How to Pick Games

"What Games are Accessible?"

We get this question a lot, and the answer is almost always: it depends. Accessibility is highly personal. Whether a game works for you depends on several factors:

What genre of game do you enjoy?
What gaming system (PC, Console, Mobile) are you using?
Do you want to play online with others or solo?
What specific accessibility settings (visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor) do you require?
How many physical inputs (switches, buttons, joysticks) can you reliably use?

Because this is such a personalized question, we recommend using dedicated resources to find the specific features you need. Find these below.

Resources for Finding Accessible Games

Rather than listing every game, we recommend these databases which are maintained by experts and disabled gamers:

AbleToPlay: This site allows you to create a personalized profile based on your specific needs. It then generates customized game recommendations and "compatibility scores" to show how well a game might work for you.
CanIPlayThat: A fantastic resource featuring deep-dive articles and reviews on game accessibility and hardware written by disabled gamers themselves.
Family Gaming Database: A massive database of board and video games. You can select the specific features in a game you are looking for and filter or pick from a list of common features to find games. This can help a ton when looking for games with specific accessibility features or games that “can be played with one switch”.
- They also allow you to filter by age, genre, etc. so this can be a great resource if you are specifically filtering for games for children.

General Guidance for Input Levels

Different genres of games require different levels of physical coordination and button complexity. If you are just starting your gaming journey or want games with limited controls needed, beginning with a "Low Input" genre can help reduce frustration while you get used to your assistive technology.

A Note on Experience

Choosing a game with lower input requirements does not mean sacrificing the quality of your experience. There is an incredible variety of art styles, deep storytelling, and immersive worlds within the "Low" and "Medium" input categories. Start where you feel comfortable and expand your library as you master your setup!

Input Level Definitions

High: Frequently requires two joysticks and multiple buttons that may need to be held simultaneously.
Medium: Often requires two joysticks and several buttons.
Low: Typically requires only one joystick and a limited number of buttons, or in some cases, 1-2 buttons only.

Reaction Speed Definitions

High: Requires rapid button presses, high-precision joystick movements, and immediate reflexes to avoid failure.
Medium: Requires steady reactions to environmental changes, but usually provides a small window for error or predictable patterns.
Low: Turn-based or slow-paced gameplay where the player has ample time to think and act without penalty.

Genre Comparison

In general, genres often follow a similar playstyle. Therefore, to give some guidance, we broke down a list of popular genres and listed out their ussual input/reaction speed requirements:

Generalized Genre Comparison for Input and Reaction Speed

Genre	Input Level	Reaction Speed	Description	Examples
Puzzle	Low	Low	Requires solving logic problems or navigating cognitively geared challenges. Often turn-based with no time pressure.	Portal, Candy Crush, Hidden Folks, Donut County
Platformer	Low	Medium	Usually 2D movement (left/right) with jumping and basic actions to navigate levels.	Super Mario Bros, Celeste, Cuphead
Fighting	Low	High	Combat between characters, often on a 2D plane. Can be played against friends or the computer.	Brawlhalla, Street Fighter, Dragon Ball Fighter Z
Racing	Low	Med-High	Competitive or free-roam driving. Many offer "auto-drive" or simplified steering assists.	Mario Kart, Need for Speed, Dirt 5
Sandbox	Medium	Low	Players enter a world to customize, shape, and create their own path with little to no forced storyline.	Minecraft, Terraria, Stardew Valley
Sports	Medium	Medium	Simulates professional sports where you manage a team or play as an individual athlete.	Nintendo Switch Sports, FIFA, NHL
Action / Adventure	High	High	Story-driven games featuring exploration and combat. Requires complex camera and character movement.	Spider-Man, Assassin's Creed, Far Cry
Shooter / Battle Royale	High	High	Fast-paced games played from a first-person perspective requiring high precision aiming and quick reactions.	Call of Duty, Fortnite, Doom
MOBA	High	High	Large-scale strategy games where teams work together to defeat the opposition in real-time.	League of Legends, Dota 2, Smite

Examples

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Adventure)

This is a third-person action game where you navigate Lara Croft through dangerous environments. It requires the use of two joysticks (one for movement and one for the camera) and often requires precision aiming and shooting. While there are "stealth" and exploration sections that are slower, the intense combat and "Quick Time Event" sequences require almost every button on a standard controller to be used with very fast reaction times.

Input Level: High
- Requires dual-analog stick coordination and simultaneous button presses for jumping/climbing.
Reaction Speed: High
- Combat and environmental traps require immediate, precise responses to stay alive.

Check out gameplay here:

Minecraft (Sandbox)

Minecraft is a world-building game where you explore and create. To play fully, you do need two joysticks to move and look around, and you will use various buttons to build, mine, and manage your inventory. However, the game is largely taken at your own pace. By playing on "Peaceful" mode, you can remove all enemies, which eliminates the need for fast reaction speeds and allows for a stress-free creative experience.

Input Level: High
- Requires two joysticks and multiple button inputs for inventory management and building.
Reaction Speed: Low
- In creative or peaceful mode, there are no threats, allowing players to take as much time as needed for any action.

Check out gameplay here:

Dirt 5 (Racing)

Dirt 5 is a rally racing game focused on off-road tracks. Racing games are excellent for alternative access because they can often be simplified; you primarily need one joystick to steer and two triggers (or buttons) for gas and brake. While the input count is low, the reaction speed is medium-to-high because the player must constantly react to turns, other drivers, and changing terrain to stay on the track.

Input Level: Low
- Can be played with just one joystick and two primary buttons for acceleration/braking.
Reaction Speed: Medium-High
- Requires steady reflexes to navigate corners and maintain speed against competitors.

Check out gameplay here:

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