Wheelie good fun
By Paul Hunter
Drag x Drive arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 as a three-on-three wheelchair basketball game that leans into the console’s mouse controls. You steer each wheel with the Joy-Cons, use motion controls for passes and shots, and the result is short, tense matches that demand coordination and timing.
Beyond the core court, there are skill challenges and minigames that teach movement, shooting and tricks. Online options let you set up Friend or Public Parks, invite others, or face bots when you want practice. Cosmetic slots let you tweak helmets, colours and textures, and you pick a role—Guard, Forward or Centre—before tip-off.
Visually the arenas lean futuristic and functional, and the package is modest in scope. That said, the technical depth of the mouse controls and the tight match format make it a rewarding test for anyone willing to learn.
So, will getting to grips with the mouse controls and court tactics make Drag x Drive worth checking out on Switch 2? Let’s find out!
Drag x Drive centres its whole control idea on treating each Joy-Con like a wheel. Pushing both forwards moves you ahead, pushing one turns you that way, and the brakes give you sharper stops. It might feel odd at first, then becomes an oddly satisfying rhythm.
There are two things to learn. One is the basketball side—when to pass, when to cut, and when to take a long shot. The other is mastering the mouse controls. Work on both and you’ll start pulling off quick passes followed by tight turns.
Tricks add flair. You can bunny hop for extra height, tilt onto one wheel for a trick shot, or hit the half-pipe for flair. They’re great when they work; but everything takes practice. I remember trying a bunny hop mid-run only to wobble into a hard turn—fun, but there is a learning curve.
Shooting is mostly wrist work: lift an arm and flick. The gyro aims correctly most of the time, but sometimes a tiny variation sends a lob off target. The rumble in the Joy-Cons helps you sense collisions and makes certain interactions feel weighty, which I liked.
Single-player tests are practical and varied. Slalom courses sharpen turning, timed shooting drills teach arc and range, and mini-events offer quick practice that pays out customization helmets and small rewards. They make the learning curve more fun.
Be warned: ergonomics matter. Playing on a desk worked, but my wrist started cramping after long sessions; switching to my legs as a surface eased that. The controls respond to tiny motion differences, so steadiness is key.
Online is where Drag x Drive comes alive. Matches are short, roughly three minutes, and the pace forces you to think fast. You need to position yourself, time passes, and work with teammates to set up scores. Teamwork is not optional; coordinated passing and quick decision-making often decide the outcome.
You can play in Friend Parks or Public Parks, and private lobbies use Park IDs for invite-only sessions. The host can set up simultaneous 3v3 matches that let up to twelve people run separate games in the same arena, and you can spectate other matches to learn or just watch the chaos unfold. Between matches the arena offers minigames and side activities that teach skills or offer quick diversions. You can opt in or out of these.
GameChat works smoothly and raises the fun factor when you’re coordinating with friends. That social element helps turn short matches into memorable moments, especially when you pull off a well-timed steal or a last-second three.
There are, however, limits. Online options are basic: there are no alternate match types or deep ladders, and Public Park restrictions mean you can’t always drop into random matches with a friend. Still, for group sessions and quick competitive bouts, the online suite does most of what matters.
Drag x Drive’s look is clean and modern, with arenas that favour a streamlined, futuristic aesthetic. There’s a simplicity to the stage design that keeps the court readable during fast action. Characters lean into robotic styling that is oddly endearing, though the environments could use more variety to feel truly memorable.
Performance is a highlight. Matches run smoothly and inputs register without noticeable lag. The Joy-Con rumble adds satisfying bumps to collisions and makes the on-court physics feel more tangible. That tactile element helps when you’re timing a pass or bracing for contact.
Aiming with the gyro mostly works well. Flicks translate into shots with gratifying precision, but there are moments when the motion input misinterprets a gesture and a lob sails wide. Tricks and advanced manoeuvres are fun to pull off, yet they can be temperamental; sometimes a tiny difference in how you hold the controller changes everything.
In short, Drag x Drive’s presentation is functional and polished where it counts. It leans on simplicity and feedback rather than flashy backdrops, and that design choice benefits the gameplay while leaving room for more character in future updates.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Drag x Drive arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 as a three-on-three wheelchair basketball game that leans into the console’s mouse controls. You steer each wheel with the Joy-Cons, use motion controls for passes and shots, and the result is short, tense matches that demand coordination and timing.
Beyond the core court, there are skill challenges and minigames that teach movement, shooting and tricks. Online options let you set up Friend or Public Parks, invite others, or face bots when you want practice. Cosmetic slots let you tweak helmets, colours and textures, and you pick a role—Guard, Forward or Centre—before tip-off.
Visually the arenas lean futuristic and functional, and the package is modest in scope. That said, the technical depth of the mouse controls and the tight match format make it a rewarding test for anyone willing to learn.
So, will getting to grips with the mouse controls and court tactics make Drag x Drive worth checking out on Switch 2? Let’s find out!
Drag x Drive centres its whole control idea on treating each Joy-Con like a wheel. Pushing both forwards moves you ahead, pushing one turns you that way, and the brakes give you sharper stops. It might feel odd at first, then becomes an oddly satisfying rhythm.
There are two things to learn. One is the basketball side—when to pass, when to cut, and when to take a long shot. The other is mastering the mouse controls. Work on both and you’ll start pulling off quick passes followed by tight turns.
Tricks add flair. You can bunny hop for extra height, tilt onto one wheel for a trick shot, or hit the half-pipe for flair. They’re great when they work; but everything takes practice. I remember trying a bunny hop mid-run only to wobble into a hard turn—fun, but there is a learning curve.
Shooting is mostly wrist work: lift an arm and flick. The gyro aims correctly most of the time, but sometimes a tiny variation sends a lob off target. The rumble in the Joy-Cons helps you sense collisions and makes certain interactions feel weighty, which I liked.
Single-player tests are practical and varied. Slalom courses sharpen turning, timed shooting drills teach arc and range, and mini-events offer quick practice that pays out customization helmets and small rewards. They make the learning curve more fun.
Be warned: ergonomics matter. Playing on a desk worked, but my wrist started cramping after long sessions; switching to my legs as a surface eased that. The controls respond to tiny motion differences, so steadiness is key.
Online is where Drag x Drive comes alive. Matches are short, roughly three minutes, and the pace forces you to think fast. You need to position yourself, time passes, and work with teammates to set up scores. Teamwork is not optional; coordinated passing and quick decision-making often decide the outcome.
You can play in Friend Parks or Public Parks, and private lobbies use Park IDs for invite-only sessions. The host can set up simultaneous 3v3 matches that let up to twelve people run separate games in the same arena, and you can spectate other matches to learn or just watch the chaos unfold. Between matches the arena offers minigames and side activities that teach skills or offer quick diversions. You can opt in or out of these.
GameChat works smoothly and raises the fun factor when you’re coordinating with friends. That social element helps turn short matches into memorable moments, especially when you pull off a well-timed steal or a last-second three.
There are, however, limits. Online options are basic: there are no alternate match types or deep ladders, and Public Park restrictions mean you can’t always drop into random matches with a friend. Still, for group sessions and quick competitive bouts, the online suite does most of what matters.
Drag x Drive’s look is clean and modern, with arenas that favour a streamlined, futuristic aesthetic. There’s a simplicity to the stage design that keeps the court readable during fast action. Characters lean into robotic styling that is oddly endearing, though the environments could use more variety to feel truly memorable.
Performance is a highlight. Matches run smoothly and inputs register without noticeable lag. The Joy-Con rumble adds satisfying bumps to collisions and makes the on-court physics feel more tangible. That tactile element helps when you’re timing a pass or bracing for contact.
Aiming with the gyro mostly works well. Flicks translate into shots with gratifying precision, but there are moments when the motion input misinterprets a gesture and a lob sails wide. Tricks and advanced manoeuvres are fun to pull off, yet they can be temperamental; sometimes a tiny difference in how you hold the controller changes everything.
In short, Drag x Drive’s presentation is functional and polished where it counts. It leans on simplicity and feedback rather than flashy backdrops, and that design choice benefits the gameplay while leaving room for more character in future updates.
The Verdict
Drag x Drive transforms wheelchair basketball into a precise, fast-paced challenge on Nintendo Switch 2. Mastering the mouse controls rewards timing, teamwork, and skillful use of tricks like bunny hops and tilts. Single-player challenges and mini-games help refine techniques, while online Friend and Public Parks with GameChat make coordination satisfying. The futuristic arenas and responsive controls are solid, and haptic feedback adds tactile depth. Ergonomics and lack of control remapping are minor limits, but thoughtful disability representation, cosmetic customisation, and a modest price make it a satisfying and fun sports experience.Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Drag x Drive details
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.