How to play games with the joystick on Android

Last updated Dec 1, 2018 1,843

In some games for Android operating systems controls on the touch screen can be inconvenient, inaccurate or restrict the view object so the pleasantness of the experience. Why not use the controls of a controller? Let’s see how it is possible to play with a joystick on tablets and smartphones.

Make sure you have at hand :

Smartphone or Tablet with Android 4.3 or higher.
A joystick (PS3, Xbox, PC) or Samsung GamePad.

1.) Among the controller designed specifically for the Samsung GamePad is available on the store at a price around $ 67.95. This joystick is compatible with Samsung smartphones with screens from 4 to 6.3 inches, Bluetooth 3.0, and the system updated to at least version 4.3.

The models that meet these requirements are: Galaxy S4, Galaxy S III, Galxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note Pro, Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition, Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 3 8.0. Pocket-sized, compact, lightweight and easy to handle, the GamePad connects through NFC (Near Field Communication) and must therefore be held adjacent to or in the vicinity of the Android device, with Bluetooth turned on.

2.) The key configuration is reminiscent of the now canonical GamePad controller Sony: a stick with four directional arrows, two analog four action buttons, two triggers, start and select buttons to which you add the play button. The switching on and standby are regulated by a lever. The battery is rechargeable via MicroUSB cable connection.

To start playing with the GamePad just download the official application on smartphones ” Mobile Console “, free and available on the App Store. The installed program will provide immediate access to all the games available and compatible. You start by pressing the play button.

3.) If your device is not in the list of compatible, if it is of another brand or just do not want to buy the GamePad, you also can connect it to the controller, Play Station 3, Xbox or PC via Bluetooth or USB cable with OTG adapter (shown in picture). If you’ve already tried to have noticed that the joystick is not always recognized or the buttons do not respond fully.

The problem can be solved by installing the free application ” Tinicore KeyMapper. ” This allows you to configure the controller manually assigning the game controls to each button. You will be able to customize them and then set them as you like, even distorting the default order. The setup procedure is simple and wizard, is quite long but the result is worth the effort ..

4.) As seen, the chance to play on Android via joystick is anything but remote and unattainable. The only limitation is the still short list of games that fully support this feature, but in the near future, given the demand of the market, more and more developers make their products playful controllable via external commands. We can only wait and in the meantime play with those previously available, keeping abreast of the news.