Review: Drag x Drive – A Promising Glimpse into the Future of Motion Gaming on [Gaming News]
Drag x Drive, launching on August 14, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch 2, presents a unique and intriguing take on wheelchair basketball. At first glance, it appears to be a simple 3v3 sports game, but it quickly reveals itself as something more: a compelling showcase of the Switch 2’s innovative Joy-Con 2 motion controls. While the core gameplay loop may not be enough to hold players’ attention long-term, the potential and ingenuity on display are undeniable. On [Gaming News], we delved deep into Drag x Drive to explore its strengths, weaknesses, and overall appeal.
A Novel Control Scheme That Demands Precision
The defining feature of Drag x Drive is undoubtedly its control scheme. Utilizing the Joy-Con 2’s mouse functionality, players propel their wheelchairs with distinct “strides,” mimicking the motion of pushing oneself forward. This control style requires a significant degree of precision and coordination. Reaching top speed necessitates deliberate, extended movements, making it feel more physically engaging than traditional button-based controls.
Mastering the Movement: A Learning Curve
The initial tutorial introduces players to the nuances of the control scheme, emphasizing the importance of exact inputs. While playing on a desk or table may seem intuitive, we found that positioning the Joy-Cons on our legs offered a more comfortable and natural range of motion. However, this approach sometimes hindered our ability to achieve optimal speed and power, particularly when attempting to knock the ball out of an opponent’s grasp.
Turning on a Dime: Fine-Tuning Your Technique
Executing sharp turns requires practice and familiarity with the controls. Players can opt to move one Joy-Con at a time or utilize the brake on one controller for abrupt changes in direction. Mastering these techniques is crucial for navigating the court effectively and maintaining control of the ball.
The Thrills and Frustrations of Wheelchair Basketball
The wheelchair basketball matches in Drag x Drive are fast-paced and action-packed, lasting only three minutes each. This brevity is a welcome feature, given the physical demands of the control scheme. The objective is simple: score baskets in the opponent’s hoop to earn points. However, the game introduces an element of flair by awarding bonus points for performing tricks, such as shooting from the three-point line or utilizing the environment for aerial maneuvers.
Forgiving Shots: A Balancing Act
One aspect of the gameplay that stood out to us was the somewhat forgiving nature of the shots. In many instances, we felt that our shots were less than perfect, yet they still managed to find their way into the basket. It’s possible that the camera perspective, which can sometimes be obscured by the player’s position or the environment, contributes to this sense of leniency. For example, when attempting the halfpipe air trick shot, we often relied on a simple flick of the wrist and a healthy dose of luck, yet the ball consistently went in.
Blast Off!: A Unique Scoring Mechanic
Adding an element of chaos and excitement, Drag x Drive incorporates a “blast” mechanic. After a team scores, any players who are not on the opposing team are blasted away from the basket, giving the scoring team possession of the ball. This creates a dynamic and unpredictable flow to the matches, keeping players on their toes and encouraging strategic positioning.
Beyond Basketball: Minigames and Solo Challenges
In addition to the core basketball gameplay, Drag x Drive features a variety of minigames and solo challenges to keep players engaged. These activities offer a welcome change of pace and provide opportunities to hone your skills with the motion controls.
Circuit Sprint: A Race Against the Clock
Circuit Sprint puts players in a race through a track that surrounds the basketball courts. This minigame tests your ability to navigate the environment quickly and efficiently, avoiding obstacles along the way. While the concept is straightforward, some of the random obstacles can be frustrating to overcome.
Rebound Scramble: A Battle for Possession
Rebound Scramble involves a ball being dropped from the sky and bouncing around the court. The first player to position themselves underneath the ball and “catch” it wins. This minigame is all about speed, reflexes, and familiarity with the controls. We found Rebound Scramble to be more enjoyable than Circuit Sprint, thanks to its focus on quick reactions and strategic positioning.
Solo Challenges: Advanced Tutorials in Disguise
The solo challenges scattered around the park serve as effective training exercises. These challenges task players with performing specific actions, such as jumping rope, racing, or executing trick shots. We found these challenges particularly helpful for improving our movement and turning skills, which were crucial for success in the basketball matches.
The Long-Term Appeal: A Question Mark
Despite its innovative controls and engaging gameplay, Drag x Drive faces a significant challenge: retaining players’ interest over the long term. After a few rounds, the core gameplay loop can become somewhat repetitive, and there is little in the way of progression or reward to keep players coming back.
Cosmetic Customization: A Limited Incentive
The game offers cosmetic rewards for playing and winning matches, such as decorative rings and helmet customization options. However, these incentives feel somewhat superficial and may not be enough to motivate players to continue playing. For example, we were content with the cat helmet available from the start and didn’t feel compelled to unlock any others.
Tricks and Flair: Limited Impact
While Drag x Drive allows players to perform various tricks, such as bunny hops and wheelies, the impact of these maneuvers on the gameplay is minimal. The bonus points awarded for these tricks (0.2 to 0.3 points) are negligible and don’t justify the extra effort required to execute them.
The Community Factor: A Crucial Element
The success of Drag x Drive hinges on its ability to cultivate a thriving community of players. While the game includes bots to fill in during matches, the real excitement comes from competing against other people. However, attracting and retaining a player base will be a challenge, given the game’s $20 price tag, the requirement of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, and the stiff competition from other multiplayer games like Mario Kart World.
The Bot Advantage: A Double-Edged Sword
The bots in Drag x Drive are surprisingly competent, especially at higher difficulty levels. While they provide a decent challenge, they cannot replicate the unpredictability and strategic depth of human opponents. Relying too heavily on bots could diminish the overall experience and discourage players from investing in the game.
A Promising Proof of Concept: Room for Improvement
Overall, Drag x Drive is an interesting and innovative take on wheelchair basketball, showcasing the potential of the Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 motion controls. While the core gameplay is engaging and the minigames offer a welcome change of pace, the game lacks the depth and long-term appeal necessary to keep players invested.
Potential Enhancements: Expanding the Experience
To improve Drag x Drive, we would like to see the addition of features such as a single-player campaign, more extensive customization options, and some form of league or ranking system. These additions would provide players with more goals to pursue and a greater sense of progression, ultimately enhancing the overall experience.
A Technical Showcase: A Glimpse into the Future
Despite its shortcomings, Drag x Drive serves as a compelling technical showcase for the Switch 2’s motion controls. It demonstrates the potential for immersive and engaging gameplay experiences that go beyond traditional button-based inputs. While it may not be a must-have title at launch, Drag x Drive offers a glimpse into the future of motion gaming and is worth checking out for those curious about the capabilities of the Switch 2.
Final Verdict: An Experimental Novelty Worth Exploring
Drag x Drive is an experimental novelty that offers a unique and engaging take on wheelchair basketball. While it may not be a perfect game, it showcases the potential of the Switch 2’s motion controls and offers a glimpse into the future of gaming. If you’re looking for something different and are willing to embrace a new control scheme, Drag x Drive is worth checking out. However, be aware that the long-term appeal may be limited for some players. On [Gaming News] we hope to see this game be a blast to play with your friends.