Nintendo’s Drag x Drive takes wheelchair basketball in a direction few games have tried before. It leans into the Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 “mouse mode” controls, asking you to mimic pushing a wheelchair with both controllers, steering by tilting or dragging one side more than the other. It’s a clever concept, and for stretches it absolutely comes together in a way that feels fresh, even if you do finish game feeling like you’ve had a full-on workout.
Matches are quick, with three-on-three outings that only last a handful of minutes and don’t overstay their welcome. That keeps the pace snappy, makes it easier to jump in and out without burning out. Online multiplayer works, letting you face off with others, and the trick-shot mechanics, especially in arenas with ramps and half-pipes, give you moments of flair when you pull off something slick.
The controls take some getting used to, but you’ve got to give Nintendo full marks for trying something novel and interesting. Moving the Joy-Cons across surfaces (tables, legs, nearby pets), using gestures for shooting and passing… at first it feels like learning a new dance. But once you get into a rhythm, slamming a dunk or dodging an opponent with a sharp turn feels satisfying. When you hit that groove, Drag x Drive does something right, and there’s nothing more satisfying than taking an awesome pass from your teammate and flinging yourself up to perform an epic dunk to win the game.
There’s also some solid representation here. Wheelchair basketball is not something you see often in mainstream gaming, and the game leans into it without exploiting it. The roles you can pick (Guard, Center, Forward) give a small layer of strategy, and the mildly customisable players and “vehicles” (chairs to you and me) does at least bring about some elements of making your character your own. More could be done here though, and I’d expect to see some more heavy customisation in the future.
Visuals and presentation aren’t the strongest selling points, but they hold up. Arenas are simple, “industrial”, not bursting with colour, but clean enough. The design keeps focus on what matters: gameflow and control. When you’re mid-match, mechanic clarity matters more than flashy textures, and with things getting a bit bonkers at times it’s nice to not have the overly hectic Rocket League style of arenas.
There are trade-offs, as you might expect from such a unique and niche title. Playing for long stretches can get tiring on the arms and wrists, as mentioned earlier. Some modes aren’t overly fleshed out however, and the game leans heavily on its core 3v3 matches, so once the novelty wears off the weaknesses show. But for what it sets out to do, mixing sport, experiment with controls, and offering something different, it manages a strong showing.
If you’re into trying new control schemes, enjoy sports games with a twist, or want to play something that feels like a breath of fresh air, Drag x Drive delivers more than you might expect. It isn’t perfect, but is a really nice price for a first party game, and definitely earns its right to be played, just as long as you’re not one to moan about aching limbs after you’ve played a game for half an hour…
Reviewed on Switch 2
