Best PS5 Games for Backbone Controllers (Updated)

Want to play your PS5 games anywhere? Here’s what works best with Backbone

Have you ever wished you could take your PS5 gaming experience beyond the living room? The Backbone One controller transforms your mobile device into a portable gaming powerhouse, allowing you to stream your favorite PlayStation 5 titles through PS Remote Play. But not all games perform equally well when streamed to a smaller screen with potential connection variables.

Let’s explore which PS5 games truly shine when played through a Backbone controller, breaking them down by gameplay style and explaining why certain titles are better suited for this mobile gaming approach.

Why game selection matters for Backbone play

When streaming PS5 games to your mobile device, certain game types work better than others due to:

• Input latency considerations – Some games require split-second timing that can be affected by streaming delays
• Visual clarity on smaller screens – Detailed interfaces or small text can become illegible
• Session flexibility – Games that allow quick saves or natural break points fit mobile lifestyles better

With these factors in mind, let’s dive into the PS5 games that provide exceptional experiences through your Backbone controller.

Turn-based and strategy titles: perfect Backbone companions

Turn-based games shine brightest on Backbone because they don’t demand immediate reflexes and forgive any streaming hiccups. These titles let you take your time, making them ideal for mobile play.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth stands out as one of the most satisfying experiences on Backbone. The hybrid turn-based combat system gives you breathing room to assess situations and input commands without rushing, making it forgiving when played remotely.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Combat system pauses for command input, eliminating timing concerns
• Vibrant art style remains clear and legible on mobile screens
• Side activities like Queen’s Blood card game work beautifully in short mobile sessions
• Natural break points allow for flexible play sessions

Persona 3 Reload & Persona 5 Royal

Both Persona titles deliver remarkable value for Backbone players with their turn-based combat systems perfectly suited for remote play. The games’ clear UI elements remain readable on mobile screens, and many players report completing entire Persona adventures via remote play with minimal issues.

What makes them perfect for Backbone:

• Turn-based battles remove pressure of split-second timing
• Clean, stylized interfaces translate well to smaller screens
• Mixture of dungeon crawling and social sim elements provides varied gameplay
• Natural day/night cycle creates obvious stopping points

Unicorn Overlord

Vanillaware’s strategy RPG Unicorn Overlord excels on the Backbone with its deliberate pace and tactical combat that doesn’t suffer from the limitations of remote play. The stunning art direction pops even on smaller screens.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Tactical combat requires thought rather than reflexes
• Distinctive art style remains clear on mobile displays
• Command-based interaction works well with controller inputs
• Strategic depth remains uncompromised in the mobile format

Baldur’s Gate 3

This critically acclaimed RPG adapts surprisingly well to Backbone play. The turn-based combat system waits patiently for your input, letting you carefully consider actions without time pressure—ideal for streaming environments.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Turn-based combat eliminates timing concerns
• Can pause anytime to assess situations
• Deep storytelling works well in personal, handheld format
• Long play sessions can be broken into smaller chunks

Roguelikes and card games: ideal for shorter sessions

Games with procedural elements and discrete runs shine on Backbone, delivering engaging gameplay in manageable sessions perfect for on-the-go play.

Hades

This award-winning roguelike consistently ranks among the best games for remote play. While it’s action-oriented, the room-by-room structure provides natural breaks between encounters, and the vibrant art style remains clear on mobile screens.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Discrete room-by-room progression offers natural pauses
• Clear, bold art style translates well to smaller displays
• Controls map effectively to the Backbone layout
• Run-based structure fits perfectly with mobile play sessions

Vampire Survivors

Frequently cited as one of the best games for remote play devices, Vampire Survivors requires only movement inputs, making it ideal for the Backbone controller. The auto-shooting bullet hell gameplay creates a satisfying experience that works brilliantly on mobile.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Simplified controls (movement only) work flawlessly with Backbone
• Clear visual feedback despite chaotic on-screen action
• Run-based structure perfect for mobile play sessions
• Minimal impact from potential input lag

Balatro

This poker-inspired roguelike card game is tailor-made for Backbone sessions. Since you can take your time making decisions between card plays, it’s perfectly suited for remote play environments where timing might fluctuate.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Turn-based card gameplay eliminates timing concerns
• Clear card designs and UI remain legible on mobile screens
• Short runs fit perfectly with on-the-go gaming sessions
• Thoughtful gameplay unaffected by streaming variables

Narrative adventures: cinematic experiences on the go

Story-driven games with deliberate pacing excel on the Backbone controller, offering immersive narratives you can enjoy anywhere.

Disco Elysium

This narrative-heavy RPG feels custom-made for remote play on Backbone. With minimal action sequences and a focus on dialogue and investigation, Disco Elysium doesn’t demand quick reflexes—just your attention to its fascinating world and characters.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Text-focused gameplay works well with careful reading on mobile
• No reflex-testing sequences to worry about
• Rich storytelling creates an immersive handheld experience
• Pause-friendly gameplay allows for interruptions

Stray

The cat adventure game Stray performs excellently on remote play devices. Its clear visual design and relaxed pace (aside from occasional chase sequences) make it work wonderfully on Backbone, allowing you to explore its post-apocalyptic world from anywhere.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Clean visual style remains clear on smaller screens
• Largely exploration-based gameplay works well with streaming
• Intuitive controls map perfectly to the Backbone layout
• Atmospheric experience feels intimate on a handheld device

The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe

This narrative-driven experience requires minimal quick reflexes, making it perfect for remote play on Backbone. The focus on exploration and story means it’s forgiving of any potential input lag, and its clean visual design ensures everything remains visible on smaller screens.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Walking simulator design eliminates timing concerns
• Clean, minimalist visuals translate perfectly to mobile
• Narrative focus creates an engaging handheld experience
• Short, branching paths perfect for mobile play sessions

Action games that surprisingly excel

While action games can be challenging via remote play, these titles have been specifically noted to perform exceptionally well on mobile devices with controllers.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Surprisingly, Spider-Man 2 delivers an excellent experience on remote play devices like the Backbone. The fluid swinging mechanics and combat translate remarkably well to mobile, with haptics and adaptive triggers carrying over to the portable experience in a satisfying way.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Fluid movement systems remain responsive despite streaming
• Vibrant visuals pop on mobile LCD screens
• Combat timing is forgiving enough for remote play
• Open world structure allows for flexible play sessions

Astro Bot

Both the new Astro Bot and the pre-installed Astro’s Playroom are frequently recommended for Backbone play. The clean, colorful visuals remain crystal clear on mobile screens, and the straightforward platforming controls work seamlessly with the Backbone controller.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Bold, clean visual style perfectly legible on smaller screens
• Simple control scheme maps well to Backbone
• Forgiving platforming doesn’t require frame-perfect timing
• Level-based structure creates natural breaking points

Returnal

Though Returnal is an intense action roguelike, it’s consistently mentioned as one of the best games for remote play. The game’s high-contrast visuals remain legible on smaller screens, and the ability to save mid-run ensures you won’t lose progress if your connection drops.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• High-contrast visual design remains clear on mobile displays
• Run-based structure fits mobile play patterns
• Save system accommodates potential connection interruptions
• Responsive controls translate well to Backbone

Relaxing and casual experiences: perfect for anywhere

Games focused on creativity and relaxation offer ideal experiences for Backbone sessions in any environment.

Disney Dreamlight Valley

This life simulation adventure game is ideal for remote play, offering a relaxed pace that works perfectly with the Backbone controller. Managing your village, interacting with Disney characters, and completing quests translate wonderfully to mobile play.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• No time-sensitive actions to worry about
• Clean UI remains legible on smaller screens
• Activity-based structure allows for short play sessions
• Colorful visuals pop on mobile displays

Animal Well

This PS1-styled exploration game built around discovering secrets as a blob through various dungeons works beautifully on Backbone. The retro pixel art remains crystal clear on mobile screens, and the gameplay doesn’t suffer from potential input lag.

What makes it perfect for Backbone:

• Pixel art style perfectly suited for smaller screens
• Exploration-based gameplay doesn’t require precise timing
• Simple control scheme maps naturally to Backbone
• Atmospheric experience feels intimate on handheld

Making the most of your Backbone PS5 experience

The best PS5 games for Backbone gaming share key characteristics that make them ideal for mobile play through PS Remote Play:

• Forgiving timing requirements – Games that don’t rely heavily on split-second inputs
• Clear visual design – Titles with distinct art styles that remain legible on smaller screens
• Flexible session structure – Games that accommodate shorter play sessions or interruptions
• Natural control mapping – Titles whose control schemes translate well to the Backbone layout

While the Backbone One PlayStation Edition doesn’t fully replicate all features of the DualSense controller (like adaptive triggers), it still provides an impressive way to enjoy your PS5 library remotely.

Your portable PlayStation is ready

The combination of a Backbone controller and PS Remote Play has transformed how we can experience PlayStation gaming, breaking free from the living room and taking our favorite titles anywhere. By focusing on the games that work best in this format, you’ll maximize your enjoyment and minimize frustration.

Whether you’re diving into the turn-based depth of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, swinging through New York in Spider-Man 2, or relaxing with Disney Dreamlight Valley, these games prove that PlayStation gaming can now truly follow you wherever you go.

What PS5 games have you enjoyed playing through your Backbone controller? Share your experiences in the comments below!