Controller support at launch
Monster Hunter Outlanders supports controllers during hunts, quest activities and world exploration, according to the launch announcement from TiMi Studio Group. The official launch FAQ also lists controller support.
Complete the opening tutorial first. Controller input is temporarily unavailable during the introductory sequence. Use the touchscreen until you reach the starting village, then select Controller Mode when offered. One More Catch’s launch review documents the in-game prompt and this transition.
Core gameplay supports a controller, but some menus and tutorial prompts still need touchscreen input. Keep the screen accessible rather than assuming every interface supports controller navigation.
How to connect a controller
Pairing with your phone establishes the Bluetooth connection; the game must also recognize the controller and switch input modes.
PlayStation controller
- Turn on Bluetooth in your phone’s settings.
- Put the controller in pairing mode: on PS5 DualSense, hold Create + PS until the light flashes; on PS4 DualShock 4, hold Share + PS until it flashes. See Sony’s DualSense and DualShock 4 instructions.
- Select the controller in your phone’s Bluetooth list and wait for it to connect.
- Launch the game and complete the opening tutorial on the touchscreen. At the starting village, select Controller Mode when the game offers the switch.
Xbox controller
- Turn on your Bluetooth-capable Xbox Wireless Controller and hold its pairing button until the Xbox button flashes.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone, select the controller in the Bluetooth list and complete pairing.
- Launch the game. Complete the opening tutorial using touch, then select Controller Mode when it is offered.
If the phone shows the controller as connected but the game does not respond, follow the checks in Troubleshooting. GameWith’s launch guide describes the in-game mode switch after detection.
Default controller controls
The tables below describe the launch-version combat layout reported by GameWith and Game8. Check Settings → Controller for the controls shown on your current device and selected layout. Melee and ranged weapon attacks use different buttons. A dash means this table does not list an action for that weapon type.
PlayStation layout
| Action | Melee weapons | Ranged weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Move / camera | Left stick / right stick | Left stick / right stick |
| Basic attack | △ | R2 |
| Skill 1 / 2 / 3 | R2 / ○ / △ + ○ | △ / ○ / △ + ○ |
| Dodge or crouch | × | — |
| Sheathe | □ | — |
| Lock-on / unlock | R1 | R1 |
| Ultimate I–IV | Hold L2 + × / □ / ○ / △ | Hold L2 + × / □ / ○ / △ |
| Buddy Ultimate | L2 + R2 | L2 + R2 |
| Reload | — | Hold L2 + R1 |
Xbox layout
| Action | Melee weapons | Ranged weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Move / camera | Left stick / right stick | Left stick / right stick |
| Basic attack | Y | RT |
| Skill 1 / 2 / 3 | RT / B / Y + B | Y / B / Y + B |
| Dodge or crouch | A | — |
| Sheathe | X | — |
| Lock-on / unlock | RB | RB |
| Ultimate I–IV | Hold LT + A / X / B / Y | Hold LT + A / X / B / Y |
| Buddy Ultimate | LT + RT | LT + RT |
| Reload | — | Hold LT + RB |
Customize controller settings
Open the game menu, then Settings → Controller. The screen separates Combat, Interact with Environment, and System controls. Select a boxed action to see its available assignments, then choose a listed button. Only controls marked as customizable in the game settings can be reassigned.
GameWith’s launch-version settings guide identifies Skill 1–3, Ultimate I–IV and certain environment interactions as adjustable. It identifies Basic Attack, Roll / Crouch, Sheathe, Reload, Buddy Ultimate, Lock-on and System controls as fixed in that version. Follow the current in-game settings if a later version changes the available options.
Known limitations
Complete the opening tutorial first
Use touch for the introductory sequence and reach the starting village before enabling Controller Mode. The launch review reports that the switch becomes available after this opening.
Some menus still require touchscreen input
Controller support is not consistent across every interface. Some menus and tutorial interactions rely on touch even while hunting and exploration work with a controller. Do not assume every menu can be navigated entirely with a controller.
Button prompts
Button prompts may vary with the connected controller. Follow the icons displayed in the game for your PlayStation or Xbox controller.
Troubleshooting
Controller does not work at the beginning
Complete the opening tutorial using touch and reach the starting village before selecting Controller Mode. The opening restriction alone does not mean your controller is damaged.
Controller connected but no input in game
- Check the Bluetooth connection in your phone’s settings.
- Complete the opening tutorial and reach the starting village.
- Check whether the game has switched to Controller Mode.
- Reconnect the controller if necessary, then check for the mode-switch prompt.
Controller works in combat but not in some menus
Use touchscreen input for menus and interactions that do not support controller navigation. Controller support in hunts does not mean every interface supports the same input.
Using a controller on PC emulators
Controller input on an Android emulator depends on the emulator’s gamepad support and mapping configuration. Native game input and emulator touch mapping are separate control paths. The game’s EULA includes emulation in its player-conduct restrictions; review the applicable terms first.
Read our MHO PC & Emulator Setup Guide for platform status and vendor references. Browse promo codes or meet the Adventurers.