History Main / PlayerGuidedMissile

* ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'' has the Redeemer, a one-shot nuclear missile launcher with a large blast radius. Its alt-fire capability allows the wielder to guide it towards a target with a first-person camera view. It ''does'' leave the player vulnerable to attack in the meantime.

Note that an example only counts if the player has more or less ''direct'' control of the projectile's flight path -- simply [[MissileLockOn "aiming" or "locking on"]] to a target before firing isn't enough. Also note that these only count when wielded by a live human player, as there's no way to distinguish it from a normal homing missile if it's fired from the hands of an AI-controlled character.

** In ''Brawl'', Solid Snake can fire player-controlled missiles.

* ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'''s Rocket Launcher is needed to take down an enemy helicopter boss that has impenetrable defenses from the front. The player has to fire the missile off past the boss and then aim the laser directly at it to steer the missile into its backside.

This is TruthInTelevision, as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_command_to_line_of_sight manual command to line-of-sight]] systems to guide rockets or missiles exist. These homing methods rely on the operator to steer the missile's flight path via joystick; the commands from the joystick is relayed to the missile via various methods, most popularly via [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire-guided_missile wire guidance]]. That being said, they are nowhere near as precisely maneuverable as their VideoGame counterparts, and require ''extensive'' regular training to operate. For this reason, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-automatic_command_to_line_of_sight semi-automatic command to line-of-sight]] systems are more popular and reliable. The operator firing the missile does not need to actually adjust the missile manually; merely aiming continuously at the target is enough.

* The ''Franchise/MetalGear'' series has a few segments where the player must use a [[http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Nikita_missile Nikita missile]], usually to solve an electrified-floor puzzle. In the 8-bit games, the missiles travelled and steered at right angles. Snake even sports a Nikita Missile launcher in his ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' appearance; the player can control the missile in flight, though it does travel faster in straight lines.

* The LicencedGame based on ''WesternAnimation/{{Robots}}'' required the player, as Rodney, to control Wonderbot to go to places Rodney can't reach and activate machinery.

* The ''Franchise/MetalGear'' series has a few segments where the player must use a [[http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Nikita_missile Nikita missile]], usually to solve an electrified-floor puzzle. In the 8-bit games, the missiles travelled and steered at right angles.
** Snake even sports a Nikita Missile launcher in his ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' appearance; the player can control the missile in flight, though it does travel faster in straight lines.

* The Visibomb gun in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002'' and [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando the sequel]] is steerable, but its [[ArrowCam Missile Cam]] loses reception (and gives out) beyond a certain range.

* The Mosquito in ''VideoGame/{{Einhander}}''. Because of this, it is AwesomeButImpractical.

* In the {{Xbox 360}} Kinect game ''Wreckateer'', the Flying Shot can be steered using your arms - raise them up to fly higher, or down to dive. To a lesser extent, the basic shots can be steered by waving your hands over the shot as it is in flight.

* Most games in the ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' series since ''[[VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar the fifth installment]]'' have the Semi-Active Air-to-Air Missile (SAAM) available as a subweapon. It's powerful enough to take down any enemy in one shot, and it has the longest range of any weapon, but the target must be manually kept in the radar lock circle for the entirety of the missile's flight. Contrast with self-guided missiles that work at closer ranges and are fire-and-forget.

Note that an example only counts if the player has more or less ''direct'' control of the projectile's flight path -- simply "aiming" or "locking on" to a target before firing isn't enough. Also note that these only count when wielded by a live human player, as there's no way to distinguish it from a normal homing missile if it's fired from the hands of an AI-controlled character.

* While ''Film/TomorrowNeverDies'' is a film, the villain had a buzzsaw torpedo which can be guided through ships and travel upward if necessary cutting through the hull.

* [[EleventhHourSuperpower Just before]] ''VideoGame/BionicCommando Rearmed''s FinalBoss battle, your [[AlmostDeadGuy dying helicopter pilot]] gives you a remote-control missile upgrade for the Bazooka, which is required to hit the cockpit of the Leader's gunship.

** The Flare Beam ability in ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamland'' is a giant energy orb that can be guided to collide against multiple enemies at once. The ESP ability from ''VideoGame/KirbyPlanetRobobot'' is pretty much a weaker form of it with extra attacks.

* ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'' has some games where the trajectory of the thrown Cutter can be steered up or down before going backwards. Likewise, the Flare Beam ability in ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamland'' is a giant energy orb that can be guided to collide against multiple enemies at once. Finally, ''[[VideoGame/KirbyAndTheAmazingMirror Amazing Mirror]]'' has the Missile ability where Kirby actually turns into one of these.

* In ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'', the secondary firing mode of [[NukeEm The Redeemer]] is this trope.

* Missiles in ''{{Starglider}}'' are player guided with a MissileCam and are the only way to destroy the eponymous Stargliders - lasers are completely ineffective.

* One of the earlier examples comes from ''{{VideoGame/Archon}} II'', in which the ability of Adepts to switch between regular movement and redirecting their powerful magic missiles made them among the strongest pieces in combat (if still generally too valuable to risk). Interestingly, in AI hands the missiles appeared to use creature behavior rather than that of a basic homing projectile; they would often aim to cut off a target's escape points or "juggle" while deciding on an incoming route.

* The Visibomb gun in ''RatchetAndClank'' is steerable, but its MissileCam loses reception (and gives out) beyond a certain range.

There is some TruthInTelevision here, as there are a variety of "manual command line-of-sight" systems to guide rockets or missiles: [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire-guided_missile wire-guided missiles]], for example, trail thin wires connecting them back to the launcher so the operator can steer the missile's flight path (though they are nowhere near as precisely maneuverable as their VideoGame counterparts, and require ''extensive'' regular training to operate).

* Although magic boomerangs are a recurring item in ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' series, only the version in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons]]'' can be controlled in mid-air. Boomerangs and Bombchus in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass'' and ''SpiritTracks'' are similar in that the player can sketch out a custom flight path with the stylus, though they have no control over them during flight.