One of the most unique features of the Nintendo Switch 2 is its mouse controls. The Joy-Con 2 controllers can function exactly as computer mice, opening the door to all kinds of interesting gameplay opportunities that haven't really been available on consoles in a significant capacity. Since the Switch 2's launch, few games have fully embraced mouse controls, but Drag x Drive is one of them. One of the first games ever revealed for the Switch 2, Drag x Drive is a 3v3 multiplayer wheelchair basketball game with robots that is played using a combination of mouse functionality and motion controls.
Players wheel around the Drag x Drive park, interacting with others online, participating in mini-game challenges, and competing in short 3v3 basketball games. The wheelchair is moved by sliding the Joy-Con 2 controllers on a flat surface, with players able to easily turn, speed up, and brake. Drag x Drive's controls take some practice, but players should master them before too long. I tested the mouse controls on a coffee table and my own legs and had zero problems getting the Toonami-style robot to do what I wanted. The mouse controls make Drag x Drive a unique experience for sure, but I can't say that they make the game more fun to play than if it had used traditional controls.
Drag x Drive Makes Great Use of Motion and Mouse Controls
Drag x Drive also makes heavy use of motion controls that can be used in tandem with the mice to pull off tricks. For instance, players can grab one wheel and lift the controller in the air to tilt their chair. Doing this quickly on both sides of the chair lets players pull off a bunny hop that is useful for avoiding mini-game obstacles and scoring extra points. Mastering Drag x Drive's tricks is worthwhile and gives players more tools to work with in the actual basketball games themselves.
The core Drag x Drive gameplay revolves around 3v3 basketball games against other players online. Nintendo doesn't exactly have a spotless track record when it comes to reliable online multiplayer games, but I experienced zero connectivity issues in Drag x Drive. Getting into a lobby is painless and instantaneous. When waiting for games to start, players can explore the lobby area, tackle mini-games, and goof around with other players. Between matches, there are modes like Rebound Scramble and Circuit Sprint to enjoy, though they are both very brief. The mini-games also don't add much to the proceedings, but are good time wasters, whether one is jumping rope or participating in a shooting contest.
When a proper game starts, players are placed in a team of three against another team of three and the goal is to simply get the most points. Players can smash into their opponents to knock the ball away from them, ramp up half-pipes to potentially block shots, and pass to their teammates with the bumpers. Shooting is handled with motion controls and works flawlessly.
Drag x Drive Needs More Content
Drag x Drive basketball games are fast-paced and exciting, but they also shine a spotlight on the game's fatal flaw. Drag x Drive completely drops the ball when it comes to providing players with a compelling reason to keep playing long-term, which could be devastating for something built specifically with online multiplayer in mind.
There are trophies to earn, though there doesn't appear to be a way to see a list of them in-game, and players can also unlock new customization options for their robot. However, there is no ranked mode, career mode, or anything else that might provide meaningful progression. Drag x Drive is so barebones that players can see pretty much everything it has to offer within a few hours, and if they really love the core 3v3 basketball, they might still keep playing, but the vast majority will have had their fill. There needs to be more to keep players engaged, especially since Drag x Drive lacks split-screen multiplayer options.
Drag x Drive has no split-screen, and so it relies heavily on its online multiplayer. There are offline matches against bots available that replicate the online experience, but the lack of split-screen seems like a big oversight that is going to hurt the game's longevity even more in the long run. It seems like the kind of game that most will try for a day or two and drop for deeper, more compelling multiplayer experiences that offer both online and local multiplayer options, like Mario Kart World, for instance.
Beyond the lack of content, Drag x Drive is surprisingly bland for a Nintendo game. The lobby area is mostly made up of gray concrete and metal, with little in the way of any visual flair. The music and sound effects are nothing to write home about either. None of it is offensively bad or anything, but it leaves absolutely zero impression. Nintendo is known for its colorful, vibrant game worlds and characters with big personalities, but Drag x Drive offers none of that.
The complete lack of charm and content in Drag x Drive makes the game difficult to recommend, even at its budget price of $20. It's the best showcase yet of what can be accomplished with Switch 2 mouse controls, but offers little else. There is some fun to be had with Drag x Drive and perhaps future updates will make it a better game, but there isn't enough at launch to keep Switch 2 owners busy for any serious amount of time.
- Released
- August 14, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Number of Players
- 1-6 players
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- August 14, 2025
Drag x Drive is launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 this summer.
A new 3v3 game experience, Drag x Drive challenges players to use both Joy-Con 2 at the same time to intuitively steer, speed up and make plays.
- Genre(s)
- Sports
- Mouse and motion controls work surprisingly well
- Core 3v3 basketball gameplay is fun
- Bland presentation
- Severe lack of content
- No split-screen multiplayer