A machine performs menu modification based on information that indicates how a controller device was manipulated by a user. The machine causes a media device to display a portion of a menu. The machine accesses controller manipulation data generated by a controller device in fully or partially controlling the media device, such as controller manipulation data that indicates a sequence of physical manipulations experienced by the controller device being operated by a user to select menu items. Based on the sequence of physical manipulations, the machine selects a profile identifier from a set of profile identifiers. Based on the profile identifier, the machine selects a first subset of the menu. The first subset indicates menu items to be hidden, unlike a second subset of the menu. The machine causes the media device to modify the menu by omitting the first subset while continuing to display the second subset.