When the rumours first emerged about Nintendo Switch 2 having mouse controls, many were interested in how they would work. The first reveal trailer of the Switch 2 got many excited for the possibilities the controls would have for games, and then Nintendo showed off a game designed to be used with mouse controls. It is not that people were turned off by the idea of Drag x Drive, but the game’s reveal during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April 2025 did leave some baffled.
A 3 v 3 wheelchair basketball game was not what people were expecting, and some began to question if it was a smart move from Nintendo, or if something else should have been chosen. Of course, Nintendo developers tend to go for creativity when showing off a new concept, and to be fair, Drag x Drive is a very creative idea.It definitely is a unique way to show off the mouse controls and other enhanced features of the Joy-Con 2 controllers, but was it the best to serve as the tech demo game?
The game has been getting mixed reviews, and many are saying the game will be a flop commercially, but I disagree. I think Drag x Drive will do fine in the long run in terms of sales and will not be a flop even if it does not end up a top selling game on the system.I say this, because I think Drag x Drive is already finding its audience and in doing so may have exposed an issue when it comes to reviewing games like this.
The game is definitely not something you will want to play for a long period of time, especially as the mouse control use can get a bit uncomfortable, but that kind of works in its favour. Drag x Drive is the type of game that works best short and small spurts of gameplay, where you have fun for a few minutes with friends and then move on to another game. In this way, the game does not outstay its welcome, and the issues with using a Joy-Con 2 as a mouse for too long, do not become apparent, which is actually a smart move.
It helps that there is a surprising amount of depth to the gameplay besides just moving the Joy-Con 2 controllers as mice, but also using motion controls for some aspects and needing some strategy when you play. Some have referred to Drag x Drive as a Nintendo-style take on Rocket League, and there are some similarities in the gameplay to be sure. Drag x Drive does also make use of its own stat system that will vary if you play as a guard, forward or center, with each having different abilities, size, strengths and weaknesses.
The use of basketball courts that are designed like skateparks is also something that makes Drag x Drive stand out. Drag x Drive ends up feeling like a more creative take on basketball, even separate from the unique controls, with its over the top aspects and trick shots that are not possible in real life wheelchair basketball. These make the gameplay sessions stand out more, and they are fun for the time played.
Because Drag x Drive works best in short bursts of gameplay, this is not a game that someone spending a lot of time playing for a review would enjoy. Hand cramps after a while, and some repetitiveness would get annoying and taint the experience. And the truth is, Drag x Drive does feel a bit annoying if played for too long, and can cause hand cramps and other issues from prolonged play. Drag x Drive is a tech demo game and one that doesn’t work for long play sessions, although the minigames included do help for breaking up the way you play, and in-game achievements are fun to try for.
Ultimately, I do get those who wonder if Drag x Drive was the best choice to show off the mouse controls. A new Mario Paint would have driven excitement for the system, and I think a new take on the Game Boy Color game Warlocked, an RTS game owned by Nintendo, would have been a great way to show off the mouse controls. The thing is, Drag x Drive does not just demonstrate mouse controls, but all the aspects of the Joy-Con 2, including waggle, enhanced motion controls and so on, and does so in a new way.
Those other games can still come, and I personally hope Nintendo does make those games, and I may be working on an article about games that would make sense to bring to Switch 2 as mouse control games, but for now Drag x Drive is perfectly fine for what it is. It explains how mouse controls will work in future games, it shows off other aspects of the Joy-Con 2 controllers, and it has a lot of the trademark Nintendo charm and creativity in it that helps it stand out. And considering it is selling near the top of the eShop in multiple regions, I think it is safe to say that Drag x Drive has found an audience that seems fond of it.
