The Ultimate Guide to Playing Games on Smart TVs with a Keyboard
With smart TVs becoming more and more popular, many people are realizing they can do a lot more than just watch Netflix on them. In fact, you can play full-fledged games on your smart TV just like you would on a PC or console! All you need is the right accessories, like a wireless keyboard, to transform your smart TV into a mini gaming rig.
In this guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about gaming on smart TVs with a keyboard. We‘ll look at:
- What games you can play on smart TVs
- The best keyboards for smart TV gaming
- How to connect a keyboard to your smart TV
- Tips for the optimal smart TV gaming setup
- Recommended games to try with a keyboard
Let‘s get started!
What Games Can I Play on My Smart TV?
Most modern smart TVs run on either Android TV or webOS, which means you can access the Google Play Store or LG Content Store to download compatible games. There are thousands of casual games, retro arcade games, racing games, RPGs, and more optimized for playing on your TV.
Some popular titles you may recognize include classics like Pac-Man, Sonic the Hedgehog, Final Fantasy, and Grand Theft Auto. Major game studios like Gameloft create TV versions of their hit franchises like Asphalt 8 Racing and Modern Combat versus. There are also plenty of fun indie games to discover.
Streaming game services like Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now let you play more graphically intense games by using remote servers to handle processing. And if you have an Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch, you can stream games wirelessly from those consoles to your smart TV.
Choosing the Right Keyboard for Smart TV Gaming
To properly play games on your smart TV, a wireless keyboard is a must-have accessory. Here are some factors to consider when choosing one:
- Connectivity: Look for a keyboard that connects via Bluetooth or wireless USB receiver. This allows you to sit back comfortably on the couch while gaming.
- Layout: A compact keyboard with squished keys can be frustrating to game on. Prioritize ones with full-sized, comfortably spaced keys.
- Battery life: Nothing‘s worse than a keyboard dying mid-game. Get one with at least 30+ hours of battery for uninterrupted gaming.
- Responsiveness: For fast-paced action games, you want keys that are highly responsive and don‘t have a sluggish feel.
- Extra media keys: Media control keys for volume, playback etc. are convenient to have without navigating TV menus.
Based on these criteria, the Ambolove F20 Wireless Mini Keyboard is one of the best options for smart TV gaming. Key features:
- Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity up to 30ft away
- 78 keys with standard keyboard layout
- 30+ hour battery life
- Ultra-thin and lightweight aluminum alloy build
- Dedicated media and volume control keys
With its full-size keyset, long battery life, and ultra responsive keys, the Ambolove F20 delivers a fantastic gaming experience whether you‘re playing action, racing, or any other genre.
Connecting a Wireless Keyboard to Your Smart TV
Connecting a wireless keyboard to your smart TV is a quick and easy process. Here are the basic steps:
- First, insert the USB receiver (if the keyboard has one) into an open USB port on your smart TV.
- Turn on the keyboard and put it into pairing mode by pressing a dedicated button or key combination.
- Go into your TV‘s settings and find the section for external devices, Bluetooth, or keyboard.
- Select the option to add, pair, or register a new device. Your TV will scan and find the keyboard.
- When prompted, enter the passcode or PIN displayed on the keyboard to finish pairing.
For the Ambolove F20, it‘s especially simple – just turn the keyboard on and it will automatically pair with most smart TVs in seconds without needing to enter codes. The keyboard will also automatically reconnect whenever you turn it back on.
Setting Up Your Smart TV for Optimal Gaming
To enhance your gaming experience, make sure your smart TV is set up with these adjustments:
- Switch to your TV‘s Game mode, which reduces input lag for faster response times.
- Adjust Picture settings like backlight, brightness, and contrast for ideal game visibility.
- Enable Game Mode or PC Mode on your HDMI input for your console or PC.
- Turn off motion smoothing effects like Motionflow or TruMotion to prevent game distortion.
- Set audio delay to 0ms in Audio settings to sync game audio and video.
- Use Game genre sound mode or surround sound for immersive game audio.
Tweaking these settings helps lower input lag, improve picture quality, and enhance sound for much smoother overall gameplay.
Recommended Games to Play with a Keyboard
Here are some of the best game genres and titles to try out with your wireless keyboard:
Action Platformers
- Oddmar
- Teslagrad
- Dead Cells
Precision and quick reflexes are key in action platformer games like these. A keyboard gives you the level of control you need to time jumps accurately, slash enemies swiftly, and navigate tricky environments.
First-Person Shooters
- Modern Combat 5
- N.O.V.A. Legacy
- PUBG Mobile
For competitive online FPS games, a mouse and keyboard are preferred by most PC gamers. But the keyboard alone still allows better movement and quicker aiming than a controller.
Racing
- Asphalt 8
- Horizon Chase
- Moto Racer 4
Steering racing games with a keyboard takes getting used to but allows more gradual turning than directional keys. You can use W-A-S-D or arrow keys for steering, spacebar for brakes/drifting, and ctrl or shift for acceleration.
Role-Playing Games
- Baldur‘s Gate
- Planescape: Torment
- Portal Knights
The wide range of keys on a keyboard really help you access all available commands, customize shortcuts, and execute moves much faster in RPG games.
Conclusion
Gaming on your smart TV no longer requires investing in expensive consoles or equipment. With an affordable wireless keyboard like the responsive and long-lasting Ambolove F20, you can turn your smart TV into a versatile gaming machine. Just download some fun titles optimized for TVs, tweak your display and audio settings, and enjoy hours of casual gaming right from your couch.
