Although PC players will have towait longer forGTA 6than their console counterparts, they can revisitGTA 5with all the benefits of modern gaming technology. The decade-old game recently received an enhanced version that significantly improves its visuals and performance.

This update introduces new features such as improved anti-aliasing, ray tracing, and enhanced audio. These upgrades make afresh playthrough well worth considering. If you’re a new player finally diving intoGTA 5, your first decision will be whether to play with a keyboard and mouse or a controller. Don’t worry — the guide below breaks down the pros and cons of each and helps you decide which option is best.

gta 5 controller support

Keyboard & Controller Support For GTA 5

Keyboard Support On PC

GTA 5offers excellent keyboard and mouse support, providing all the essential options you’d expect, including sensitivity adjustments, raw mouse input, and full key rebinding. This means even arrow-key players can comfortably play the game.

However, flying helicopters and planes with a keyboard and mouse can be challenging for some players. Additionally, a keyboard lacks the relaxed,couch-friendly experiencethat a controller provides.

gta 5 cars on road

Controller Support On PC

As expected, controller support forGTA 5is excellent, which makes sense given that the game was originally a console exclusive before arriving on PC. It offers a variety of customization options, including separate sensitivity settings for first- and third-person modes, as well as adjustable dead zones.

To compensate for some of the controller’s limitations — such as aiming — Rockstar has implemented three types of aim assist:

Grand Theft Auto 5 Tag Page Cover Art

If you play GTA Online with Assisted Aim - Full or Partial enabled, you’ll be placed in lobbies with other players using the same setting.

That said, controllers still have some drawbacks. Driving and shooting simultaneously can be cumbersome, and the game doesn’t offer full controller rebinding like it does for keyboards. It does, however, have several alternative presets.

A screenshot from Grand Theft Auto 5 showing main characters Michael, Trevor, and Franklin

Which Input Device To Choose In GTA 5?

GTA 5plays well with both a controller and a keyboard and mouse, but each has its own limitations. The best choice depends on which game mode you plan to play.

Choosing a Controller

Acontroller is ideal for the single-player campaign, asGTA 5offers much more than just shooting. You’ll spend a lot of time driving and exploring, which feels smoother and more comfortable with a controller. Plus, you can sit back and relax on your couch or chair while playing.

Choosing Keyboard and Mouse

A keyboard and mouse are the better option forGTA Online, where fast, precise aiming is crucial. A mouse allows for quicker reactions and easier targeting compared to a controller. The relaxed experience of a controller doesn’t matter much inGTA Onlineanyway, as the game mode is fast-paced and extremely hectic.

A keyboard and mouse also work great in the campaign. So, if you don’t want to learn the game’s controls on both a controller and a keyboard — and you plan to playGTA Online— then it’s best to stick with a keyboard and mouse from the start.

Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 5 Are Still Selling Very Well

A helicopter flying over the highways and skyscrapers at sunset in Los Santos in GTA 5-1

Grand Theft Auto 6 Los Santos Skyline

Los Santos in Grand Theft Auto 5