Topic: Gyro Aiming

I wanted to create a modern thread dedicated to discussion of all things gyro aiming. It can serve as a hub of information for those curious about the mechanic and want to learn more, it can be a place to discuss different controllers and which are best for gyro aiming on various platforms, and even discuss remedies to incorporate gyro aiming in as many games, controllers and platforms as possible.

To start, I'd like to provide a few videos making the case for gyro aiming.

Aim Lab 86k Score With Gyro

Motion Controls and the Rejection of Progress

As for which 8th and 9th gen controllers and systems support gyro, the Switch Pro Controller, Switch Joycon, Wii U Gamepad, Dualshock 4, Dualsense and Steam Controller all support gyro, however, only the Nintendo Switch has seen gyro implemented as standard across the board. A few PS4 games use it (Days Gone, The Last of Us pt. 2) and on PS5 (Resident Evil Village, Astro's Playroom), but that's about it. No Xbox games use gyro, as the controller does not have a gyroscope or accelerometer.

PC, specifically Steam, has what's known as Steam Input, which is native controller support and custom configuration support for Dualshock 4, Dualsense, Switch Pro Controller, Xbox Controllers and the Steam Controller. It allows easy access to the controller config screen at any time pressing the Home button in game (can also be done from the Steam Client but it's easier to access in game). In the Steam Input menu for the controller you're using, you can select the gyroscope symbol and map the mouse to it, for instant gyro aiming in any game. You can adjust the sensitivity right there, and set it to Always On or to toggle on when holding Left Trigger (or when your thumb is contacting the TouchPad if using Steam Controller), etc. It takes 10 seconds, and you've got an instant air mouse in any game.

The problem is, despite Steam Input supporting Dualsense and other controllers, many older games only show button prompts for the Xbox controller or mouse and keyboard, due to Xinput being so predominant during that era. But Xbox controllers don't have gyro, so it becomes a dilemna where you're forced to choose between a controller that makes sense within the context of the game's button prompts, or gyro aiming while fighting the controls with confusion.

Thankfully, there is an adapter that exists, called the Brook X One adapter for Xbox One and Elite Series 1 controllers, and Brook X One SE adapter for Xbox Series S/X and Elite Series 2 controllers, which adds the missing gyroscope and accelerometer. I own one, and can confirm it works flawlessly, both wired and wirelessly. Here is a short video demonstration of something you may have never thought possible- an Xbox controller with gyro aiming...

Xbox Controller with Gyro Aiming via Brook Adapter

In my experience, the best gyro aiming is on the Dualsense and Wii U gamepad thanks to the use of an added magnetometer which helps reduce drift. The combination of gyroscope and accelerometer can detect the force of gravity as well as 3 rotations, and gravity serves to clock 2 of those rotations, pitch and roll, but it doesn't have a frame of reference to clock the 3rd rotation, yaw, so spinning around the Z axis tends to drift over time. The magnetometer is like a compass, using the earth's magnetic north pole to calibrate orientation around Z. Of course, the Wii U gamepad has little use in the context of modern platforms and PC, so the Dualsense is the preferred controller on PC, imo. Though having an Xbox Series controller with Brook adapter is clutch for older games which only support Xbox button prompts (and is an incredible option for those who simply prefer the Xbox controller or Elite controller but don't want to sacrifice gyro).

Switch has Gyro standard because Nintendo turned fans on through Splatoon, and later Zelda BotW. Now fans demand it, and nearly every 3rd party game with aiming supports gyro. Steam has Gyro standard because Steam Input lets you map mouse to Gyro in any game. Unfortunately, Xbox can't support it and even though the Dualsense has the best gyro aiming of any modern controller, the PS audience doesn't demand it, so devs don't implement it. Time and again we see the same game released on Switch and PS, and the Switch version will have gyro while the PS version does not. Until PS gamers start speaking out on social media and voicing demand for gyro aiming, this medium we love will continue to stagnate in a time capsule from 25 years ago.

Is this called Gyro Aiming too ?

In Mini Ninjas PS3 mission Avalanche, you must tilt your PS3 to the left or right to steer your ninja while escaping from avalanche.

@Anti-Matter
Yes. Though it's a non-traditional use.

Over the years, gyro has been used for everything from aiming a gun to steering a car to gesture gimmicks (which most dislike and gives gyro a bad reputation, though some games do implement gestures well, such as reloading in Resident Evil Revelations 1/2).

While gyro can be used for a wide variety of tasks, over time we've learned what it's strong points are and what its weak points are. Gyro doesn't typically do well for steering. It's not bad, and can offer a more fun experience in some situations, but it's not easier to steer with gyro than analog (though if someone wishes to dispute that I'd be more than willing to be convinced otherwise). Gyro's strength is in fine-tuning aim, which is something analog sticks are really horrible at.

Basically, if it would control better with a mouse, it typically controls better with gyro. If it wouldn't control better with a mouse, it typically doesn't control better with gyro.

Because at the end of the day, it's basically an air mouse.

I couldn't get into Ratchet & Clank on the PS5 because it doesn't have gyro aiming.
It was really clunky to fire projectiles without it, so I gave up the game.

@JaxonH ah, I did wonder why the Wii U seemed to have really good gyro while the Switch Pro Controller would drift a bit at times.
It hasn’t been too much of a problem for me at least in Splatoon, since you can reset it when needed and the matches don’t often last too long.

I love it for Splatoon, but don’t use it for much else, at least not as often.
For Resident Evil 5 and 6, I do use it when aiming down sights though. One mission in particular in 5 worked fairly well where I was in control of a turret, the style seemed to work well with gyro.

With some shooters I think it can vary and, while I haven’t tried too many that support it, it varies at times with scoped weapons in particular feeling a bit off. I believe the way Splatoon works where it slowly scopes in works best for it.

I do have RE8 on PS5, but didn’t know it supported gyro so perhaps I’ll give it a try. I’ve been working through a couple other games in the series so I’ve yet to finish it.

@JaxonH
I've been a gamer across many platforms for 36 years and gyro assisted aiming is my favourite and most comfortable way to fine tune my aim. I would love to see 'flick stick' implemented as an option in FPS games on consoles, combine that with gyro for a new level of control. I find that it's difficult to convince my friends who just got Switches to learn gyro aiming, beating them repeatedly may nudge them to try it.

I was purely a controller user for the best part of like 10 to 15 years, before moving to mouse and keyboard. It was a tough transition, I still prefer to have more things on the mouse than on the keyboard, old habits die hard. But even I could see the benefits of the mouse, now I just can’t play many genres on a controller, as it simply feels too stiff, awkward and slow.

Gyro, however, is really the one exception for me. I don’t think it quite matches that of a mouse in just general beat for beat playing time - although I am sure there are some pros out there who can outplay a M&K with gyro. However, just for general use, gyroreally does go a long way to bridge the gap and at least for me, making controller gaming more viable.

It’s weird cause I really don’t like motion controls in general, but I really wish every game gave me the option of fine tuning what I am doing with gyro. I really do think that is the sweet spot for where gyro is at it’s best.

@yokokazuo
They made Village gyro only work when standing still for some reason. But, it does help aiming.

Resident Evil 5, 6, Revelations and Revelations 2 work super well with gyro on Switch. It's all about tuning the sensitivity right.

@Kayvoo
Or show them the aim lab video. Let them see for themselves how good it is.

@Eighties
That video really should be mandatory viewing. Sniper Elite 4 with gyro on Switch is so good. There's a massive number of games that have implemented gyro aiming on Switch. Maybe I'll make a list

@Pizzamorg
At least on Switch and Steam, you get gyro with basically every game. There's a few exceptions (Bioshock Trilogy on Switch doesn't have gyro, for example, but it does on Steam).

Trying to convince dual analog gamers that gyro is superior is like pulling teeth from an alligator. That Nerrel video pretty much shows most ppl's reaction. On occasion you'll encounter an open minded person willing to give it a try, but usually those ppl are PC gamers who already know better input methods exist than dual analog.

This is not a comprehensive list of every game utilizing the gyroscope and accelerometer, but it's every game I'm aware of that uses gyro in a way that plays to its strength by enhancing aiming, rather than being used for gesture inputs, steering or IR pointer emulation.

Switch Games With Quality Gyro Aiming

• Alien Isolation
• Apex Legends
• Assassin's Creed III Remastered
• Assassin's Creed Rebel Collection
• Borderlands
• Borderlands 2
• Borderlands The Pre-Sequel
• Call of Juarez Gunslinger
• Crysis Remastered
• Crysis 2 Remastered
• Crysis 3 Remastered
• Daemon X Machina
• Doom 2016
• Doom Eternal
• Doom 64
• Duke Nukem 3D
• Dying Light
• Fatal Frame Maiden of Black Water
• Fortnite
• Grand Theft Auto III
• Grand Theft Auto Vice City
• Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
• Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice
• Immortal Redneck
• Immortals Fenyx Rising
• L.A. Noire
• Metro 2033 Redux
• Metro Last Light Redux
• Monster Hunter Rise
• New Pokémon Snap
• Stranger's Wrath HD
• Okami HD
• Overwatch
• Paladins
• Plants vs Zombies
• Panzer Dragoon
• Quake Remastered
• Red Faction Remarstered
• Resident Evil 5
• Resident Evil 6
• Resident Evil Revelations
• Resident Evil Revelations 2
• Risk of Rain 2
• Saint's Row The Third
• Saint's Row IV
• Sniper Elite v2
• Sniper Elite III
• Sniper Elite 4
• Splatoon 2
• Skyrim
• Turok
• Turok 2
• Zelda Breath of the Wild
• The Outer Worlds
• Warframe
• Wolfenstein II
• Wolfenstein Youngblood
• World War Z
• Zombie Army Trilogy

Nintendo fandom also has a list of games with Gyro controls
(keep in mind its incomplete as they stated)

https://nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_Switch_game...

As well as this reddit thread with even more games

As for the ones with the best gyro controls obviously nothing is going to top splatoon, but DOOM and Monster Hunter Rise have quality gyro controls.

@JaxonH I bought one of there's gun's for the joycon's but the settings in sniper elite are all over the place when I try to set them. Do you know how to use the settings in sniper elite or what do I content://com.amazon.cloud9.FileProvider/images/screenshot/1641414255376-1753641210.jpg

@iLikeUrAttitude
A lot of games do it as well as Splatoon 2 and Doom Eternal, actually. It's gotten to a point I'm actually surprised when the gyro isn't as well done (such as in Astral Chain, which I didn't list for that reason).

Thanks for the reddit list, btw.

@Ninfan
I don't know about any gun accessories (your picture link isn't working, try using https://postimages.org/ and copying the "Hotlink for Forums" link. Just make sure after pasting the link you check for ad links added to the end, which is how they keep the site free.

I also dont know which Sniper Elite game you're referring to- v2, III or 4. Anyways, I use the default gyro settings in Sniper Elite and they work fine. Just have to activate gyro in settings, that's all there is to it.

@JaxonH Oh that's good to hear that developers are recognizing the demand for gyro and implementing accordingly instead of half baking it like Fortnite on switch did.
I should've specified from the games I played that's my bad.

And no problem for the list, happy to contribute.

A must watch video on the Steam Controller’s innovations and how it’s legacy gave birth to Steam Input, the single most underrated feature of PC gaming

@JaxonH
Call of Juarez Gunslinger is ruined by poor gyro implementation. If you select inverted aiming it also inverts the gyro! Can't believe it happened in the first place from such a good company, let alone never got fixed. I love the game but have no reason to play it on Switch.

@Kayvoo
Guess I never had that problem because I don't play inverted. But for those that do, it's definitely something to be aware of.

Holy moly!

Someone cracked 100,000 score in AimLab using gyro. That's a new world record I believe

@Ralizah
Horizon Forbidden West will have gyro aiming on PS5!!!

IMMEDIATE preorder! I said I would wait for Steam unless it has Gyro, which I doubt, but... it has Gyro!

No idea if the PS4 version will have gyro though.

@JaxonH I saw.

No PS5 yet, and I'm not in a rush to get one. There's no reason they can't do gyro on PS4, though, so hopefully they're not locking a basic hardware feature like this behind a $500 paywall.

Anyway, everything so far points to this being a massive improvement over the original. Gyro aiming included.

@Ralizah
We've found the motherlode!

The XIM NEXUS is the best controller I've ever used in my life. This thing is incredible!

For one, the quality of this thing is on another level. It doesn't feel like a 3rd party controller. It doesn't even feel like a 1st party controller. It feels like an Elite controller on par with its price tag. Seriously, this thing is nicer than the Xbox Elite or Scuf controllers. You can't swap analogs but you don't need to. They're quality. And there's 4 buttons on the back- not paddles, but actual buttons, and they're placed in the middle of the controller where your fingers actually can easily press them. 2 per side. Mappable to any other button. For Series X, the console I'm using it for, I did XA on the left and YB on the right so I never have to take my thumb off the analog.

And the triggers! Oh the triggers. Muah! They feel just like Series X triggers. And the Dpad? It's insanely good. Not super clicks but has just the right amount of rock. Buttons are springy with a light click, but not super loud. And the ergonomics? Most comfy controller I've ever held. Even topping the Switch Pro.

It's literally perfect in every way. The only downside is 10 hr battery life on par with Dualsense. Admittedly, that sucks. But it should be enough for any binge session at least. And, you have to have the adapter plugged into the console, with the short USB-C to USB-C cable connecting from the adapter to the official Series X controller. That's the only way it'll work on console. Gotta have the console official controller connected to the adapter. It's not a big deal, really, but worth mentioning.

Good news is, as soon as you do that, it just works. No downloads, no crazy shenanigans getting it to pair. It just works, as if you've been using it on the console for years.

And the app has profiles for basically every game that uses aiming. Hundreds of games. And you just select the game and apply the profile to the controller. It has a translator that undoes any acceleration on the analog movement from the game, then applies its own custom curve from scratch to imitate mouse. It's LEGIT. And, it tells you exactly what the in game sensitivity settings should be to get the ideal response. For Gears 5, it says "Look Sensitivity: 30, Target Sensitivity: 30, Zoom Sensitivity: USER CHOICE, Aim Acceleration: 0" so you know exactly what to set everything at for perfect gyro aiming. My mind is blown how much forethought they put into this.

Probably because they had the XIM APEX keyboard and mouse, which basically does the same thing using the same analog translator. It's just mapping to a gyroscope now instead of a mouse. So all the settings they built up over the years basically carries over.

Now, after typing all that, I went to test it before sharing my verdict. And I was THIS close to erasing everything I'd written, as the gyro seemed completely unreliable in Gears 5. But... it seems it was just that one game, because in Halo Infinite, it works incredibly well! It's not quite on the level of mouse gyro but I gotta be honest, it's good enough to use. And that's what counts. It's the smoothest non-mouse gyro I've ever experienced, with incredible precision and response, and best of all, it's mapped through the translator to feel 1:1, so unlike joystick gyro in Steam, it doesn't have the hypotenuse effect where diagonals travel faster than X or Y individually- with this, diagonals have the same response slope coefficient. So 1" diagonally results in the same mapping on screen in that diagonals as 1" left or right would.

So, in conclusion. It's dope. It's seriously dope. I think Steam with mouse gyro is better still. I think KB/M is better also, especially if using Fragchuck or Azeron with a mouse.

But for PS4 or Series S/X games that don't have gyro, this is pretty dang good. No regrets.