The games industry is one that’s constantly in motion, with increasingly sophisticated hardware and new technological concepts. One of the key inclusions of the past decade-plus has been the use of motion controls as a major control input.
This has particularly been the case with the Nintendo Wii when it launched in late 2006. The success and potential of this fun new feature helped spur the creation of devices like the PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s motion camera, Kinect. Yet, gaming trends also tend to ebb and flow, and the idea of motion as a primary control method started to taper off in the years following the Wii.
These days, gyro and pointer controls seem to be relegated as minor, secondary features at best, if they’re used at all. This is even the case when it comes to Nintendo’s Switch console.
This gets us thinking - which games of the modern era would benefit from a motion control option? We’ll take a look at just such a premise with this list, and compile the strongest contenders.
10 MLB The Show 19
While Sony’s sophisticated baseball sim, MLB The Show, has received a number of refinements and additions over the years, one can’t help but think it has taken a minor step back in a sense. After all, even MLB 12 had a motion control option, and while it was on the shaky side, it made for a neat addition to play around with for some.
A modern version of The Show with a more refined, elaborate system of motion capture could make this realistic baseball experience even more immersive. Imagine adding some curve to your pitches by making a certain tossing motion, or swinging a motion controller at a certain angle which could translate to where and how the ball was hit. If executed properly, it could end up feeling like a more in-depth, next-gen version of Wii Sports.
9 Resident Evil 7
This heart-pounding thriller from Capcom would seemingly be a perfect fit for motion controls. This isn’t merely because of the shooting and melee combat throughout, but because of its emphasis on gritty realism. Given that this installment in the iconic Resident Evil series was used to showcase Sony’s VR tech, it makes all the more sense that this intuitive control could be used for it.
Adding a sophisticated motion controller into the mix while looking around with VR glasses could truly make you feel like you’re roaming the terrifying house of the Baker family.
8 Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
As the Assassin’s Creed series emphasizes combat and stealthy takedowns, a motion control option for this odyssey would seem like a no-brainer. This is especially the case with Ubisoft’s latest game in the popular series, given the level of realism and detail meant to fully immerse you into the lavish settings of Ancient Greece.
Given the smooth and complex nature of the combat throughout, subtle swinging motions could be a great fit for Odyssey, which mostly revolves around melee weapons.
Like many on our list, this game was released quite recently, long after the PlayStation Move had run its course. Still, it’s fun to explore the imaginative possibilities.
7 Code Vein
Like the similar “Souls-like” hit series known as Dark Souls, Namco’s Code Vein leans on cumbersome and “weighty” melee attacks as part of its gritty combat system. While this injects a feeling of realism, this could further be enhanced by performing swinging motions with a motion-controlled device. The added work in actually having to execute moves with melee weapons raises the stakes and could make this intense action romp all the more exciting.
Moreover, this added input method could work with the game’s complex system of Blood Codes, which could have you make a certain motion to trigger it. This could help streamline this jumble of commands at your Revenant’s disposal.
6 Forza Horizon 4
Racing onto the scene as one of the biggest, most dynamic racers ever, Playground Games’ Forza Horizon 4 offers a feeling of immersion and grandiosity rarely matched. What better way, then, to add to this richness even further by offering a wheel-like controller that can be used to speed and drift across the lavish settings of Great Britain?
Such an engaging control option could rev up this thrilling open-world racer even more and add to its arcade-style feel. It would be a step closer to emulating a makeshift racing arcade machine; one which wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to obtain.
5 Monster Hunter World
Capcom’s popular beast-slaying epic seems to be one rife with potential when it comes to motion-controlled input, especially since this seasoned franchise could perhaps use some fresh concepts.
The long, intense grind of slaying massive monsters could be heightened and enhanced if the player was engaged in actually slicing and dicing with their controller. The inclusion of bows could also bring a Breath of the Wild-style feature of aiming intuitively with pointer controls. Even commands like harvesting, cooking, and crafting could have motion controls creatively added to help liven up these repetitious actions.
4 Far Cry 5
While Far Cry fans likely wish to forget Ubisoft dabbling in motion with their tepid Wii effort from ‘06, Vengeance, it would be interesting to see some nuanced motion brought to a more well-crafted Far Cry game. And while the fifth main entry of this exploration FPS received some criticism for its story (or lack thereof), it arguably has some of the richest, most enjoyable gameplay.
This experience could be further amped up with a realistic control method. From weapon aiming to takedowns to driving and flying, there are a slew of commands that would seem to blend well with responsive motion tech.
3 Borderlands 3
Gearbox Software’s zany take on an RPG shooter could benefit from the use of pointer controls, which would serve to complement the arcade-style insanity of the game.
Borderlands 3, in particular, prides itself on its plethora of crazy weapons that range in abilities and style. Wielding this slew of weaponry with a motion controller could further add to the unique character and overall “feel” of each gun.
In a game that rewards headshots and critical hits, being forced to point at hordes of scurrying foes on-screen would definitely inject some thrills into this already exciting romp. You could have fun flying across the plains of Pandora and elsewhere while steering a Cyclone with your controller, or execute Action Skills with a simple motion.
2 Prey
Like many on our list, the technical prowess of this alien-slaying thriller means we haven’t seen a Switch release. Thus, motion control was a no-go for Arkane Studio’s 2017 hit, despite its gameplay likely making a good fit for it.
A dark, desolate survival-horror like this is made all the creepier with its gripping sense of realism, and actually getting your body involved would likely heighten this feeling. Prey’s emphasis on exploration, shooting, inventory dragging, and melee seems like it would fit motion control like a glove. You’ve also got quirks like the platform-spawning “Gloo Cannon” that just scream “PlayStation Move” or “Joy-Con.”
1 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
One of the first concepts imagined by excited fans following the announcement of the Wiimote was the possibility of using it as a virtual lightsaber in battle. Given the detail and quality radiating from this 2019 Star Wars epic from Respawn, it would seem like a great game in the series to make this happen.
Not only can the nuanced sword combat be strengthened by this feature, but you’ve also got the inclusion of Force powers and piloting vehicles that would mesh well with this flexible, intuitive control method. Fallen Order could be the fantastical Star Wars project Wii gamers were fantasizing about back in 2006 if such a feature were implemented.
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