Drag x Drive Review: A Solid Multiplayer Experience Lacks Longevity

Drag x Drive, the latest title from a renowned developer, has arrived, promising a unique take on a competitive sports game. The core concept, which blends wheelchair basketball with extreme sports elements, is an innovative showcase for the new mouse-style controls of the Nintendo Switch 2. While the on-court action is exhilarating and the gameplay mechanics are surprisingly deep, the overall package feels like a proof of concept rather than a fully-fledged release. This review will delve into why a fantastic multiplayer foundation is ultimately let down by a shocking lack of features.

The Thrill of the Court: Innovative Controls and Deep Gameplay

At its heart, Drag x Drive is a 3v3 multiplayer sports game that puts players in control of a futuristic, wheelchair-like vehicle. The standout feature is its innovative control scheme. Using the detached Joy-Con 2 controllers as dual mice, players “drag” them on a surface to mimic the motion of pushing the wheels of their chair. This creates a deeply immersive and surprisingly intuitive experience, allowing for nuanced movement, sharp turns, and bursts of speed. The HD rumble feedback further enhances this sensation, letting you feel the texture of the court beneath your wheels.

Gameplay goes beyond simple movement. Players can perform a variety of tricks, such as bunny hops, single-wheel tilts, and spectacular dunks off the court’s half-pipe borders. These tricks not only look stylish but also add fractions of a point to your score, creating a high-stakes dynamic where a perfectly executed play can turn the tide of a match. The shooting and passing mechanics are also well-implemented, with flicking motions for shots and button presses for passes, all of which feel natural once you’ve overcome the initial learning curve.

When everything clicks, a Drag x Drive match is a whirlwind of fast-paced, competitive fun. Coordinating with teammates, setting up a perfect alley-oop, or executing a last-second, game-winning shot feels incredibly rewarding. The short, frenetic three-minute matches are ideal for a quick pick-up-and-play session, and the online lobbies with friends are where the game truly shines.

A Desert of Features: Where the Game Falls Short

Despite its excellent core gameplay, Drag x Drive is a shockingly barebones package. The most significant issue is the severe lack of content. The game features only one main multiplayer mode and a single, uninspired arena. The visual design, while clean, is bland and generic, a far cry from the vibrant, personality-filled worlds we’ve come to expect from a major studio. There are no memorable characters, no exciting announcers, and a forgettable soundtrack that does little to energize the experience.

The single-player offerings are equally disappointing. A handful of mini-games and bot matches exist, but they feel more like tutorials than substantial content. There is no meaningful progression system, no ranked matchmaking, and the unlockable cosmetics are limited and uninspired. This lack of a carrot on a stick to chase severely limits the game’s longevity. Without new modes, maps, or a reason to continuously play, the community is likely to dwindle quickly.

Furthermore, the multiplayer experience, while fun, is not without its problems. Playing with friends is made needlessly difficult by a clunky lobby system that can’t guarantee you’ll be on the same team or even in the same game as your party. The absence of a split-screen option for local multiplayer is another baffling omission, especially for a game that would be perfect for a couch co-op session. The control scheme, while innovative, is also physically demanding, and the lack of alternative control options makes the game ironically inaccessible for players who cannot use the motion controls.

In conclusion, Drag x Drive is a game with immense potential. Its creative control scheme and surprisingly deep gameplay offer a fresh and exciting multiplayer experience. However, it feels like a tech demo that was released prematurely. The severe lack of content, generic presentation, and frustrating multiplayer systems prevent it from being a truly great game. For its budget price, you might get a few hours of fun out of it, but without significant updates, it will likely be forgotten just as quickly as it arrived.