Option 1: pair a controller
macOS supports Xbox Wireless and PlayStation DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers over Bluetooth.
- Put the controller in pairing mode (Xbox: hold the pair button; PlayStation: hold Share or Create and the PS button).
- On the Mac, open System Settings › Bluetooth.
- Select the controller to connect.
Check that the game lists controller support on its store page.
Option 2: keyboard and mouse
Most twin-stick shooters map movement to WASD and aim to the mouse. It works, but splits your attention across two hands, and it is awkward on a laptop trackpad.
Option 3: a pointer-driven shooter
Some shooters are designed for the mouse from the start, so movement and aim are one motion. Captain Star works this way: your ship follows the pointer and fires where it points. It feels like a twin-stick game with the two sticks merged.
Captain Star is our top-down space shooter: you pilot a UFO through escalating alien waves, reach the star to clear each wave, and chase a high score. One pointer both moves and aims the ship. It is US$0.99 on the Mac App Store, on Steam for Windows, and on Apple TV and iPad.
Twin stick shooter Mac setups compared
| Setup | Best for | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Controller | Classic twin-stick games | Needs a pad |
| Keyboard + mouse | Desktop Macs | Split attention, poor on trackpads |
| Pointer-driven game | MacBooks, one-handed play | Only games designed for it |