Nintendo has a long history of filming sports games in unexpected directions. They turned tennis into a Mushroom Kingdom showdown, kart racing into a full-scale weapons brawl, and involved chain choms in golf. Now, with Drag X Drive, they have won one of the most technical and fast-paced adaptation sports: wheelchair basketball, giving them an arcade twist that feels both fresh and classic Nintendo.
It’s a bold move. It’s also one of the most tactile sports experiences Nintendo has ever created, thanks to the new “mouse mode” controls on the Switch 2. But while the concept and execution are undoubtedly clever, whether you love drag-X drives or bounce it, it can depend on how well your wrist, hand, and patience adapts to the control scheme.
Concept – Wheelchair basketball, Nintendo style
With Drag X Drive, it’s not just basketball. It pilots a smooth sci-fi “wheelchair” in a fast, ferocious 3V3 match. The court is compact, the game is only three minutes long, and the action doesn’t actually stop. The play space is very tight, so you’re always close to your teammates and opponents. This means that lanes will quickly approach, close defenses and all possessions will be counted.
Nintendo is here leaning on the arcade sensibility. There is no strict adherence to realistic physics or stamina. Instead, the focus is on a satisfying mix of play, flashy manipulation, basketball fundamentals and ridiculous trick shots.
Control – Where the game really lives or dies
The function in the heading here is mouse mode. Each Joy-Con2 represents a wheel.
Push both forward for a straight dash lift, reset, push again to maintain speed brake, then push one or both forward and push the other forward and pull back
It’s a simple concept, but in reality it becomes a dance of timing and rhythm. Smooth slides make you easily slide across the court, but jerky and overwhelming movements can stop you. There is a learning curve, and it’s not just about learning within the game. It’s also about physical comfort.
When playing on the table, the controls work well with short bursts, but longer sessions can be difficult for the arms and wrists. We found that the Joy-Con on the foot was made for a smoother and more comfortable experience, but after a few rounds the track still felt accurate and we got the best results when we moved to the tabletop with the mouse pad.
In the Court – Speed, Chaos, and Accuracy
Once you wrap your head around the movement, the game really opens up. Matches are fast scramble, and attack and defense often mix. Filming is easy. If you raise your arms, flick forward and face the hoop, you could score. There are dunks with one-wheel tilt, bunny hops and rim hangings, and dunks that will make a big play very satisfying.
Defense is just as fun. Do you see your opponent charging? Go back to half and block the lane. A head-on collision causes ownership to be lost. It causes a desperate scramble of loose balls.
There is a constant push and pull between a quick pass, a high-risk 3-point attempt, and a calculated collision. No matter how many hours of play, I continued to discover new little strategies, such as forging shots to bait defenders or using bunny hop midpass to throw away timing altogether.
Player roles and customization
Before you go to court, choose one of three roles.
Guard – Perfect for quick and agile, fast breaking – balanced and suitable for both scoring and defending centers – strong and sturdy, dominant under the hoop
Each role has different strengths in rebound, speed and power. You can also fine-tune the appearance of your character with a variety of helmets, colors and textures. Customization is functional but basic, so don’t expect deep cosmetic options or detailed player creators.
Tricks, flares, showboating
Nintendo sprinkled a bunch of “video game” style movements to keep things in a tough state. Apply sharp brakes on one side and lift the Joy-Con and you’ll tilt towards a single wheel. Do it on both sides at once and it’s a bunny hop. It’s a joy to pull it off midway through a match, but the timing can be cranky and some tricks are certainly not triggered. There are plenty of other tricks to unlock and master, including slam dunks. The right thing is a bit complicated, but when you do, the satisfaction that follows it puts that effort into it.
Frustration
The biggest problem is consistency. Some advanced movements are surprising when they land, but frustrating when they don’t. JoyCon2’s slim design can make extended play uncomfortable for some players. The novelty of Mouse Mode is a big part of the appeal of Drag X Drive, but it is also something that may limit the amount of time people stick to it. Switch playstyles over coffee tables, legs, and mouse mats to allow the mouse mat to have more grip and control over movement and shots. However, it is not realistic for long play sessions. Therefore, the match is only 3 minutes long.
Verdict – A sport worth spinning
The Drag X Drive is fast, chaotic, unlike what Nintendo has released for years. Wheelchair basketball arcade spins feel fresh, while tactile controls personally feel every dash, turn and collision. It’s not perfect, some tricks are inconsistent, and Joy-Con’s ergonomics doesn’t take long to get used to everyone, but clicking on it makes it one of the most exhilarating multiplayer experiences on Switch 2.
I’ve been frustrated, I’ve failed countless plays, pulled out more accidental crashes than I want to admit, but I’m coming back more. Nintendo has created an equal sports game with skills, spectacles and bangs. This is one of the most memorable experiments they have unfolded over the years.
3 stars (out of 5)
Highlights: The graphics shine in both handheld and docking modes, short matches will keep you interested
Low light: If the control doesn’t work for everyone, it also has no cosmetics or customization capabilities.
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
Available: Now
A review based on the release code provided by Nintendo.