Doom Switch Update's New Motion Controls Win Praise From Fans

Surprise update lets you utilize the Switch's gyroscope.

News by Kat Bailey, Editor in Chief

Updated on 20 February 2018

In a surprise move by Bethesda and developer Panic Button Games, DOOM (2016) for the Nintendo Switch received brand new motion controls in an update that went live earlier today.

The new motion controls allow you to tilt your system, JoyCons, or Switch Pro Controller for more precise aiming. Bethesda thoughtfully included an image highlighting the new feature in their blog showcasing the update.

The update won praise from fans, who likened it to Splatoon and other motion control success stories in the shooter space.

@PanicButtonGame Thank you guys so much for the wonderful patch for DOOM. You fixed the main issues in the game and even went the extra mile by adding motion controls, improved resolution, and even a snazzy new icon! Thank you guys so much!
— Spongebob Popsicle (@icepopsponge) February 20, 2018

Finally DOOM on the Switch is worth buying now with those motion controls.
— iamflip (@iamflip) February 20, 2018

Fans were similiarly positive on Reddit. "Friendly reminder that the motion aiming kicks ass," one user wrote.

Why is everyone so happy? Because the new controls subtly add a great deal of precision to the aiming. Ars Technica has a pretty good breakdown of what exactly DOOM's motion controls bring to the table.

DOOM was released on the Switch last November. Panic Button Games did an admirable job adapting it for the less powerful platform, though they ultimately had to sacrifice resolution to maintain a smooth framerate.

Aside from motion controls, the February update fixes some smaller issues while adding multiplayer parties. It also adds an updated game icon that matches the boxart if you're finicky about those sorts of things. You can read the complete patch notes here.

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Kat Bailey

Editor in Chief

Kat Bailey is a former freelance writer and contributor to publications including 1UP, IGN, GameSpot, GamesRadar, and EGM. Her fondest memories as a journalist are at GamePro, where she hosted RolePlayer's Realm and had legal access to the term "Protip." She is USgamer's resident mecha enthusiast, Pokemon Master, and Minnesota Vikings nut (skol).