Drag X Drive Review

Drag X Drive Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

Drag X Drive may not have lit up player enthusiasm like other Nintendo IPs, but for me, it was an exciting chance to see a game blend accessibility, representation for wheelchair basketball athletes, and a fun, lower-priced team experience in the vein of Switch Sports. My first foray into Drag X Drive occurred during the recent Global Jam, where I played all three sessions and had a blast, although I worried that the lack of a progression or rewards system might hold it back. Now it’s here and I’ve spent a lot of time shooting hoops, racing around the park, and practising my dunks. What’s it Like? Put on your gloves, get on the court, and play ball as we review Drag X Drive for Nintendo Switch 2.

In Drag X Drive, you step into the role of a wheelchair-bound robot, competing in a fast-paced 3v3 hybrid of basketball and wheelchair rugby. Matches aren’t the only focus, though. Between games, you’re placed in “The Park,” an online hub that acts as both a lobby and a community space. Here you can watch ongoing matches, run time trials, shoot around in practice, or pair up with teammates. It’s a clever way to keep players engaged and interacting, and it makes the downtime before your next match feel more like part of the experience than a wait screen. Controls in Drag X Drive are inventive and immersive. You hold a Joy-Con in each hand and push them forward to simulate moving the wheels of your wheelchair. Each Joy-Con acts as an arm, letting you clap, high-five other players, or pull off tricks with some practice. The controls are responsive, though they can be a bit of a workout, and there’s a genuine thrill in chasing down opponents across the court. You can “tackle” players head-on to steal the ball or disrupt their shot by ramming them as they go for a basket. Shooting requires lining up with the hoop, then raising your hands to aim and flicking your wrist to release. Adding flair, like bunny-hopping before a shot or spinning while dunking, earns style points, which can make the difference between victory and defeat. Unfortunately, while Drag X Drive shines in representing wheelchair sports, its physical control scheme can be challenging for some players. The game relies heavily on arm and upper-body movement, which may make it difficult for those with limited mobility to fully enjoy the experience. It’s worth noting this upfront, as the game’s accessibility focus doesn’t fully extend to the controls themselves.

Players can choose from three positions: Guard, Forward, and Centre, each offering different levels of speed, maneuverability, and sturdiness to suit your playstyle. On top of that, you can customise your armour, helmet, chair, wheels, and colouring to stand out on the court. You can unlock some customisation options by winning trophies in the mini game between rounds, which could add a bit more motivation to keep playing. My biggest concern when playing the Global Jam was how Drag X Drive would handle player engagement and progression, and unfortunately, there still isn’t much to see. The game could really have benefited from a level-up system or a battle-pass-style way to unlock more cosmetics and rewards to keep players coming back. Games like this live and die by long-term engagement, and while matches are automatically filled with bots if players drop out, it still feels like something essential is missing. The Global Jam event, where players could jump in and play alongside the developers, highlighted just how fun the game can be, but also how much more it could offer with ongoing events and meaningful rewards. Here’s hoping that in the weeks after launch, we see additional events or progression systems added.

Graphically, Drag X Drive leans on a rather sterile aesthetic. The courts feel like a concrete jungle of muted greys, and even with player customisation, the visuals come across as plain. It’s a significant departure from Nintendo’s usual bright, vibrant style, and it’s a shame we don’t get more playful court designs, like beachside arenas or wild crossover themes (Mushroom Kingdom anyone?), that could have added some much-needed spark. Character animations are smooth, and the game runs well, and there are clear indicators to show where the ball is at all times, so players are rarely disoriented. The menus are easy to navigate using mouse mode, making it straightforward to jump in and out of matches. Overall, the visuals are serviceable rather than striking, but functional. Performance-wise, Drag X Drive runs smoothly and fluidly on Nintendo Switch 2. Matches are fast, responsive, and fun, with no noticeable lag or technical issues. Everything from movement to shooting feels immediate, which makes the gameplay feel fun from start to finish.

At $30, Drag X Drive offers great value for what you get. What stands out most is the community forming around the game with players cheering each other on, high-fiving, and working together as a team. It’s clear that the core gameplay is here, and it’s genuinely fun, with satisfying mechanics and fast-paced action. My only hope is that more content and progression systems are added to keep this amazing community coming back. Nintendo has talked about using lower-priced games with shorter development cycles to fill the gaps between their larger AAA franchises, and if Drag X Drive is a warm-up for that approach, I’m excited to see what the future holds.

So, What’s It Like? Drag X Drive is like Switch Sports, but for Wheelchair Basketball.

In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by Nintendo, but this doesn’t influence my score.

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