The competitive mobile gaming landscape is set for a significant change after Konami confirmed expanded controller support for eFootball Mobile, allowing players to use physical game controllers on smartphones.
For years, eFootball Mobile — formerly PES Mobile — has relied almost entirely on touchscreen controls, creating a sharp divide between mobile players and their console counterparts.
With controller compatibility now available in select modes, the gap between mobile and console football esports is beginning to narrow.
Konami’s update allows players to connect Bluetooth controllers, including PlayStation DualShock 4, DualSense, and Xbox wireless controllers, to their mobile devices.
While support is currently limited to specific match modes such as vs AI and friend matches, the development signals a broader push toward standardised competitive gameplay.
In esports, standardisation is critical. Touchscreen controls vary widely depending on device size, screen sensitivity, and player grip, often influencing outcomes as much as skill.
Physical controllers introduce uniform input methods, making matches more predictable, skill-based, and easier to officiate during tournaments.
For tournament organisers and esports federations, this shift simplifies enforcement of competition rules and hardware requirements, a long-standing challenge in mobile esports.
Mobile gaming is the most accessible form of esports globally, particularly in Africa, Asia, and parts of South America.
Consoles and gaming PCs remain expensive, but smartphones are widespread.
By enabling controller support on mobile, Konami is effectively lowering the barrier to high-level competitive play without forcing players to invest in new platforms.
The update also enhances gameplay precision. Controllers allow more accurate passing, shooting, dribbling, and defensive positioning, reducing the accidental errors often caused by mistaps or screen lag.
For competitive players, outcomes are more likely to reflect decision-making and tactical awareness rather than device limitations.
From a viewer perspective, cleaner gameplay improves match quality, making mobile esports more broadcast-friendly and attractive to sponsors.
The development is particularly relevant for African esports ecosystems, where mobile football titles dominate grassroots competitions.
Countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa have seen a steady rise in mobile esports tournaments, many of which feed into continental and global qualifiers.
With controller support, African players training on mobile platforms can develop skills that transfer more seamlessly to console or international competitions.
This alignment increases the chances of regional talent breaking into global esports circuits.
Esports administrators have also argued that controller compatibility strengthens the case for recognising mobile football titles as legitimate competitive sports, potentially unlocking sponsorships, institutional backing, and youth development programmes.
Beyond competition, the experience itself changes dramatically for players. Controllers provide tactile feedback and intuitive button layouts that mirror traditional football gaming.
This leads to longer, less fatiguing play sessions and deeper immersion, factors that matter in high-pressure competitive environments.
Players report improved composure in matches, faster reaction times, and greater control over tactical play.
The result is a shift from fast, reaction-based gameplay toward more deliberate, strategic football simulation.
Despite the optimism, the rollout is not without challenges. Controller support is not yet universal across all game modes, and menu navigation often still requires touchscreen input.
There are also concerns about mixed matchmaking environments, where controller users may face touchscreen players, potentially creating an imbalance.