Here you’ll find information about accessible gaming resources and organizations. For a list of video games with audio description, visit the Video Games page (under Where to Find AD).
Getting Started with Accessible Gaming
Here are a few tips to get started with exploring accessible games:
- Start with the devices you already have. Many people likely already have a smart phone, tablet, or computer.
- Start with simpler games to get used to how games work before becoming overwhelmed with more complex games.
- Explore the links on this page, as many have user forums where people ask and answer questions about tech and gaming.
- Some mainstream games, while not accessible out of the box, do have user created mods, that add accessibility after a game has been out for a while. It’s too much to go into here, but a few examples are Hearthstone, Doom, Stardew Valley, and many more.
Accessible Gaming Resources
Here are a variety of links to resources on video game accessibility, for players and for anyone interested in pursuing work in the game accessibility field.
Able Gamers is an organization dedicated to making gaming more accessible to people with all abilities, including working with people to create custom gaming setups. Their Player Panels program is also a great way for people to make their voices heard.
Users can register for a free account, and choose their own game accessibility needs. They can then look up games that meet those specific requirements.
AppleVis has become one of the definitive resources for finding information on all things Apple accessibility. They have a Mac and IOS accessible app directory, (including games categories), and active forums.
This is the definitive place to go to find information about audio games for PC, console, and mobile. There is an audio games directory of games, and very active user forum.
ByoWave Proteus Adaptive Controller
This controller allows a user to create their own custom layout for the controller itself.
This is a good website to check for family friendly games that everyone can play. Games in their database also have an accessibility section that details a specific game’s accessibility features.
GAConf is currently held twice per year as a hybrid event, in Europe in the spring, and in North America in the fall. This conference has sessions from players, developers, advocates, and more.
GAConf YouTube Channel Archives
For the past several years, each session of GAConf has been archived here.
This website has an easy-to-follow set of guidelines developers can follow to better improve the accessibility of their games, including different levels of difficulty in integration, and references for many of the guidelines.
Inclusive Android is a similar website to AppleVis, that offers information and resources for accessible Android apps and games.
Logitech G Gaming Kit for the Microsoft Adaptive Controller
This add-on kit adds accessible control options to the adaptive controller’s button and analog stick ports.
This adaptive controller supports XBOX systems and PC, and offers a modular controller design that can be combined with other input methods like switches, joysticks, and other controls.
It’s a different design, but Sony also offers a modular accessible controller for its modern PlayStation systems.
SpecialEffect is a similar organization to Able Gamers, and offers a variety of access services.
Taking Video Out of the Game: A Game Developer's Guide to Total Blind Accessibility
Taking Video Out of the Game: A Game Developer’s Guide to Total Blind Accessibility by Brandon Cole is a comprehensive resource aimed at video game developers seeking to make their games accessible to totally blind players. Drawing from his extensive experience as an accessibility consultant on AAA titles like The Last of Us Part I & II, Cole provides both historical context and practical guidelines for integrating blind accessibility into game design.
The book is divided into two main sections:
- The Story of Accessibility: This section explores the evolution of video game accessibility, from early text-based games and audio games to the current state of blind accessibility in mainstream AAA titles.
- Guidelines for Blind Accessibility in Games: Cole offers actionable advice on implementing blind-friendly features, including narration, audio cues, navigation, combat mechanics, puzzles, and open-world exploration. He emphasizes the importance of thoughtful audio design and the need to consider accessibility from the outset of game development.
Game Accessibility Resources (YouTube Links)
Game Accessibility Demos Playlist
These are short clips (between 30 seconds and a couple of minutes long) that showcase different games and different types of game accessibility, such as menu narration, text size, audio cues, navigation assists, high contrast modes, etc. These are all mainstream games that have added some type of accessibility features.
Accessibility Game Spotlights
- The Last of Us 1 Remastered
- The Last of Us 2
- Forza Motorsport
- Brok the InvestiGator
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Toby Doom 8.0
Behind the Scenes of Game Accessibility Consulting
To give people an idea of what it's like to do game accessibility consulting work, this video shows an accessibility consultant testing the Diablo 4 beta. He examines and evaluates different things to suggest accessibility improvements.
IllegallySighted YouTube Channel
This YouTube channel is run by one of SSB’s (MN State Services for the Blind’s) technology specialists, and covers technology, gaming, and XR (virtual, augmented, and mixed reality) accessibility as a legally blind user.
NOTE: This channel has no affiliation with SSB.
For interviews with game developers regarding creating accessible games, join the following YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkhHMlgPSRTy1H9U3b2MeUw?sub_confirmation=1.
DiannaPlaysGames is a YouTube channel where Dianna, a visually impaired gamer, shares her journey through the world of accessible gaming. Her content focuses on demonstrating how blind and low-vision players can enjoy video games, highlighting accessible features and providing insights into her gaming experiences. Through her videos, Dianna aims to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility in gaming and to inspire both developers and players to embrace inclusive gaming practices.
Playlists people may find helpful:
Low Vision Spotlight- games played with some usable vision.
PC, PS4/5, XBOX, & IOS Accessible Game Spotlight – Games that can be played with no usable vision.
IOS Accessible App Spotlights – Apps that are blind accessible.
Accessible AI – Apps and tools that use AI to offer some accessibility benefit to users.
Growing Up IllegallySighted – Videos that answer common questions people have, and other topics like school, college, employment, etc.
Toby Accessibility Doom Mod – Playlist dedicated to making this classic game blind accessible.
Assistive Technology Spotlight – Various AT related videos.
Podcasts, Presentations, & Interviews – Some professional presentation work.
Game & VR Accessibility playlists – Specific topic videos related to these areas of accessibility
Blind Accessible Game Examples
As more games are being developed and updated to be accessible all the time, this isn’t a definitive list. All of these games have been covered on the IllegallySighted YouTube channel in some form, as well as by many other blind and low vision players on both YouTube and Twitch. This is just a quick list to get people started. There are many more accessible games available.
PC/Console Games
The Last of Us Part 1 and 2 Remastered (PS5 & PC)
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PS5)
God of War Ragnarok (PS5)
Mortal Kombat 1 (PS5, XBOX Series X/S, & PC)
Brok the InvestiGator (PC, XBOX Series X/S, PS5, Switch)
Diablo IV (PC, XBOX Series X/S, PS5)
The Vale (XBOX Series X/S & PC)
Forza Motorsport (XBOX Series X/S & PC)
Luck Be a Landlord (PC)
As Dusk Falls (XBOX Series X/S, PC, PS5)
Arcade Spirits Series (PC)
Slay the Princess (PC)
Blind Drive (PC & Mobile)
SkullGirls (PC)
A Blind Legend (PC & Mobile)
Code 7 (PC)
Alt Frequencies (PC)
Audio Wizards (PC & Mobile)
Stories of Blossom (PC, XBOX Series X/S)
Lost and Hound (PC)
Periphery Synthetic (PC)
Mobile Accessible Games (All on IOS, some on Android)
For a list of more than 200 accessible mobile games join the Mobile Accessible Games group at www.MobileAccessibleGames.com. This group is dedicated to finding and reviewing mobile games that are accessible to the blind and visually impaired community. Currently, 3,500 members belong to this gaming group.
Dice World
Accessible 2048
A Dark Room
Crafting Kingdom
Lost Vault
Warshovel
Dawncaster
Conjury
Blackbox
Timecrest
Fruit Pot series
Westopia
Blindfold Games series
Swordy Quest
FEER
Frequency Missing
Evidence 111
Blind Drive
Space Encounter
Audio Moto Championship & Audio Rally Racing
A Blind Legend
Audio Wizards
7 Little Words
Zanagrams