By now, we’re used to Nintendo selling us games that were originally created as tech demos, and Drag X Drive is without a doubt the most recent example of this trend. At its core, the game simply showcases one possible use for the mouse function built into the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons.
You won’t find a gripping story here, nor any memorable gameplay that keeps you coming back. The visuals are generic, limited to a single stage and three types of robots, each with progressively larger arms. Customization is minimal you can only change the robot’s secondary color or helmet style. There’s also no progression system, rewards, or clear incentives to keep playing.
Gameplay revolves around moving the Joy-Cons on a surface such as a table or your lap to control a robot in a wheelchair. Pushing both controllers forward or backward moves you in those directions; moving only the right Joy-Con turns you left, and vice versa. Adjusting to this control scheme is almost torture, and there’s no way to change it.
Once you get the hang of that, the game asks you to pull off tricks: shooting from the three-point line, from the two-point line, or simply dunking. Yes, Drag X Drive is essentially a wheelchair basketball game in a 3-on-3 format. Mastering all the mechanics might bring a bit of fun… until your hands start to hurt, thanks to the Joy-Cons’ lack of ergonomic design for long play sessions.
The main focus is online multiplayer with random players, but if you want to play with friends, you’ll have to gather a full team of six, as the game doesn’t allow filling empty slots with bots in private matches.
In the end, Drag X Drive is a mediocre experience that only succeeds in showing off the Joy-Cons’ potential. As a video game, it offers a novel idea with poor execution.
Final Score: 2/5
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