Drag X Drive – Nintendo’s Wheelchair Basketball Experiment
Nintendo has never hesitated to experiment, but their upcoming sports title, Drag X Drive, might be one of their most unexpected systems yet. Releasing on Nintendo Switch 2 on August 14th, 2025, this game Blends motion-controlled wheelchair basketball with hall-style gameplay, it is a conception that is as interesting as it is crazy. The game also provides moments of fun hidden within layers of awkward controls, strange design choices, and a conspicuous lack of the usual Nintendo charm.
Gameplay and Controls
Drag X Drive is a competitive wheelchair basketball game. Players control their wheelchairs using two Joy-Cons, bluffing the push-and-turn motion by moving each controller singly. Braking is handled by the triggers, and turning requires interspersing your “pushes” between the left and right Joy-Con. Firing is done by lifting a Joy-Con in a throwing motion, with the in-game accelerometer rephrasing your movement into a shot attempt.
While the idea is creative, the concretion can feel cumbersome. The game demands a surprising amount of physical collaboration, and learning the basics takes longer than many other Nintendo sports titles. It’s not the pick-up-and-play experience you might anticipate from a party-style game, and the difficult learning activities may disappoint casual players.
Game Modes and Mechanics
The beta featured a tutorial, a demonstration match, and online play. The rules are somewhat grounded in basketball, but with arcade twists:
- Players can ram opponents to steal the ball
- Launch themselves off ramps for slam dunks
- Perform trick shots for redundant points.
While these additions add spectacle, they occasionally clash with the sport’s fundamentals, making the gameplay feel chaotic rather than strategic.
Online matches are functional but limited. With no native voice chat and only a small set of emoticons for communication, conversation is minimal. Matches frequently turn into low-scoring scrambles, as both beginners and experienced players scuffle with the controls.
Presentation and Style
Despite having a good baseline, Drag X Drive lacks Nintendo’s usual personality. This lack of personality is one surprising weakness of Drag X Drive. The courts and characters are clean but sterile, with a mechanical, nearly clinical design. There are no themed arenas, no recognizable characters, and no quirky charm to make the game visually memorable.
It’s hard not to compare it to Nintendo’s other unconventional titles like Arms or Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball, both of which were similarly strange but packed with style and character. But Drag X Drive feels barebones in its presentation.
Potential and Replay Value
There are hints that the full release may expand the game’s offerings. The beta suggested there could be lateral conditioning, customization options, and fresh courts. Unless Nintendo commits to deeper personalization and themed content, such as crossover courts or character skins. Drag X Drive has a potential risk of fading into obscurity shortly after launch.
Final Thoughts
Drag X Drive is an unusual trial that proves Nintendo is still willing to take risks. The concept is fresh, and there’s a certain novelty in playing basketball from a wheelchair with motion controls. Unfortunately, awkward controls, a steep learning curve, and a lack of personality hold it back from becoming a must-play title.
It’s not without merit — devoted players might enjoy learning its unique control scheme, but for most gamers, the fun will probably fade snappily. As it stands, Drag X Drive feels more like a quirky side design than the next big Nintendo sports mega-hit.
Score: 5/10 – Creative, but eventually cumbersome and citable.
Check out the official Release trailer:
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