SWITCH 2 REVIEW | Drag x Drive

After years away from Nintendo, I finally returned with the Switch 2, and Drag x Drive became my unexpected re-entry point. My last real experience with motion controls was back in the Wii era, so I was eager to see how far things had come. The Switch 2’s new Joy-Con mouse functionality intrigued me, and when I got the chance to review Drag x Drive, a futuristic take on wheelchair basketball, I couldn’t resist. 

Drag x Drive marks a bold step forward in Nintendo’s sports lineup, and it’s the first game I’ve reviewed on the Switch 2. Built around a futuristic version of wheelchair basketball, it combines fast-paced action with some surprisingly deep mechanics. What really caught my attention was the new Joy-Con 2 “mouse mode,” which lets you control each wheel with motion, something I hadn’t seen before. From pulling off aerial tricks on neon half-pipes to executing slick passes in 3v3 matches, Drag x Drive feels like a fresh take on competitive gameplay, and it’s unlike anything I’ve played from Nintendo in the past.

Things I liked!

• Intuitive Motion Controls | I was surprised at how quickly I adapted to the Joy-Con 2 controls. I started using them on a flat table, but found it easier and more natural to rest them on my legs, which gave me better control. The game includes a tutorial that covers the basics, movement, passing, and shooting, but many advanced techniques are tucked away in menus, so experimentation is key. Driving forward involves pushing both Joy-Cons ahead in unison, while turning requires sliding them in opposite directions. It’s a tactile system that takes some getting used to, but once it clicks, it feels intuitive. Shooting and passing use motion-based gestures: raise and flick a Joy-Con to shoot, or tilt and flick to pass. These controls add a physical, immersive feel to each match, especially in the fast-paced 3v3 format with neon-lit half-pipes and aerial trick shots. Though unconventional at first, the control scheme clearly aims to push the boundaries of motion-based gameplay on the Switch 2.

• Fast-Paced 3v3 Matches | The heart of Drag x Drive lies in its electrifying 3v3 matches. Each game is a fast-paced showdown where players zip across neon-lit courts, pulling off trick shots and coordinating slick passes in real time. The compact arenas and short match length keep the action tight and relentless, there’s no downtime, just constant movement and momentum. In the matches I played, the other players were much like me: making plenty of mistakes, missing passes, and fumbling shots. But that only added to the fun. It made the experience feel more chaotic, more human, and way more entertaining. Whether you’re dodging defenders with a bunny hop or slamming in a last-second dunk, every match feels like a highlight reel. It’s competitive, messy, and a total adrenaline rush.
  
  
• Customisation & Platstyles | Drag x Drive lets you personalise your character with different helmets, colours, and textures for your gear. You unlock new styles by completing challenges like time trials and bot matches. There are also preset playstyles that tweak your stats to suit how you play, whether you prefer speed, stronger shots, accurate passing, or physical defence. Each style feels different and changes your gear’s look, giving you room to experiment and find what fits. While you can’t change facial features, there’s still plenty of ways to stand out on the court.

Mixed & disliked!

• Visuals | The visuals in Drag x Drive are surprisingly lifeless. For a Nintendo title, you’d expect bold colours and memorable characters, but this feels like the opposite. Flat environments, forgettable designs, and a lack of flair make it hard to stay visually engaged. Even Mario Strikers: Battle League, which faced its own criticism for limited content, still delivered more personality and polish in its arenas and character animations. Compared to that, Drag x Drive looks more like a tech demo than a finished product.

• Sound | The sound in Drag x Drive is a major letdown. The music is forgettable, generic loops that fail to match the intensity or pace of the gameplay. There’s no build-up, no payoff, and nothing that sticks with you after a match. Sound effects are equally flat, with weak audio cues for shooting, passing, and scoring that barely register. There’s little to no crowd noise or ambient atmosphere to elevate the action, which makes the matches feel oddly lifeless. For a game built around fast-paced, competitive play, the audio lacks impact and energy, leaving the whole experience feeling strangely hollow.
  
  
• Limited Replayability | Drag x Drive feels disappointingly thin. Once you’ve played a few matches, it quickly becomes clear how little there is beyond the core gameplay. The single-player options are barely worth mentioning, bot matches and time trials offer little challenge or variety, and the mini-games like Rebound Scramble and Circuit Sprint feel half-baked, more like filler than actual content. Progression is equally weak. Unlocking gear and cosmetics might sound rewarding, but most of it feels superficial, with no real impact on gameplay or sense of achievement. There’s no story mode, no ranked online play, and no meaningful systems to keep players coming back.

How long did I play the review before publishing? 5 Hours
How long to beat the story? N/A
You’ll love this game if you like these | Arms and Mario Strikers: Battle League

CONCLUSION

Score: 60/100

Drag x Drive delivers fast, flashy fun in short bursts, but it runs out of steam quickly. The gameplay is fresh and exciting, yet the lack of depth and content makes it hard to stick with for the long haul. Flat visuals and weak sound design do little to elevate the experience.