Drag x Drive review – dragging down Nintendo’s reputation

Nintendo’s latest first party game for the Switch 2 is a budget-priced wheelchair basketball game, that makes very clever use of the Joy-Con controllers.

One shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, or a video game by its trailer, but Drag x Drive has turned out to be exactly what it appeared to be. It’s a tech demo masquerading as a game, with so few options and features it feels more like a cheaply made indie title, rather than what is so far Nintendo’s one and only attempt at an original IP for the Switch 2.

While all this is true it doesn’t mean the game isn’t fun, but it does feel incredibly thin. Anyone upset that Welcome Tour wasn’t given away free really weren’t missing out on anything, but this definitely should’ve been a free pack-in for the Switch 2. Because as insubstantial as it is, it is a good demonstration of what a developer as inventive as Nintendo can do with mouse controls.

However, since there’s no way to play it locally (apart from anything, you need two Joy-Cons per player) its longevity depends entirely on how much you’re going to be playing it online. Which we’re going to bet is not very long.

The premise of Drag x Drive is very simple: it’s a low fantasy version of wheelchair basketball, that is faintly reminiscent of Amiga classic Speedball 2. It’s not nearly as violent as that game but the edges of the arena do have skateboard park style halfpipe ramps you can drive up, so it’s not meant to be a realistic simulation.

In terms of the controls, the idea is that you hold a Joy-Con in each hand, using them in mouse mode to simulate you rolling the wheels on the wheelchair. Since the Joy-Cons work perfectly well on your thighs (assuming they’re covered by something with an even texture), there’s no need to be near a table, even if that is the preferred option.

It’s a wonderful idea, of the sort that only Nintendo would come up with, when presented with a new control system, but it’s a crying shame there isn’t much of a game to go along with it.

To move forward you simply brush the Joy-Cons on your legs, while turning involves what are essentially tank controls, i.e. you hold the left one still (or pull it backwards) but push the right one forward to turn left. That’s not a control system most people will be used to, and it takes a good few minutes to gain even a semblance of control over your character.

Actually competing in a match is, naturally, even more difficult, as while the game is very generous in terms of how close you need to be in terms of collecting the ball you still have to manoeuvre around the court, while avoiding other players or purposefully knocking into them to get the ball, or getting into position to try and catch it if it’s thrown.

We always approve of any game that requires you to learn new and interesting skills and getting to grips with Drag x Drive’s controls is initially very rewarding. It’s also a very good advert for the Switch 2’s mouse controls, in terms of its precision and the potential for other games, beyond simply controlling a cursor.

Catching and throwing the ball involves physically lifting the Joy-Con up and using its motion controls. You don’t have to be terribly precise with this, which is probably wise on Nintendo’s part, while you can also use the same controls to wave your hand when you want someone to pass you the ball (or you just want to celebrate).

The instant segue from mouse controls to motion controls and back again is great, while also being reminiscent of how Metroid Prime 4 switches control systems on the fly – which we assume is going to be a common theme amongst first party Switch 2 games.

In terms of the basic action, Drag x Drive is very good but when it comes to longevity and variety it doesn’t even seem to be trying. It’s reasonably cheap but not inconsequentially so – not when you’ll probably have had enough of it all after just a day or two.

The problem isn’t the core action but the fact that there’s only one main play mode – a basic 3v3 online match – and virtually nothing else. There’s only one arena, no unlockables beyond different helmet designs, and a small range of mini-games that make you question whether the controls are really as precise as the main mode makes them seem. You can play in single-player against bots but since there’s no meta game it’s pointless as anything but practice.

Even stranger than all that is how visually drab the whole game is. Quite inexplicably, especially for a Nintendo game, the primary colour scheme is various shades of grey, creating a sense of ugly grubbiness. Which would be fine if they were making a military shooter or a survival horror but it’s absolutely bizarre to see in what is meant to be a fun, family-friendly multiplayer game. Even the music is bland and forgettable.

No attempt is made to give any of the players any personality, which reinforces the impression that Nintendo just gave up work halfway through, after meaning to add in proper presentation and a full suite of features later but never getting around to it. If it was a launch game there’d be some excuse, but two months after the Switch 2’s release we feel confident in saying that nobody was on tenterhooks waiting for Drag x Drive to come out as soon as possible.

Nintendo should’ve just put Drag x Drive (even the name is rubbish, but we believe it’s meant to be said ‘Drag and Drive’) back in the oven and waiting until it was ready. Because along with Welcome Tour that’s now two first party duds for the Switch 2, both of which are unforced errors that would’ve been better off not existing at all, rather than tarnishing Nintendo’s reputation in this way.

Formats: Nintendo Switch 2
Price: £16.99
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: 14th August 2025
Age Rating: 3

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