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Original poster

Games for people with arthritic thumbs?

3 replies

IVFNewbie · 17/12/2024 09:49

Hi! Can anyone help? My thumbs are now pretty bad and I can't use them for gaming using console controllers anyway. I used to love gaming- favourites were Witcher, CoD, Skyrim, Assassin's Creed, etc. Anyone got any ideas for RPG gaming but not needing to use thumbsticks? I could maybe manage one thumbstick but certainly not two.

OP posts:
DoAWheelie · 17/12/2024 10:14

What are you playing on? My advice would change depending on the system.

Rather than trying to pick the right game (there are pretty much no games that don't need the thumb sticks these days) you might be better off changing the control system.

The playstation access controllers can be used to turn the thumb sticks into joysticks you grip with your whole hand for movement, I use these on my bad days as my hands sometimes seize up or become excessively painful but it's a more intermittent issue for me. A PS5 also lets you plug in a keyboard and mouse and quite a few games support it (though not all).

If it's an Xbox then they have their own accessibility controller. For a switch - Nintendo tend to be useless at accessibility.

And for PC you can use keyboard/mouse and I think the playstation access and Xbox accessibility controller work on PC too. There are also tools like a Razer Tartarus for PC.

So there many options depending on what you plan on playing on. I can go into further details about how it all works if you want. So far I haven't found a game I've been unable to play even if it takes some creative thinking to get started.

CleftChin · 17/12/2024 10:18

I think you're going to need to switch to PC, so you can use keyboard/mouse (or rollerball)

I've only played The Witcher on the keyboard - although it's an adjustment switching from a controller, I kinda prefer it.

Edit - I just read PP much more comprehensive answer - I didn't realise you can use a keyboard with a PS5, I'll have to dig one out and try playing Final Fantasy with it - I think it could work quite well.

Original poster
IVFNewbie · 17/12/2024 10:37

DoAWheelie · 17/12/2024 10:14

What are you playing on? My advice would change depending on the system.

Rather than trying to pick the right game (there are pretty much no games that don't need the thumb sticks these days) you might be better off changing the control system.

The playstation access controllers can be used to turn the thumb sticks into joysticks you grip with your whole hand for movement, I use these on my bad days as my hands sometimes seize up or become excessively painful but it's a more intermittent issue for me. A PS5 also lets you plug in a keyboard and mouse and quite a few games support it (though not all).

If it's an Xbox then they have their own accessibility controller. For a switch - Nintendo tend to be useless at accessibility.

And for PC you can use keyboard/mouse and I think the playstation access and Xbox accessibility controller work on PC too. There are also tools like a Razer Tartarus for PC.

So there many options depending on what you plan on playing on. I can go into further details about how it all works if you want. So far I haven't found a game I've been unable to play even if it takes some creative thinking to get started.

Amazing! Thank you. I am on Xbox S series (the newest one). I think I need to explore mouse and keyboard.

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