Switch Games That Make The Best Use Of Gyro Controls

Unlike the Wii before it, motion controls have taken something of a backseat when it comes to the Switch. But despite most of its library stressing traditional inputs, the Joy-Cons offer some of the best gyroscopic controls in gaming. Ironically, these refined gyro controls are still a bit underutilized compared to the cruder technology built into the Wiimote.

Related

10 Modern Games That We Wish Used Motion Controls

Motion controls aren't exactly a new concept. However, there are some modern age games that we wish used the technology to improve them.

Posts

These games, and the ways in which they use motion, vary quite a bit. Titles like Doom and Clubhouse Games, for instance, succeed in having motion as a neat secondary option or minor inclusion, while Nintendo Switch Sports shows this tech can still thrive as a main focus. But whether subtle or more prominent, there are plenty of games for Switch that have implemented gyro support in a creative or tasteful way.

Updated November 29, 2023 by Stephen LaGioia: The release of the sleek Switch OLED model has largely overshadowed the motion capabilities of the console. Indeed, many more recent Switch titles especially seem to stress more traditional gameplay inputs and design. This makes sense as the console has seen an increasing number of ports.

Still, there is a trickling of recent releases that embody more of the Wii spirit; the zany party game WarioWare: Move It, for instance. And so, we thought we'd revisit this list of the most fun and refined motion Switch games that are sure to get players off the couch and moving.

20 Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm And Exercise

Using Two Joy-Cons To Box Feels Great

This more robust sequel to the exergaming title from Imagineer brings early Wii vibes with its accessible mechanics, simple visuals, and a healthy dose of movement-based gameplay. While its gameplay is rather straightforward compared to the likes of Ring Fit Adventure, it does excel in offering a quick pick-up-and-play experience that's more user-friendly.

Like the first Fitness Boxing, the game combines rhythmic music gameplay with fitness and arcade-style action. Its alluring rhythmic gameplay — which involves punching icons on cue in different ways — reminds players that sometimes less is more. And while not perfect, this sequel somewhat refines the detection of specific movements compared to its predecessor, allowing for more effective workouts.

19 Just Dance

Refined, Ergonomic Joy-Cons Mesh Well

Much like Dance Dance Revolution before it, Ubisoft's Just Dance has become a staple in rhythm and fitness games, one with more palatability to the average gamer. The now-annual franchise has also become synonymous with fun, responsive motion-based gaming, especially on Nintendo machines.

The games have become especially enticing on Switch, with recent entries that are overflowing with delightful upbeat tunes, and refined gyro controls that allow for optimal "boogying."

The 2024 edition offers a vast, diverse list of new songs and new game modes, including streamlined online multiplayer. It also brings a song-sharing hub into the mix, which permits players in this virtual space to share songs from any edition of the series.

18 Alien Isolation

Smooth Aiming And Detailed HD Rumble

Related

8 Best Horror Metroidvania Games, Ranked

The best Metroidvania games extend even to horror, providing action thrills and grand terrors to players brave enough to try them.

Posts

By  Megan Smith

Alien: Isolation by Creative Assembly and Sega burst onto the scene in 2014 as one of the best horror games of the year. What makes this thriller really shine, aside from its sleek visuals and effects, is its thick sense of atmosphere that immerses the player into the experience.

This makes it all the more intense when trying to elude the alien beast lurking in the dark ship. The Switch version amps up this immersion with some fine-tuned gyro support, by way of weapon aiming and motion tracker movement. Though the rich experience is also enhanced by detailed HD rumble, which truly draws players into the chilling scene.

17 Resident Evil: Revelations 2

Intuitive Aiming And Simulated Reloads

Those who enjoyed the smooth, intuitive motion controls of Wii's version of RE4 were disappointed to find that these gyro and pointer controls are absent from the Switch port. However, fans get can a similar experience with this overlooked Resident Evil spinoff.

The game offers prominent motion without it being intrusive or burdensome. Players can simply hold the left trigger to initiate the feature. The game even channels some of that arcade-style lightgun vibe by having players reload with a quick movement that emulates loading a new clip into one's Joy-con gun. With this neat inclusion, and its sleek visuals, zombie blasting in Revelations 2 is particularly fun and immersive.

16 Fortnite

Various Motion Customizations

This dynamic, rewarding survival BR is made even more gripping on Switch with its subtle-but-effective use of motion. The game offers an impressive list of customization and fine-tuning options to ensure one's inputs are as smooth and sharp as possible.

And with a game that requires precision, this is crucial. There will likely be a bit of trial and error when it comes to adjustments, but players should be firing away and cobbling together structures in no time.

15 WarioWare: Move It!

Funny And Clever Use Of Motion

WarioWare: Move It is largely a return to form following the more divisive Get It Together, stressing the usual slew of absurd, hilarious microgames controlled by quick motions. As 1-2 Switch once conveyed, there's something particularly amusing about controlling a minigame with one's own mouth.

In terms of the style and rapid-fire nature of these games, the vibe feels more akin to the underrated Wii gem from 2006, Smooth Moves. The smoother, more dynamic motion of the Joy-cons allow this experience to really shine, with fewer rough patches or confusing moments.

There are a number of ways to enjoy the whopping 200 microgames here. Move It offers a number of variants on the formula, with new competitive and co-op match formats as well as a quasi-campaign mode.

14 Overwatch 2

Countless Ways To Customize And Fine-Tune The Input

FPS games, which often require swift precision, don't always mesh with motion controls, particularly pointerless gyro. This has remained true despite the first-person view making a good fit for the immersion of such tech. Yet, Blizzard has managed to find a nice balance with Switch's version of Overwatch 2.

The unique hero-shooter actually proves a good fit, thanks to the slew of customizations given — and the fact that many heroes don't require great aim. Players can tinker with several settings in the controls options menu, including gyro-specific controls, sensitivity on different axes, and aim assist. Small inclusions like the ability to disable gyro while using the stick go a long way in making OW2 a smoother, tighter experience.

13 The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Using The Joy-Cons As A Bow Works Great

Those who want to completely kick back and get lost in Link's latest epic on Switch don't need to do so without moving about, as Nintendo offers the option to turn off motion. But for those who seeking greater immersion, this darker sequel to the fan-favorite Breath of the Wild has players covered. Like its predecessor, the gyro features are subtle and tastefully done without being a burden.

Aiming with the bow feels as great as ever, and other bits are sprinkled in which cleverly utilize the tech, adding to the puzzle elements in areas like Shrines. These controls only further the dynamic, organic feel of this fantasy adventure, already enhanced with vibrant visuals and the all-new Sky Islands and Depths regions.

12 Surgeon Simulator CPR

Physics Are Amusingly Clumsy But The Motion Is Accurate

Bossa Studios' simulation game resuscitates the notion that a third-party game could be most appealing on Nintendo machines. Originating as a 2013 Steam release, this obscure title was given new life on the Big N's hybrid console with nuanced motion controls and intuitive local co-op.

The dynamic-yet-clumsy motion input only adds to the yucks of this over-the-top romp, which has amateur "surgeons" fumbling with organs in bloody, cut-open bodies in first-person. This gruesome sim is full of oddities — including the fact that a gory indie can hang with some of Switch's best motion-based efforts.

11 Cooking Mama Cookstar

Easy To Learn Quick Motions

Starting with the DS sleeper hit from 2006, this cooking minigame compilation has been at the forefront of unique, intuitive control schemes. The smooth, nuanced use of motion brings a quasi-simulated experience with a cute visual style.

While the gameplay itself has been viewed as spotty and shallow, to put it mildly, 1st Playable Productions at least uses the motion in a clever, 'tasteful' manner. Players will partake in swiftly cutting up, preparing, and cooking different food items. Actions include things like cracking eggs, spreading butter across a pan, and dicing up veggies.