The Nintendo Switch is pretty far removed from the motion-controlled phenomenon that was the Wii, when it comes to off-the-wall control schemes. While Nintendo's latest console still incorporates motion, it's largely taken a back seat in favor of more traditional sticks and buttons. The hybrid functionality and HD rumble have assumed center stage as the technological selling points – which is a bit ironic, considering the superior movement-recognition tech of the Joy-Cons. Alas, poor waggle.
Still, there do exist some hints of this memorable flailing-laced era of gaming on the Switch. A number of its titles use gyro or pointer controls to a minor degree, and some even employ it in a creative, nuanced fashion. Let's have a look at some examples.
Updated on August 7, 2024, by Bobby Mills: A lot of the time, you could be forgiven for forgetting the Switch even has motion-control capabilities, so few are the games that make any meaningful use of them. You just can't beat a regular ol' stationary controller in your hand – but the waggling of yore still has its place, so we've taken the time to add even more examples to our list.
A quick note to clarify: in order for a game to qualify for our list, it must make use of motion controls in a significant capacity beyond "shake to interact with a specific mechanic once every few hours." They've either got to offer motion as an integral control scheme, or do something sufficiently neat with it that it's worth singling out!
25 Pikmin 4
Command Your Army With A Flick Of The Wrist
Nintendo didn't half make fans wait for Pikmin 4 – to be precise, it took over a decade since the threequel for this adventure to arrive. (Luckily, it's bursting with content, and offers more than enough tactical strategy to wrap your noggin around for another ten annums.) But in the meantime, Switch owners were treated to a staggered release of the original trilogy, whose motion controls are iterated and improved upon in 4.
When relying on the sticks, there isn't a great deal you can do to affect exactly where the Pikmin you lob land – unless you're facing your target head-on – which can make nailing a small enemy or reaching a tiny ledge difficult. The option of using the Joy-Con as a pointer mitigates this, as suddenly you're able to direct your floral minions with the utmost precision. Combined with the lock-on mechanic, it's the definitive way to play this long-awaited botanists' dream.
24 WarioWare: Move It!
Almost As Smooth As Smooth Moves
If you want an eccentric demonstration of the Joy-Con's capabilities, as well as a test of your threshold for embarrassment, then look no further than WarioWare: Move It. The second installment in the long-running microgame series for the Switch, following Get It Together, make no mistake: playing it requires a large living room, and will make you look like an absolute prat.
Bending over (both forwards and backwards), gyrating your hips, mimicking a chicken, slapping your rear, pretending to be a train – there are over twenty different contortions you'll need to pull off to beat the never-ending slew of challenges Wario and his mates throw your way.
The campaign can be rattled through in about four hours, but as ever with WarioWare, the fun comes from grinding out high scores. Bury your inhibitions, and get moving!
23 Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Shame About Sunshine's Framerate, Though
It's a shame that Super Mario 3D All-Stars has been taken off the Switch eShop (hooray for forced scarcity) because the motion controls in this collection's version of Super Mario Galaxy do the original justice. The game has you point the Joy-Con at the TV to control a cursor that picks up Star Bits around Mario.
The alternative way to play is handheld mode, which requires you to take your hand off the buttons to swipe your finger across the screen. Needless to say, this method is tedious and cumbersome. The best way to play Super Mario Galaxy on the Switch is to utilize the Joy-Con's motion controls, allowing intuitive, uninterrupted gameplay.
22 Metroid Prime Remastered
Samus Is Rolling Into Action
Metroid Prime Remastered was one of the best surprises of 2023. This incredible remaster added a new fancy coat of paint to the visuals and included multiple control schemes to emulate the GameCube and Wii versions. If you haven't tried the motion controls yet, you're in for a real treat.
Playing Metroid Prime with motion controls opens up a whole world of possibilities for combat. You can aim Samus' gun with more freedom and precision than ever. This control scheme reinvented the series on the Wii, and it's hard to imagine a Metroid Prime game without it. Roll on Prime 4!
21 The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
It Was Built Around Motion Controls Anyway
Many people prefer to turn motion controls off, but The Legend Of Zelda Skyward Sword HD is a rare case where the motion controls are the preferred way to play, and were in fact mandatory on the Wii. You swing the Joy-Con to make Link swing his sword, and it's astounding to see how exactly Link mimics your movements, allowing you to attack in any direction.
The sword is mapped to the right joystick if you're playing in handheld mode. While it works fine, it's nowhere near as engrossing as the motion controls. If you want the full experience, try it with motion. Just make sure you hold the Joy-Con tightly, because no amount of Rupees could cover a shattered 4K TV.
20 Fitness Boxing
Punch Thin Air With Panache
If you can imagine a fusion of Wii Boxing, Wii Fit, and Dance Dance Revolution, it would probably be akin to this "exergaming" title by Japanese studio Imagineer. Not to be confused with those guys who built Disneyland, of course. Fitness Boxing entices you to return for daily workouts with progression charts and logs – serving more as a virtual workout simulator than a video game.
There's plenty of sweaty fun to be had here, as this quasi-rhythm game has you swiftly performing punches and dodges on cue to several catchy tunes. These infectious songs range from Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne to LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem. While it's rather simple and rough around the edges, this is one of the more fun and intense ways to burn calories this side of Ring Fit Adventure.
19 Clubhouse Games
52 Games And Counting
Not unlike certain Mario Party games, NDcube's Clubhouse Games stresses quantity over quality with this hodgepodge of over 50 card, board, and mini games. There's a good chance, statistically speaking, you'll find roughly 20 games you like, ten that you love, and four or five that you just can't put down.
And for that alone, this social game for Switch is well worth it. It's a neat bonus that some games incorporate motion controls well. Some do it subtly, like the very tactile-feeling dice rolls of Yacht Dice, though a few implement it superbly as a key feature of the game; namely Darts, Bowling, and Fishing.
18 Mario Golf: Super Rush
Fore! Play
Many fans have been seeking an expansion or evolution of Wii Golf and its fluid motion controls. Thankfully, Camelot and Nintendo mostly hit a hole-in-one with this Mario Golf outing on Switch. Mario Golf: Super Rush taps into the arcade-style vibe the Mario sports games are known for, especially with additions like the chaotic Speed Golf mode.
At the same time, there is plenty of nuance to be found in the motion control element and a general respect for precision and detail. It doesn't hurt that Mario Golf: Super Rush remains one of the prettier, most vibrant games on the Switch.
17 Nintendo Switch Sports
Not Quite Wii Sports, But It Does The Job
Though it doesn't quite have that lightning-in-a-bottle, revolutionary feel this time around, the Switch rendition of Wii Sports shines as a great sports title and one of the best Switch games with motion controls. It's never gonna have the same nostalgia factor, though.
Like its predecessor, the dynamic yet simple motion controls breathe life into this charming game. While feeling comfortably familiar with the return of favorites like tennis and bowling, this entry mixes things up with soccer, volleyball, and surprisingly fun badminton. Another major selling point is the implementation of online support, which fits this social party game like a glove.
16 Just Dance
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 – Take Your Pick
When it comes to notable Switch motion control games, it's hard not to think of this enjoyable dance-till-you-drop title, especially since Ubisoft has ensured the IP has an iron grip on the zeitgeist. The colorful, psychedelic visuals are as appealing as they've ever been, and the track list of new songs contains fun, catchy jams. Tracks range from Imagine Dragons' Believer to Funk by Meghan Trainor, and even tosses in some Disney hits like Encanto's We Don't Talk About Bruno.
Holding the Joy-Cons separately makes for a particularly comfortable way to play this established dance series. It's not perfect, but it does a fine job of picking up an array of both subtle and exaggerated movements. Critics have praised the recent entries as having stronger, more diverse libraries, along with some of the most intense dances seen in the Just Dance series.
15 Surgeon Simulator
Better Not Quit Your Day Job
This squeamishly realistic surgery-based game didn't make a ton of noise when it hit Steam in 2013, other than on the usual 'scream to generate revenue' YouTube channels. Yet, the game suits the Switch and its nuanced gyro controls quite well. Surgeon Simulator feels akin to a bloodier, more authentic version of the game Operation.
You tinker with various tools and equipment as you work on patients, making precise movements with the Joy-Cons. The motion controls can occasionally be wonky but hold a unique feel compared to other Switch motion games. There’s even a co-op mode that allows another person to lend a hand.
14 Neonwall
Shoot Balls Inside A Lite Brite
This vibrant and colorful puzzle platformer by JanduSoft S.L. incorporates motion controls inventively, adding a unique dimension to the experience. Despite being a stripped-down indie title, Neonwall shines as one of the more interesting Switch motion games, proving you can find innovation pretty much anywhere.
The gyro controls of each Joy-Con translate directly to the two paddles you use to guide a colored ball from A to B. The catch? Platforms and obstacles are also color-coded, so you need to tinker with objects and the ball to match up the colors to progress. It's an appealing concept, made more compelling by the gyro support.
13 Doom (2016)
Anything's Better Than The Atari Jaguar Port
Like most Nintendo Switch motion games, Doom doesn't overuse motion control — but still offers it as a neat, immersive way to control for those who desire it. For a game that stresses gritty realism and cinematic bombast, this complements the experience quite well.
Given that this feature was tacked on as part of an update, aiming with motion controls feels surprisingly smooth and refined. Scrambling to shoot at a monster’s head with the Joy-Con gyro makes this game all the more engaging and heart-poundingly thrilling.
12 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
"I'm Using Tilt Controls!"
While Mario Kart Wii highlighted the fun novelty of using the Wii Remote as a makeshift steering wheel, Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U dialed things back to crisp, traditional controls; though the Wii Wheel remained compatible for masochists. Likewise, you can use the more sensitive gyroscopic tech of the Joy-Cons in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch.
While you can opt for joystick control, the motion steering feels sharper than ever. The result is a satisfying arcade-like sense of immersion, especially when using a wheel peripheral. You can even use this functionality in handheld mode, and it works quite well — though you may get a few funny looks when playing in public.
11 Resident Evil: Revelations
Always Bring A Joy-Con To A Zombie Fight
One of the few Switch motion games that feels like a true throwback to the Wii era is Capcom's Resident Evil: Revelations. This isn't just because it's a last-gen port, but because this Resident Evil game uses a sharp system of pointing and aiming with the Joy-Cons rather than simply gyro tilting.
Using these controllers to fire your weapon at incoming zombies feels akin to the arcade light-gun experience (shouting 'pew, pew' optional). You can even bust out melee hits and reload with basic motions, further adding to its intuitive nature.
10 Overwatch 2
Second Time's The Charm
Blizzard's colorful hero-based shooter, Overwatch, seemed like a great fit for the family-friendly Switch, and the studio finally made this pairing a reality in late 2019. Aside from the portability, one addition that has drawn people in is the motion controls. While serious Overwatch fans are more likely to stick with more traditional control schemes, motion is implemented surprisingly well here.
Not only is pointing and aiming smooth and responsive, but Blizzard also offers the ability to tweak and refine the sensitivity and mechanics in various ways. In addition to the normal sensitivity slider, there's a new gyro submenu which has options like 'Gyro Aim Assist' to give the less experienced an edge.
9 Super Mario Odyssey
It Wouldn't Be A Modern Mario Game Without Waggle
As with most 3D Mario titles, Nintendo injected just enough novel, innovative elements to enhance the game without overwhelming it. This is the case with Super Mario Odyssey, which doesn't rely on motion to the absurd degree that Galaxy did, but still incorporates it sparingly.
Many moves in this game revolve around throwing your cap, so solid motion controls are key. Thankfully, Odyssey delivers. You can do a variety of nuanced flicks of the Joy-Cons to toss Cappy around in different ways. These quick translations on screen, coupled with the HD rumble, feel great and add some pizazz to the gameplay.
8 Ring Fit Adventure
Burn Calories While Burning The Joy-Con Battery
Following Wii Fit a decade earlier, Nintendo managed to outdo themselves with a more active fitness game that truly feels like a workout. It helps that the tech is sufficient to detect your positioning and subtle movements. This forces you to do complete, correct movements while playing; no cheating by tying the controller to a fan this time.
It's impressive to see all the ways you can manipulate and control the Ring-Con when fastening the Joy-Con to it. It recognizes many degrees of force, movement, and positioning, creating a bizarrely immersive experience, further accentuated by the long-form RPG format. Even the rudimentary velcro Leg-Strap works well, offering a nice lower-body complement that recognizes your leg positioning when doing exercises like squats.
7 1-2-Switch
It Should Have Been Bundled In With The System
Gamers were captivated by this impressive showcase of the Joy-Con's abilities following the March 2017 launch of the Switch. While 1-2-Switch received mixed reviews that cited its demo-like simplicity — and the fact it set you back sixty whole bucks rather than being a pack-in — it still stands out as one of the more technologically impressive Switch games in terms of motion controls and tactile feel.
In addition to showing off the new vibration tech, the game offers a slew of goofy minigames that pick up the most subtle motions. These range from a virtual table tennis showdown to a sandwich-eating contest that uses an infrared tracking sensor to pick up your mouth movements. This is all to say nothing of the purposely suggestive cow milking mode. WarioWare — eat your heart out!
6 Luigi's Mansion 3
We Ain't Afraid Of No Motion Controls
This spooky Mario spin-off series has always been known for trying new things, dating back to the original Luigi's Mansion and its fancy particle effects, and pressure-sensitive triggers that controlled the power of the vacuum. This continues with Luigi's Mansion 3, which changes the setting to a ghost-infested hotel, adds more variety to the phantom-sucking, and emphasizes multiplayer modes.
Mario's often-neglected brother comes equipped with a more advanced Poltergust vacuum this time. This is further enhanced by the tasteful use of gyro controls, which allow Luigi to adjust the angle of his nozzle while hoovering up ghosts, similar to Luigi's Mansion 2 on Nintendo 3DS (itself recently remastered on Switch).
