Answer: Gang Beasts uses one button to jump, one to kick, one to headbutt, one to lift, and two for left and right grabs. Hold both grab buttons, then jump, and your character climbs.
Gang Beasts is a physics party brawler from Boneloaf. It launched on Steam on December 12, 2017, and your wobbly fighter still ignores half your commands.
This guide lists every control by platform, the combos worth learning, and fixes for common input problems. Bookmark it, then blame the jelly physics, not your thumbs.
What Do You Need to Know Before You Play?
Gang Beasts supports keyboard and controller input. The Steam listing tags it as 4 Player Local, with PvP and split-screen PvP modes.
Controls follow a pattern across platforms. Learn the pattern once. The rest falls into place.
- Jump: also runs and sits, depending on how you hold it.
- Kick: also makes you lie down when held.
- Headbutt: also ducks and crawls when held.
- Lift: also taunts.
- Left and right grab: also punch when you tap them.
Gang Beasts Controls by Platform
The table below merges the layouts that GameSkinny lists for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. The Xbox layout also works with an Xbox controller on PC, as Dexerto notes.
| Action | PC keyboard | Xbox | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move | W A S D | Left stick | Left stick |
| Jump | Space | A | X |
| Run | Hold Space + direction | Hold A + direction | Hold X + direction |
| Sit | Hold Space, stand still | Hold A, stand still | Hold X, stand still |
| Kick | M | X | Square |
| Lie down | Hold M | Hold X | Hold Square |
| Duck / Headbutt | Ctrl | B | Circle |
| Crawl | Hold Ctrl | Hold B | Hold Circle |
| Lift / Taunt | Shift | Y | Triangle |
| Left punch / grab | , key or left mouse | LB | L1 |
| Right punch / grab | . key or right mouse | RB | R1 |
Nintendo Switch Controls
Outsider Gaming says Switch players press L or R to punch. To climb, hold L and R, then hold B.
How Do You Grab, Punch and Throw?
Grabbing is the heart of the game. Most wins come from holding someone near an edge and letting go.
Grab and Punch
- Tap a grab button to punch with that hand.
- Hold a grab button to grab with that hand.
- Hold both grab buttons to grab with both hands.
Throw an Opponent
- Grab the opponent with both hands.
- Press Lift.
- Walk toward the edge you want.
- Release both grab buttons.
VGKAMI describes the sequence in its combo table. Dexerto compresses it to "grab, lift, release."
Which Combo Moves Should You Learn First?
Combos chain two or three inputs. They look fancy. The timing stays simple.
| Move | Input | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Dropkick | Jump, then tap Kick | Knock a rival off a ledge |
| Backflip | Jump, then hold Kick | Dodge and reposition |
| Climb | Grab with both hands, then Jump | Escape a fall |
| Powerslide | Hold Kick and Crawl while holding a direction | Close distance fast |
| Super punch | Headbutt, then quickly Grab | Land a heavier hit |
Sources disagree on one detail. Dexerto's table swaps the backflip and dropkick inputs. GameSkinny and Magic Game World agree with the table. Test both in a practice match before you trust either.
How Do You Climb Back Onto a Stage?
Climbing saves more rounds than punching. The input is the same on every platform.
- PC: hold left and right mouse buttons, then hold Space.
- Xbox: hold LB and RB, then hold A.
- PlayStation: hold L1 and R1, then hold X.
- Switch: hold L and R, then hold B.
Magic Game World adds a tip: release and re-grab if you stall. A small hand adjustment often gets you over the lip.
What Should You Do When Someone Grabs You?
Getting held is part of the game. Panic makes it worse.
- Tap jump quickly.
- Lean in different directions.
- Keep retreating until the opponent lets go.
Chapter Cheats lists this as the way to break a grip. It buys you a second to recover.
How Do You Fix Input Problems on PC?
Gang Beasts often needs several keys at once. Cheap keyboards sometimes drop a key during that.
- Check rollover. Magic Game World says weak anti-ghosting can stop run, jump and grab from registering.
- Try the mouse. Left and right mouse buttons handle grabs. Free up your keyboard.
- Rebind keys. ComputerCity reports that the settings menu allows custom keybinds, useful for non-QWERTY layouts.
- Switch to a controller. The Steam listing shows controller support.
Better hardware helps too. Our ASUS ROG Strix Scope II X keyboard review covers one option. You can also read about the controller from UnderGrowthGames.
Beginner Habits That Win Matches
- Fight near the center. Edges punish mistakes.
- Grab before you punch. Held rivals cannot dodge.
- Learn climbing before dropkicks.
- Use a running jump for range, not accuracy.
- Laugh when you fall. Everyone falls.
Playing on PC? A fast display helps you read the chaos. See how a gaming monitor improves FPS and gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you grab in Gang Beasts?
Hold a grab button. That means LB or RB on Xbox, L1 or R1 on PlayStation, and the mouse buttons on PC.
How do you climb in Gang Beasts?
Grab with both hands, then press jump. Hold both inputs until your character pulls up.
Can you change the keys on PC?
Yes. ComputerCity says the settings menu offers custom keybinds.
Does Gang Beasts work with a controller on PC?
Yes. The Steam listing shows full controller support, and Xbox layouts carry over, per Dexerto.
Which controls do people mix up most?
Dropkick and backflip. Both start with a jump. The kick timing decides which one you get.
Final Thoughts
Learn five inputs first: jump, grab, kick, lift and climb. Everything else builds on them.
Practice in a match, rebind anything that feels wrong, and keep your expectations low. The game wins some fights by design.
Sources
Answer: Gang Beasts uses one button to jump, one to kick, one to headbutt, one to lift, and two for left and right grabs. Hold both grab buttons, then jump, and your character climbs.
Gang Beasts is a physics party brawler from Boneloaf. It launched on Steam on December 12, 2017, and your wobbly fighter still ignores half your commands.
This guide lists every control by platform, the combos worth learning, and fixes for common input problems. Bookmark it, then blame the jelly physics, not your thumbs.
What Do You Need to Know Before You Play?
Gang Beasts supports keyboard and controller input. The Steam listing tags it as 4 Player Local, with PvP and split-screen PvP modes.
Controls follow a pattern across platforms. Learn the pattern once. The rest falls into place.
- Jump: also runs and sits, depending on how you hold it.
- Kick: also makes you lie down when held.
- Headbutt: also ducks and crawls when held.
- Lift: also taunts.
- Left and right grab: also punch when you tap them.
Gang Beasts Controls by Platform
The table below merges the layouts that GameSkinny lists for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. The Xbox layout also works with an Xbox controller on PC, as Dexerto notes.
| Action | PC keyboard | Xbox | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move | W A S D | Left stick | Left stick |
| Jump | Space | A | X |
| Run | Hold Space + direction | Hold A + direction | Hold X + direction |
| Sit | Hold Space, stand still | Hold A, stand still | Hold X, stand still |
| Kick | M | X | Square |
| Lie down | Hold M | Hold X | Hold Square |
| Duck / Headbutt | Ctrl | B | Circle |
| Crawl | Hold Ctrl | Hold B | Hold Circle |
| Lift / Taunt | Shift | Y | Triangle |
| Left punch / grab | , key or left mouse | LB | L1 |
| Right punch / grab | . key or right mouse | RB | R1 |
Nintendo Switch Controls
Outsider Gaming says Switch players press L or R to punch. To climb, hold L and R, then hold B.
How Do You Grab, Punch and Throw?
Grabbing is the heart of the game. Most wins come from holding someone near an edge and letting go.
Grab and Punch
- Tap a grab button to punch with that hand.
- Hold a grab button to grab with that hand.
- Hold both grab buttons to grab with both hands.
Throw an Opponent
- Grab the opponent with both hands.
- Press Lift.
- Walk toward the edge you want.
- Release both grab buttons.
VGKAMI describes the sequence in its combo table. Dexerto compresses it to "grab, lift, release."
Which Combo Moves Should You Learn First?
Combos chain two or three inputs. They look fancy. The timing stays simple.
| Move | Input | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Dropkick | Jump, then tap Kick | Knock a rival off a ledge |
| Backflip | Jump, then hold Kick | Dodge and reposition |
| Climb | Grab with both hands, then Jump | Escape a fall |
| Powerslide | Hold Kick and Crawl while holding a direction | Close distance fast |
| Super punch | Headbutt, then quickly Grab | Land a heavier hit |
Sources disagree on one detail. Dexerto's table swaps the backflip and dropkick inputs. GameSkinny and Magic Game World agree with the table. Test both in a practice match before you trust either.
How Do You Climb Back Onto a Stage?
Climbing saves more rounds than punching. The input is the same on every platform.
- PC: hold left and right mouse buttons, then hold Space.
- Xbox: hold LB and RB, then hold A.
- PlayStation: hold L1 and R1, then hold X.
- Switch: hold L and R, then hold B.
Magic Game World adds a tip: release and re-grab if you stall. A small hand adjustment often gets you over the lip.
What Should You Do When Someone Grabs You?
Getting held is part of the game. Panic makes it worse.
- Tap jump quickly.
- Lean in different directions.
- Keep retreating until the opponent lets go.
Chapter Cheats lists this as the way to break a grip. It buys you a second to recover.
How Do You Fix Input Problems on PC?
Gang Beasts often needs several keys at once. Cheap keyboards sometimes drop a key during that.
- Check rollover. Magic Game World says weak anti-ghosting can stop run, jump and grab from registering.
- Try the mouse. Left and right mouse buttons handle grabs. Free up your keyboard.
- Rebind keys. ComputerCity reports that the settings menu allows custom keybinds, useful for non-QWERTY layouts.
- Switch to a controller. The Steam listing shows controller support.
Better hardware helps too. Our ASUS ROG Strix Scope II X keyboard review covers one option. You can also read about the controller from UnderGrowthGames.
Beginner Habits That Win Matches
- Fight near the center. Edges punish mistakes.
- Grab before you punch. Held rivals cannot dodge.
- Learn climbing before dropkicks.
- Use a running jump for range, not accuracy.
- Laugh when you fall. Everyone falls.
Playing on PC? A fast display helps you read the chaos. See how a gaming monitor improves FPS and gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you grab in Gang Beasts?
Hold a grab button. That means LB or RB on Xbox, L1 or R1 on PlayStation, and the mouse buttons on PC.
How do you climb in Gang Beasts?
Grab with both hands, then press jump. Hold both inputs until your character pulls up.
Can you change the keys on PC?
Yes. ComputerCity says the settings menu offers custom keybinds.
Does Gang Beasts work with a controller on PC?
Yes. The Steam listing shows full controller support, and Xbox layouts carry over, per Dexerto.
Which controls do people mix up most?
Dropkick and backflip. Both start with a jump. The kick timing decides which one you get.
Final Thoughts
Learn five inputs first: jump, grab, kick, lift and climb. Everything else builds on them.
Practice in a match, rebind anything that feels wrong, and keep your expectations low. The game wins some fights by design.