How to Get Into Motion-Controlled Games

Motion-controlled games turn your own movement into the controller, getting you up off the couch and active as you play, a wonderful way to blend fun and physical activity. For newcomers used to a handheld controller, though, playing with your body can feel awkward at first. This guide shows you how to get into motion-controlled games, play actively, and enjoy the movement, so you can relish games that get you moving rather than feeling self-conscious or ineffective before you have settled into controlling a game with your body.

Understand how motion control works

Motion games use your body, so understand how it works. Your movements become the controls, so playing well means moving well. Players often share tips on community sites such as ankertoto, where fans compare games, but the key is to understand how motion control works, since it changes how you play. Understanding how motion control works, and that your own physical movements become the game's controls, is the foundation of motion-controlled games and the first step from feeling awkward to playing naturally with your body as the controller.

Give yourself room to move

Motion games need space, so give yourself room to move. Clearing enough space to move freely and safely is essential. Rather than playing cramped, make room. Motion games reward space. Giving yourself room to move, and clearing enough space around you to move freely and safely, is central to motion-controlled games, since you play with your body, and a cramped space both limits your movements and risks knocking into things, so making room to move freely is both safer and lets you play the game as it is meant to be played, with full, unrestricted motion.

Commit to the movements

Motion games reward full motion, so commit to the movements. Moving fully and energetically, rather than half-heartedly, makes the game respond well and the activity real. Rather than making small lazy gestures, commit. Full movement is rewarded. Committing to the movements, and moving fully and energetically rather than making small, half-hearted gestures, is central to motion-controlled games, since they are designed to read real movement, and committing to the motions, actually reaching, swinging, or stepping as intended, both makes the game respond accurately and turns the play into genuine physical activity rather than a token wave of the hand.

Start at a comfortable level

Motion games can be a workout, so start at a comfortable level. Beginning gently and building up avoids overexertion and keeps it fun. Rather than overdoing it at first, ease in. A gentle start is wise. Starting at a comfortable level, and beginning gently before building up as you get used to it, is sensible with motion-controlled games, since playing with your body can be a real workout, and overdoing it at first risks tiring or straining yourself, so easing in at a comfortable pace and increasing the intensity gradually keeps the experience both fun and kind to your body.

Warm up first

Motion games are physical, so warm up first. A light warm-up before an active session prepares your body and prevents strain. Rather than jumping straight in cold, warm up. A warm-up protects you. Warming up first, and doing a light warm-up before an active motion-gaming session, is a sensible habit, since these games get your body moving in earnest, and a few minutes of gentle warm-up prepares your muscles and joints, reducing the risk of strain, just as you would before any physical activity, so your active play stays enjoyable rather than leaving you sore or injured.

Let go of self-consciousness

Motion games feel silly at first, so let go of self-consciousness. Embracing the movement without worrying how you look is where the fun lies. Rather than holding back stiffly, let go. Fun comes from embracing it. Letting go of self-consciousness, and embracing the movement without worrying how you look, is central to enjoying motion-controlled games, since playing with your body can feel silly at first, and the players who have the most fun, and get the best workout, are those who throw themselves into the movements wholeheartedly rather than holding back stiffly out of embarrassment, so letting go is how the genre opens up.

Enjoy getting up and moving

The heart of these games is active fun, so enjoy getting up and moving. The pleasure of play that gets you off the couch and moving is deeply rewarding. Rather than seeing the activity as a chore, embrace it as the appeal. Motion games offer a singular blend of fun and fitness. Enjoying getting up and moving, and the pleasure of games that turn movement into play and get you active, is what getting into motion-controlled games is truly about, since the genre offers a rare, delightful blend of entertainment and physical activity, and the fun of playing with your whole body, up and moving rather than sitting still, is a reward that leaves you better for having played.

Common questions from players

Are motion-controlled games hard to get into? They can feel awkward at first, but understanding how motion control works and giving yourself room to move makes them natural. Playing with your body quickly becomes intuitive once you settle in.

How do I play them well? Commit to the movements and let go of self-consciousness. Moving fully and energetically makes the game respond accurately and turns play into real activity, and embracing the movement is where the fun lies.

Can they really be a workout? Yes. Committing to full movements turns play into genuine physical activity, so start at a comfortable level and warm up first. Easing in and preparing your body keeps active play fun and kind to you.

Getting into motion-controlled games, in short

Follow the steps above and the genre opens up. For more guides, see our games section, and the blog gathers recent writing.