Best Game Controller For Mac
Apple computers, like all of the company’s products, are supposed to be more intuitive and user-friendly than the alternative. Generally that is true, but there are some areas where Macs clearly fall behind the competition. Gaming is one such area.
- But if you insist on playing PC games away from your mouse and keyboard and want to replicate their functionality as closely as possible, the Steam Controller is the best game in town.
- Retro – Bit 8Bitdo RB8 – 64 Wireless Bluetooth N64 Styled Controller for iOS, Android, PC, Mac, Linux Buy on Amazon – $38.97 If you want to game in style with a more retro and traditional controller from the popular N64, consider using this model that is very compatible with different consoles and devices.
- The best 10 Controller-support games for Mac OS daily generated by our specialised A.I. Comparing over 40 000 video games across all platforms. This list includes Splasher, Castle Invasion: Throne Out, Sportsfriends, Airport Madness: World Edition and 6 more for Mac OS.
- If not I am interested in any suggestions of good gaming controllers for the Mac. From what I remember, the XBOX 360 controller for Windows has a USB plug on it but isn't a true USB device. So I don't think it would work on a Mac (including use with USB OverDrive).
- The Sony DualShock 4 Wireless Controller (the newer CUH-ZCT2 model) is the best PC game controller for most people. 1 It’s comfortable to hold for long periods of time, it’s responsive, it works over both Bluetooth and Micro-USB, and it works great with Steam, the place where most PC gamers get their games. It also has some nice extra features that few other controllers have, such as an internal rechargeable battery and a touchpad that can simulate a mouse cursor.
Gamers who want to use a Mac shouldn’t give up hope, however. The experience is not as simple as it is with Windows, but with the right software and hardware, it’s still possible to have an experience similar to what PC gamers enjoy. Here’s what you need to know – and buy – to get the most out of Mac gaming.
I like this controller a lot (one big con doesn't work with some pc games) but if you're looking for a controller for like your phone, this controller with do it for you perfectly' ' Nice remote control for windows computer or mac. Retro – Bit 8Bitdo RB8 – 64 Wireless Bluetooth N64 Styled Controller for iOS, Android, PC, Mac, Linux Buy on Amazon – $38.97 If you want to game in style with a more retro and traditional controller from the popular N64, consider using this model that is very compatible with different consoles and devices.
Find Games for Mac
Gaming on the Mac turned a corner when the old PowerPC processors were kicked to the curb in favour of Intel x86 processors, identical to those used in PCs. This has made it easier for developers to port over to the Mac, or develop a PC and Mac version in tandem, so there’s now a fair selection of titles. We’ve recently rounded up some great picks in top-ten lists for strategy games on Mac10 Great Strategy Games You Can Play On Your Mac10 Great Strategy Games You Can Play On Your MacMac gaming can be frustrating at times. The problem is finding games that are available on the platform. Even today, after Steam’s adoption of the Mac, finding games to play can be difficult. That doesn’t..Read More and role-playing games on MacThe 10 Best Role-Playing Games for MacThe 10 Best Role-Playing Games for MacGaming on a Mac used to be tough. Now you have a huge variety of massive RPGs you can play natively! Here are ten RPGs all Mac gamers should play.Read More.
Major digital game stores like Steam, GOG and Origin now have Mac sections with a wide variety of entries both new and old. While the majority of games are still released for PC exclusively, many of the largest and most popular titles come to Mac as well, so the selection’s not bad at all. Recent games like Starcraft II, DOTA2, Civilization V and Borderlands 2 are available, among others. Prices are usually the same for the Mac version, and in some cases, buying one copy of the game provides a PC and a Mac copy.
Amazon is also a great place to look for Mac games, as you’ll often find older titles that haven’t made their way to digital platforms for one reason or another. You can pick up Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic for $9.99, as well as classics like Roller Coaster Tycoon and Civilization IV (but make sure you’re not buying PowerPC versions).
Buy Windows (or Download WINE)
The selection of games for OS X has certainly increased since Apple decided to switch to Intel processors, but Mac owners still miss out on a lot. Steam, for example, lists a 750 games, which seems like a huge number – but it’s not a lot compared to the thousands Windows users can enjoy. Serious gamers will miss out on some must-play titles by sticking to OS X.
There are two different paths that provide access to Windows games. The most complicated one involves installing Windows through Boot CampHow to Run Windows 10 Natively on Mac: The Good, Bad, and UglyHow to Run Windows 10 Natively on Mac: The Good, Bad, and UglyWhile Mac OS X works well for most tasks, there are times when it just can't do what you want it to. More often than not this means running Windows on your Mac.Read More or using a virtualization environment like ParallelsParallels Desktop 13: The Best Virtual Machine for macOS?Parallels Desktop 13: The Best Virtual Machine for macOS?Want to run Windows apps on your Mac? Parallels Desktop can have your Windows 10 installation up and running in under 10 seconds.Read More. We’ve already covered each in previous articles, so check the links for more information.
The advantage to going with Windows is that you’ll obtain the best performance and compatibility possible on your Mac. For all the games are concerned, you’re actually playing on a PC. This is balanced by cost and convenience, however, as you’ll have to buy Windows and then boot into that OS whenever you want to play a game.
Those on a budget might want to try WINE instead. This free program uses Windows APIs to launch PC executables without booting into the Windows operating system. Sounds great, right? Best place to buy microsoft office for mac. The downside is limited compatibility, performance sacrifices and lack of support. If WINE seems complicated, you can instead try using WineBottler to run Windows apps on MacHow to Run Windows Programs on Your Mac Using WineBottlerHow to Run Windows Programs on Your Mac Using WineBottlerRead More.
Grab a Gaming Mouse and Xbox 360 Controller
The navigation devices used by Apple are pretty nice for browsing the web, but gaming? Not so much. The shortage of buttons, poor resolution and reliance on multi-touch makes the average Mac mouse rather useless for gamers.
Most third-party replacements are Windows only, but there are some alternatives. These include the Steelseries Diablo III, MadCatz R.A.T. 5 and most of Razer’s products. It’s important to note that while almost any mouse will “work” with OS X, the special drivers and functions a gaming mouse provides may not be functional if the mouse doesn’t specifically state it offers Mac support.
While you’re at it, you should also pick up an Xbox 360 controller. Microsoft’s gamepad is sort of an industry standard now, and most titles ported to the PC/Mac from console will assume any gamepad connected is a 360 controller (rather than, say, a Dual Shock 3).
The controller doesn’t explicitly support Mac, but an independent user has created a 360 controller driver that works with both the wired and wireless versions. You will also need to buy the Microsoft Wireless Gaming Receiver to use a wireless controller, so a wired controller might be a better choice for budget gamers. If you have a PS3 controller you’d prefer to use, you can read our guide on connecting controllers to a MacHow To Connect a Game Controller To Your MacHow To Connect a Game Controller To Your MacI used to play most of my games on the computer. All of that changed when the next (that is, current) generation of consoles came out. For one, these devices had a considerable assortment of..Read More without having to buy anything else.
Buy A Cooling Pad (If You Have A MacBook)
I’ve owned and reviewed a few MacBooks in my time, and something I’ve noticed is their tendency to run very hot when playing modern 3D games. This is actually true of most laptops not built specifically for gaming, PC or Mac, but there are no MacBooks built with gaming in mind.
The heat probably won’t damage your hardware, but it can damage your experience, as the toasty keyboard will become uncomfortable within minutes. A cooling pad can help solve the problem without much expense. Some great options include the Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim, Targus Chill Mat and Logitech N315. The Logitech is particularly nice for travellers because it has a built-in retractable mouse pad.
What You Don’t Need, But Want: External Graphics Card
The tips provided so far will pretty much get you up to speed with Mac gaming. You’ll have the ability to play Windows titles, a nice mouse, a gamepad, and a cooler to keep your MacBook humming along. There’s nothing else you need to do, but there is something else – a rather crazy something else – you can do. Add a graphics card.
Apple
You see, Thunderbolt has a nifty feature that’s not often discussed; the ability to act as a PCIe bridge. In other words, it can communicate in a language video cards understand. And a fellow who goes by the name of Kloper at Tech Inferno figured out how to use that capability to connect an external graphics card to a MacBook Air. His build requires about $250 worth of equipment in addition to the video card itself.
As you might expect, the hack is a bit complex, but it’s not all that bad and contains no real risk; worse come to worse, you can just give up and return the parts you purchased. The real downside to this is that the finished external card is rather bulky and requires its own power supply, so this is only practical for gaming at home.
Game On
Game Controller For Mac Best Buy
You now know everything you need to play games on your Mac as well as you would on a PC. You’ll have access to just as many titles, you’ll have great peripherals, and you’ll have a setup that runs cool under load. What more could a gamer ask for?
Add your tips for getting the most out of an Apple computer’s gaming potential in the comments, below.
Explore more about: Game Controller, Mac Game, Virtualization.
I am fortunate. I have a 2TB hard drive in my iMac. So what I did was give windows 1TB for all of my gaming. My mac can handle most games out there on high without a problem. I also added more RAM which helps with performance. I think if you want games then you really need to go with windows through bootcamp, it will save you a lot of trouble and you will get much better performance.
I fear WINE is not a real alternative to Virtualization / Bootcamp. Generally, WINE requires experience, fiddling, trial and error. Even then success is rare (plus in my experience games that run under WINE in Debian don't necessarily run under WINE on Mac. The easiest way to use WINE on Mac is to download a game pre-bottled w/ WINE bottler by someone better than you. But those are usually pre-cracked and definitely not legal :(
Virtualization has issues w/ 3D acceleration (both Parallels and Virtualbox never tried VMware). Only Bootcamp is a sure thing.
Downside: Installing windows as a primary system on Mac is like drowning a puppy - very sad. The Mac will heat up, the life expectancy (specially fans) will suffer, the battery life will go to (almost) zero (of course if battery was used) . But it is the only really reliable way to game :(
Anyway, the situation is changing for the better. Steam runs natively on Mac (&Linux :D)