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How to Turn Off Motion Controls on Nintendo Switch in 6 Steps (with Photos)

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How to Turn Off Motion Controls on Nintendo Switch in 6 Steps (with Photos)

Motion controls are an integral part of the Nintendo Switch gaming experience. Nintendo has been pushing hard for motion controls ever since the Nintendo Wii came out, which almost entirely relied on user motion.

Many players do not want to get up and dance around just to play a video game and would rather use standard buttons. So, it’s understandable to want to turn off the motion controls on your Nintendo Switch console!

Below, we will walk you through the steps to disable motion controls in select games. The downside is that this only works in certain games, and there is no way to turn off motion controls altogether on your Nintendo Switch console.

Let’s get started with the super simple steps.

Step 1: Launch a Compatible Game

The first thing you need to do is launch a compatible game. This is very important because not every game works without motion controls. One of the best examples of games that let you turn off motion controls is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Simply insert the cartridge if you have one and start the game form the home screen.

turn off motion controls nintendo
You can only turn off motion controls with a compatible game.

©History-Computer.com

Compatible with Motion Controls
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
$46.99
  • 4-player multiplayer in 1080p while playing in TV Mode
  • Every track from the Wii U version makes a return, including DLC
  • All-new guest characters, along with returning favorites, such as King Boo, Bowser Jr., and Dry Bones
  • Choose a new Smart Steering feature that makes driving and staying on the track easy for anyone
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/28/2023 10:45 pm GMT

Step 2: Open the Settings Menu

Next, open the Settings menu once the game is running by pressing the A button.

This can be confusing because each game has a slightly different menu system. Some games will list this as an options menu or just have a gear icon.

turn off motion controls nintendo
Press the A button.

©History-Computer.com

Step 3: Scroll Down to Motion Controls

After getting the menu open, you will need to scroll down until you find the option for motion controls.

There is no set terminology that is used, but typically the selection will have the words Motion Controls in it. If you can’t find a Motion Control setting, then it may not be an option for that game.

turn off motion controls nintendo
Find the Motion Controls option from the Settings menu.

©History-Computer.com

Step 4: Toggle Motion Controls to Off

Now that you found the setting for motion controls, you will need to actually turn it off. Most games have a toggle function that you can change by using the right D-pad button.

Be sure that you don’t use the left D-pad button because some menus use it to return to default settings.

turn off motion controls nintendo
Click the right D-pad button.

©History-Computer.com

Step 5: Go Back to Game

Finally, you can go back to the game and start playing. On most games, you can do this by pressing the B button, the + button, or even the down button on the D-pad.

From there, you will want to go back to the game’s Main Menu. Pick a game mode that would normally require motion controls to make sure the changes worked correctly.

turn off motion controls nintendo
Go back into your game and navigate to the Main Menu to pick a game mode requiring motion controls.

©History-Computer.com

Step 6: Choose Button Controls If Necessary

On certain games, there is another option once you start playing to either use the Joy-con’s motion controls or turn them off. For games that allow different controller configurations, this is where it will ask how you will play. Keep in mind that you can use the Joy-cons with one in each hand, with the included Joy-con holder, or even with a Switch Pro Controller.

turn off motion controls nintendo
Choose button controls if needed.

©History-Computer.com

Disable All Motion Controls on Switch

While the steps above will help you disable motion controls and games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it will not disable motion controls altogether on your Switch. In addition, not every game supports the disabling of motion controls. For instance, certain games like 1 2 Switch require motion controls in order to play them.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to get around that, and it seems like a great oversight for people who have physical limitations since it would not allow them to play these motion-based games. If you’re struggling to find a way to play a specific game without motion controls, it is best to look at the game’s manual or contact its developer for more information.

For a helpful walkthrough of the steps mentioned in this article, check out this video:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Switch Lite have motion controls?

Yes, even though it does not have removable Joy-cons, the console still has motion controls.

Do all games use motion controls?

No, most games do not use motion controls, but certain titles do take advantage of this extra technology.

Why can't you disable motion controls entirely?

Some games require motion controls to be able to play, such as 1 2 Switch. Therefore, you cannot disable motion controls entirely on the Switch.

Does Mario Kart 8 Deluxe use motion controls?

Yes, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe does use motion controls for steering, which works similarly to the Wii Wheel. However, you can disable motion controls in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and play with controller buttons.

Can you disable motion controls on Nintendo Switch Sports?

No, unlike Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, motion controls are integral to Switch Sports’s gameplay and cannot be disabled.

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