Drag X Drive Review
Out Now
Version tested: NS2
Drag X Drive is the kind of launch-year curiosity we’ve come to expect whenever Nintendo unveils bold new hardware features. Much like Wii Sports back in 2006, it isn’t necessarily a system seller in itself, but it’s meant to shine a spotlight on what the new Joy-Con 2 controllers can do. And in that regard, it succeeds: sliding each controller like the wheels of a chair to accelerate, brake, and turn is both intuitive and ingenious. It instantly communicates the physicality of the sport it’s trying to replicate, and for the first few matches, it feels like you’re experiencing something genuinely new in gaming.
Unfortunately, the novelty doesn’t hold up as well in practice. The control scheme, while clever, is far from ergonomic. Extended sessions quickly lead to arm and wrist fatigue, and while that might be brushed off as “part of the experience,” it comes across more as a design flaw than a deliberate challenge. Accessibility is another concern—because the mechanics demand constant sliding motions, some players may find the game outright uncomfortable or impractical to play for longer than a few minutes at a time.
Where Drag X Drive really stumbles, however, is in its lack of depth. The core 3v3 mode can be entertaining in short bursts, but the barebones presentation and repetitive mini-games fail to provide lasting engagement. There’s no narrative hook, no real sense of progression, and little incentive to keep returning once the novelty wears off. Even the arenas, with their metallic half-pipes and sterile courts, feel underdeveloped and lacking personality. For a sport that thrives on energy, community, and competitive intensity, the game struggles to build any lasting atmosphere.
That said, Drag X Drive isn’t without charm. In a group setting, with everyone laughing at the awkward motions and pushing the Joy-Con 2 hardware to its limits, it can deliver bursts of genuine fun. It’s also commendable for trying something fresh instead of falling back on conventional button-mashing sports mechanics. But when you strip away the hardware showcase element, you’re left with a shallow experience that doesn’t quite justify its price tag or its positioning as a marquee Switch 2 release.
In the end, Drag X Drive feels less like a fully fleshed-out game and more like a tech demo that escaped into retail packaging. It’s an inventive experiment, one that deserves recognition for daring to be different, but it lacks the polish, depth, and longevity that modern players expect. As a first taste of what the Switch 2’s controllers are capable of, it’s an intriguing appetiser—but it desperately needs a meatier main course to follow it.
Verdict:
Drag X Drive is a clever showcase for the Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 controllers, using sliding motions to mimic wheelchair propulsion brilliantly. It feels fresh, fun, and inventive for the first few matches, especially with friends. Sadly, that novelty wears thin quickly. The controls are physically tiring, the presentation is sterile, and the content is far too shallow to keep players hooked long-term. While it’s an affordable experiment and a decent party distraction, Drag X Drive ultimately feels more like a flashy tech demo than a fully fleshed-out game.
Score:
6.6/10
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The code was provided free of charge for my honest and unbiased review.
Pros
- Innovative Controls, Joy-Con 2’s “mouse mode” offers a unique way to simulate wheelchair propulsion.
- Fun in Short Bursts
- Great Party Appeal
- Showcases Switch 2 Hardware
- Low price at around £16.99
Cons
- Shallow Content
- Fatiguing Controls
- Lifeless Presentation
- Repetitive Mini-Games
- Poor Longevity
