I was playing a lot of Final Fantasy VII when it first came out around 1996, and used a paper strategy guide.
I got a one-handed controller (an ASCII Grip that was amazing for old JRPGs. I still miss having it for those kinds of chill games where I don’t feel like I need to be hunching over a controller.
Not only can we, this is the main way I’ve been playing city builders for a long time! Ever since Sim City 2000, I’ve turned the money off or made it not matter.