Best Games That Use Motion Sensor Controls, Ranked

Motion controls became something of a fad after the Wii launched in 2006. Due to the console’s monstrous success, this prompted Sony and Microsoft to more-or-less copy Nintendo’s blueprint. Would games be better off without the surge in motion controls? Frankly, for some of them, the answer is yes. For others, the mechanic is so expertly built into the game’s DNA that no other system could work.

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Now, Sony and Nintendo are the only two console companies still in the motion gaming business. We’ve now had over 15 years with the “gimmick”. Which just begs the question: what are the best motion games? Let’s get to the ranking!

23

1-2 Switch (Switch)

In the same way that Wii Sports was the experimental launch title to showcase the Wii’s breadth of potential, 1-2 Switch was the irrevocable proof that the Nintendo Switch meant serious business. Again, much like Wii Sports, 1-2 Switch is a collection of mini-games designed for local multiplayer shenanigans.

It allows friends (and foes, we don’t discriminate) to compete in events that span from magical duels to plate spinning to cow… milking. Okay, so some mini-games are bizarre, but they undeniably utilize the motion controls in hilarious and surprisingly precise ways.

22

Punch-Out (Wii)

Punch-Out!!

Released

May 18, 2009

ESRB

e

The 2009 remake of Punch-Out for the Wii opted for players to have three separate ways to control their favorite little boxer. Firstly, there’s the standard SNES control scheme, where every action is explicitly tied to button input.

Secondly, there’s mixed input/motion controls, where the player personally throws the punches by thrusting either half of the Wii controller. The third and least favored option involves the use of the Wii Motion Board, where all dodges are done via actual crouching.

21

Superhot VR (PS4, Microsoft Windows)

Released

February 25, 2016

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Drug Reference, Violence

There is a game at the crossroads between Mirror’s Edge and The Matrix and that game is Super Hot VR. The concept is unique in that time only moves when you do, so as long as you hold perfectly still, no one can harm you. It’s weirdly empowering to stand there and see your digital opponents frozen in space, but progress can’t be made without movement, so you do have to unfreeze them eventually.

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Because of the conceit of the game, the motion controls feel integral and natural. It’s the exact emotional opposite of the feeling you get watching literally any 3D movie from the last two decades.

20

Red Steel 2 (Wii)

Red Steel 2

Released

March 23, 2010

ESRB

m

Despite its creativity and boldness (especially for a launch title), the first Red Steel garnered a mixed reception. Years later, though, Ubisoft went back to the drawing board, reworking the visual style and various gameplay elements for the sequel.

The result is a stylistic hybrid of an Old West shooter and an Eastern-style sword fighter. While it was still a bit rough around the edges for some, Red Steel 2 was praised for its artistic flair and its smoother, more inventive use of the Wii’s motion control.

19

Surgeon Simulator CPR (Switch)

Let’s be clear. This game has some decidedly NSFW imagery going on. If the above makes you at all squeamish, strongly consider not picking it up, because you’ll be dutifully picking through people’s guts on a routine basis if you decide Surgeon Simulator CPR is the game for you.

The sheer premise of this game, and the series it belongs to, makes it a must-add to our list. In practice, it’s a fairly decent if unspectacular simulator that gets by on the wild idea that you can totally play it co-op with a buddy holding one Joy-Con and you’re gripping the other. That makes for the most awkward CPR session in the world, and that alone warrants its $13 price tag.

18

D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die (Xbox One)

D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die

Released

September 19, 2014

ESRB

m

Remember when Microsoft was 100 percent behind the Kinect for Xbox One? Do you also remember how they burnt that bridge faster than one could say, ‘‘Skittles!” That reference is a deep cut, but hopefully, someone gets a laugh out of it.

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D4, from the curious mind of Deadly Premonition’s Swery65, can be controlled normally, but it is easier to navigate with one’s hands. Even though Microsoft and Access Games discontinued their partnership, thus canceling the rest of the chapters of the game, D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die’s strangeness is still well worth a look.

17

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (Switch)

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

Well now, this is ironic. The original Skyward Sword, a Wii-era adventure that had the supreme misfortune of launching toward the end of the Wii’s run when the hype had faded and interest waned, built itself from the ground up on the premise that motion controls had never before been so well-realized. Everything from fishing to swordplay mandated the Wii MotionPlus controls.

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When Nintendo announced Skyward Sword would soon receive a Switch port, plenty of folks rejoiced specifically because it would support a lack of motion controls via the Switch Pro Controller. The new and improved motion controls have been somewhat unfairly ignored because they are so much better than they used to be.

16

Fantasia: Music Evolved (Xbox 360 And Xbox One)

Disney dazzled movie-going audiences with its then-groundbreaking animated film, Fantasia. Decades later, the famed studio – coupled with Harmonix – sought to do the same in the music game scene.

The game plays out in a simple manner on the one hand – though it effectively draws from the strengths of the Kinect by prompting players with a range of hand and arm motions. In a sense, the game plays like a trippy, celestial version of Just Dance fused with Guitar Hero. You’ll be synchronizing the rhythms and motions of your arm movements with vibrant, colorful visual cues on screen.

15

Mario Tennis Aces (Switch)

Released

April 20, 2020

ESRB

e

The Mario Tennis brand has been around for some 20 years and counting. Tennis being what it is – a physically demanding sport where balls slam into rackets and each competitor feels that hard smack in their hands and forearms – it was always going to be an appealing venue for Nintendo to explore via motion control technology.

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The second time’s the charm for developer Camelot Software. Thanks to the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, that aforementioned kineticism that helps to define the sport can truly be felt at last. From subtle vibrations as the tennis ball nears its destination to full-blown vibrations as the ball bumps into Mario’s racket (and an appropriately “bouncy” aftermath as it’s flung back across the net), Mario Tennis Aces has it all.

14

Just Dance 2023 (Various)

Just Dance 2023 Edition

Released

November 22, 2022

ESRB

E For Everyone Due To Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Lyrics

You might think it’s impossible to list the best games with motion controls without Just Dance, but surprisingly enough, we’re only just now adding it in with the latest update. It’s flown under our radar somehow, despite its massive popularity; perhaps because it’s so synonymous with our subject, it’s always felt implied.

There’s nothing especially grand about the Just Dance series’ 2023 edition. Its features are almost identical to the 2020, 2021, and 2022 versions. Its UI is, indeed, exactly the same as 2022’s. Its song list, including hits from Evanescence and Taylor Swift to Doja Cat and Tiger Monkey is solid… but most Just Dance games are solid in that regard.

13

The World Ends With You (Switch)

Released

July 27, 2007

ESRB

T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes

The World Ends With You straddles the line of what constitutes a motion game, as the original DS release was completely controlled with the Stylus. We would then argue that since players had to flip and scratch moves into the screen, it counts. To make it fairer, the recent Switch port did add motion controls when docked.

12

Moss (PSVR)

Moss

Released

February 27, 2018

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence

Moss is a PSVR game that stars a small mouse, Quill, on an adventure to save her kingdom. Players are basically a god that Quill can interact with. While the majority of the game is played with the PS4 DualShock, players can also use movements to alter the world.

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Moving rocks in order for Quill to pass is one example. It’s a genius blend of classic action-adventure games with more quirky motion stuff. It is a sight to see.

11

Super Mario Party (Switch)

Released

October 5, 2018

ESRB

e

Super Mario Party remains noteworthy three years later thanks to the inclusion of some pretty snappy motion controls. Mario Party Superstars eschewed motion controls altogether, waving farewell to something that had partly defined the series for well over a decade.

It’s zippy, its boards are solid, and the amount of mini-games frankly borders on the ridiculous. That’s a good thing, considering that for many fans, the mini-games are the real reason to play these games. The rhythm-based outings are particularly fun examples of why, in the right creative hands, motion controls can still enthrall us.

10

Arms (Switch)

Released

June 16, 2017

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Cartoon Violence

While Nintendo touted the ability to dual-wield motion controllers on Switch, few games actually utilized this. Enter ARMS, a smashingly-fun 3D fighter that does just that – and does it well.

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Players can pick from 15 cartoony boxers, each with its own abilities and mechanics which usually include extendable arms. The bouts of action and nuances of the separately-controlled limbs bring an immersive, arcade-like experience that’s hard to step away from – even when winded.

9

Dance Central Spotlight (Xbox One)

For a more intense and engaging music experience, we recommend the Dance Central series. It may be a bit harder to play nowadays compared to other dance games like Just Dance.

But of the two, it is the more thorough workout. This should come as no surprise as it was developed by Harmonix, the creators of Rock Band. Dancing is a natural fit for motion gaming and remains just as strong a genre.

8

Mario Kart Wii And Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Wii/Switch)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Chaos is the key ingredient to any good game of Mario Kart, and nothing causes chaos quite like using motion-controlled steering. Whether you’re playing on the Mario Kart Wii on the (you guessed it) Wii or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch, the idea is the same; hold the controller sideways and pretend it’s a full steering wheel.

But there’s no pretending that this control scheme works particularly well. If you turn the wheel too intensely in one direction, there is a chance that it’ll read the input as the opposite action. In this specific instance, however, it’s absolutely better because of it. Sometimes, better is absolutely worse.

7

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (Switch)

Released

March 3, 2017

ESRB

E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes

Of course, this Zelda epic on Switch shines in myriad ways — with thrilling action, dynamic gameplay, and vast landscapes that invoke exploration. Less appreciated is the game’s subtle-but-effective use of motion controls. Whether moving with the handheld screen itself or pointing with the Joy-Con, aiming the bow feels surprisingly smooth and precise.

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But the Big N also sprinkles in other neat uses of motion control by way of fun puzzles in certain shrines. In these scenarios, the player must tilt pinball-like ancient contraptions just so, or pivot metal devices between obstacles. The precision requires skill, but the relative ease involved in the controls themselves serves as a valuable reminder of how far motion gameplay has come.

6

Nintendo Switch Sports (Switch)

Released

April 29, 2022

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Mild Violence

Wii Sports began a craze that has never truly been replicated. For over a year, millions of households that were decidedly non-gaming were stuffed with Wii consoles so that everyone could take turns at bowling, playing golf, and so forth. 1-2-Switch was something of a belated successor, but it’s so different, and frankly, not nearly so well-received.

Nintendo Switch Sports is here to deliver a genuine sequel. It hasn’t lit the world aflame like its predecessor, but it’s a welcome addition to the Switch’s outstanding lineup and surely the biggest thing to hit the motion controls scene in years.

5

Metroid Prime Remastered (Switch)

Metroid Prime Remastered

Released

February 8, 2023

ESRB

T For Teen due to Animated Blood, Violence

Has there ever been a remaster so long-rumored, only to launch so abruptly after finally being announced? The prospect of a Metroid Prime Remastered left fans’ mouths watering for years, and its February 2023 announcement was met with a same-day digital drop. Amazing. What’s also amazing? The game itself.

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Metroid Prime has aged like fine wine, and its remaster has ensured that more fans can see what all the fuss was about over 20 years ago, while decades-long veterans can see it all in pristine high-definition graphics.

4

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom (Switch)

Released

May 12, 2023

ESRB

Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes

We’re not going to debate whether Breath of the Wild or its 2023 sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, is the “better video game.” The former, which established this phenomenal formula, thrives on the pure joy of exploring an all-timer world. Tears of the Kingdom complicates that formula with a welath of new gameplay features that enhance Hyrule – but might feel a bit “much” for some.

What matters here is that Tears of the Kingdom, by virtue of being the successor, has found remarkable new ways to employ its motion controls. Some of these fresh features work wonders with motion controls; the Ultrahand’s smooth and seamless guidance makes crafting elaborate contraptions a cinch.

Given that device-building is kind of Tears of the Kingdom’s thing, we’re glad it panned out.