Daily Debate: How Do You Feel About Motion Controls in Zelda?
Posted on April 17 2024 by John Lortie
Motion controls have been a staple of 3D Zelda since the 2006 release of Twilight Princess for the Wii. That game, despite being designed for GameCube without motion controls in-mind, was a hit. Since then, we’ve seen varying levels of motion control implementation across the series’ 3D titles.
Skyward Sword extrapolated upon Twilight Princess’ controls, utilizing Wii Motion Plus capabilities in an attempt to simulate one-to-one swordplay. Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora’s Mask 3D used the 3DS’ and 2DS’ gyro sensors (tilt-based motion controls) to assist with aiming weapons such as the Bow and other projectiles. The Wii U Gamepad also had gyro capabilities, which aided in aiming and first-person camera usage in The Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD. That console’s Breath of the Wild featured the same, but gyro was also used to solve some puzzles, which was a function carried over to the Switch.
One could argue that Tears of the Kingdom’s gyro usage is the heaviest reliance on motion control in Zelda since Skyward Sword. It’s used constantly to make Link’s Zonai abilities easier to negotiate, aside from aiming and camera usage. It’s entirely possible to play and complete the game without using any gyro, but the heavy inclusion of the mechanic seems to point to the developers’ desire for players to use it.
Given that the last two decades have seen motion controls become, in various capacities, mainstays in the series’ 3D titles, it’s probably safe to assume they’ll be implemented in Tears of the Kingdom’s successor. This leads us to today’s question: How do you feel about motion controls in Zelda?
I can’t imagine a future 3D Zelda title that doesn’t at least use gyro controls. They make aiming so natural and thoughtless for me. I even think that if Nintendo continues top-down Zelda, the developers might a great way to incorporate motion controls into that style of game.
On the other hand, I could do without the forced Skyward Sword‘s forced motion controls. They never really clicked with me in the original game (even outside of the swordplay — I had no fun flying Link’s Loftwing). I did, however, find them to be more responsive in the Switch HD release. Regardless, every Zelda title, top-down and 3D, should be a full experience for players who don’t use motion controls.
What do you think? Do you like gyro-aiming or despise it? Were you a big fan of Skyward Sword’s swordplay? Would you rather Zelda do away with motion controls entirely? Let us know down in the comments!
John’s been a Zelda fan since he was seven years old (which was a good few decades ago). He loves the last three months of the year, analog media, his family, and Tolkien. His favorite Zelda game is Breath of the Wild and his favorite game is Night in the Woods.
