We examined how visual attention and performance in gaming are influenced by different input methods in a Tetris game, focusing on comparing the two most common interaction modalities: keyboard and mouse. We collected data using an eye tracker and a questionnaire. The study results showed that familiarity with the Tetris game universe had a significant impact on participants’ in-game performance. When using the keyboard, participants achieved higher scores and spent the most time in the area where they decided to put the blocks correctly. In contrast, their highest time spent was in the area where they decided how to fit the block into the correct position when using the mouse. A significant difference in participants’ average fixation time suggested that the mouse controller may have required more visual attention and cognitive effort in gameplay areas than the keyboard controller. Study results offer insights into the importance of adaptive and customizable controller design for more engaging, inclusive, and playful experiences, as participants with different demographics exhibited different attention patterns across controllers.