Why Rear Paddles Aren’t Just for Competitive Shooters – They’re Great for All Games

When most people think of controllers with rear paddles, they immediately picture competitive shooter players. Titles like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, or Fortnite have made paddles popular among pros and streamers because they allow players to jump, slide, or reload without taking their thumbs off the sticks. But the truth is, rear paddles aren’t just for competitive FPS gamers—they can enhance your experience in almost any genre.

Let’s break down why.

1. Keeping Thumbs on the Sticks Improves Control Everywhere

In shooters, this means faster reaction times. But in other genres, the benefit is just as powerful. Imagine racing games, where you can shift gears or adjust the camera without letting go of steering. Or in open-world adventures, where you can jump, sprint, or trigger an ability without interrupting movement. The more you stay in control, the smoother your gameplay feels.

2. Accessibility and Comfort

Rear paddles reduce the strain of repeatedly pressing face buttons. For players with smaller hands, limited mobility, or simply long gaming sessions, moving key inputs to paddles can make gaming more ergonomic and less fatiguing. It’s about comfort as much as performance.

3. Better Ability Management in RPGs and MOBAs

Role-playing games and action RPGs often have multiple abilities, spells, or items mapped to different buttons. With paddles, you can assign the most-used ones to your fingers, cutting down clumsy inputs. Think about cycling potions in Elden Ring, triggering ults in League of Legends: Wild Rift, or swapping weapons in The Witcher. It makes gameplay faster and more intuitive.

4. Platformers and Action Games Feel More Fluid

In fast-paced platformers like Hollow Knight, Ori, or even Celeste, paddles let you dash, jump, and attack in tighter sequences. You don’t have to stretch across the controller or risk missing a button press. It’s smoother, cleaner, and keeps you immersed.

5. Racing and Sports Games Benefit Too

In racing titles, paddles can replace gear shifts, nitro boosts, or even camera adjustments. In sports games like FIFA or NBA 2K, they can be mapped to skill moves, passes, or plays—so your thumbs stay free for precise dribbling and aiming.

6. Future-Proofing Your Controller Setup

As games continue to get more complex, standard button layouts can start to feel limited. Extra inputs mean more customization, and paddles are one of the simplest, most natural ways to expand your control options. Once you adapt, going back feels restrictive.

Final Thoughts

Rear paddles are often marketed as a competitive advantage in shooters—and they absolutely are. But their real strength is versatility. Whether you’re exploring vast RPGs, speeding around a track, or playing through story-driven adventures, paddles give you more control, more comfort, and more options.

If you’ve never tried them outside of FPS titles, give it a shot—you might find they change the way you play games altogether.

So what are you waiting for? Shop our range of controller with rear paddles today!