Highlights

• Nintendo revolutionized motion gaming with Wii Sports, showcasing how motion controls could be accessible and fun for all ages.
• Some games, like 1-2 Switch, expertly integrate motion controls into gameplay, while others, like Surgeon Simulator CPR, offer quirky experiences.
• The best motion games, like Breath of the Wild and Beat Saber, show how motion controls can enhance gameplay and offer unique experiences.

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.

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.

2023 saw the release of Everybody 1-2 Switch, a surprise sequel. Unfortunately, it's not quite as good as the original, which is, in and of itself, kind of divisive.

22 Punch-Out (Wii)

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.

The Motion Board is unwieldy and frustrating but the minimally invasive standard motion control variation is engaging and fun, even if it massively increases the chance of accidentally tossing your Wii Remote into the TV screen.

21 Superhot VR (PS4, Microsoft Windows)

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.

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)

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.

It's largely been forgotten, but this action-packed romp still shines as one of the best games to utilize Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus.

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)

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.

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)

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.

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.

No more awkward disconnects, no more real-world sword-swinging you know in your heart of hearts was replicated incorrectly in-game, and best of all, none of Fi's countless warnings that the Wiimote's batteries are almost depleted.

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.

The experience feels like both a light show and an interactive rhythm romp, which can be enjoyed solo or with a friend.

15 Mario Tennis Aces (Switch)

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.

Their Wii port of the GameCube's Mario Power Tennis, however, was criticized for somewhat inadequate implementation.

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)

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.

Just note that, if you're planning to pick up 2023, and you intend to tap into motion controls, you should avoid the Xbox Series X|S or PS5 ports. Neither console has innate motion control technology, after all.

13 The World Ends With You (Switch)

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.

They aren’t great though, so we still recommend touch controls on Switch. No matter how one plays it, the game deserves to be on this list for being a fantastic RPG with a unique gameplay twist and amazing beats.

12 Moss (PSVR)

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.

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)

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)

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.

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.

Up to four players can step into the virtual ring and clash in this chaotically fun fighter.

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.

Pretty much any entry in the series is worth a look, but our strongest recommendation is Dance Central Spotlight for Xbox One. Its clean interface and sizable song library make it a strong contender for best chapter.

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

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)

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.

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.

Nintendo wisely recognizes that less can be more - as is the case here - and the motion rarely dominates. It merely acts as a handy supplement at times, and that's part of why it works.

6 Nintendo Switch Sports (Switch)

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)

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.

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.

All the better, the game's motion controls have been carefully transferred over as an optional mode via the Switch's Joy-Cons, and it feels great.

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

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.