A motion controlled handheld device includes a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate an image and a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface. The components comprise a first component parallel to the viewable surface, a second component parallel to the viewable surface and perpendicular to the first component, and a third component perpendicular to the viewable surface. The device includes a motion processing module operable to compare the components, to isolate a preferred one of the components based on the comparison, and to adjust a magnitude of the preferred component by an augmentation factor. The device also includes a motion response module operable to modify the image based on the augmented preferred component.