There are a lot of sports video games out there that will let you have the core experience of your favorite sport. Everybody has their own taste in sports, and I was very intrigued to see a Wheelchair Basketball sports video game from Nintendo being revealed at Nintendo Direct. Drag X Drive, Nintendo’s new sports video game that resembles wheelchair basketball. However, it is nothing like ordinary and uses Joy-Con 2’s mouse mode to control the player and perform stunts while shooting. I get the premise of using the new mouse mode controls for a game, but a sports game is what I did not expect. We will share our experience of the Drag x Drive in this review and tell you whether you should pick it up or not.
NOTE: The review copy of Drag x Drive was provided by the publishers.
Gameplay
Drag x Drive is a third-person sports video game that resembles wheelchair basketball. If you have ever watched wheelchair basketball, you will instantly get the idea. However, unlike other hooping and shooting games, the Drag x Drive controls scheme is very different. Instead of using normal Joy-Con 2 controls, the game’s primary set of controls is the mouse mode. The mouse mode is one of Joy-Con 2’s new ways of controlling the Nintendo Switch 2 device. I am not going to lie, this was my first time actually using the mouse mode in a proper game, and it took me a good amount of time to adjust.
You play as a robot in a wheelchair and use both Joy-Con 2’s in a mouse mode to move each wheel of the wheelchair. Pushing the right Joy-Con 2 will make your player move the right wheel, and moving the left wheel requires you to push the left Joy-Con 2. Pushing both Joy-Con 2 controllers will make your player move. Moreover, pushing the controllers harder will make the player move faster. In order to turn the wheelchair, you have to push/pull only one Joy-Con 2 controller corresponding to the direction.
The player picks up the ball automatically when it is close by. You can ram into other players to make them drop the ball and pick it up yourself. Once you are ready for a shoot, you have to raise your hands and flick them while looking at the hoop. If you are feeling a bit stylish, you can use the curves to do a roll and slam dunk into the hoop. Performing stunts and shooting from a distance gives you more points. The team with the most points by the end of the match takes the win.
Gameplay Modes
While the overall gameplay feels smooth and quite fun, especially with friends, the lack of gameplay modes is what reduces the replayability. The game only has one main mode, 3v3. You and two other players or bots match against three players or bots. However, the arenas for the matches are well-designed. You are always in the proximity of other players, which keeps the action going.
Other than the main mode, the arena has several side missions and challenges. Participating in the challenges lets you practice all of the core and advanced mechanics of the game. Performing well in the challenges will let you set your record on the scoreboard. If there are other players in the public arena, they can see you on the scoreboard.
Adjusting to Control Scheme
It is quite confusing and hard to get hold of this new control scheme at the start, but once you get adjusted to it, it is quite fun. However, I had to use my Desktop table as the surface to play it comfortably, as you cannot get perfect control while sitting on a couch or using your lap as a surface for the controllers. So, choosing the right surface is a big consideration for Drag x Drive.
Visuals and Customization
The visuals of Drag x Drive are quite decent, nothing like a top sports video game, but they are enough. Moreover, the effects of scoring the points are good. Furthermore, the overall animation of the player is decent and quite responsive. However, there is nothing much regarding the customization of the player. I think the customization plays a crucial role in engagement for a player, especially in a sports video game. I really hope that they add more customization options other than helmets, tires, and colors.
Verdict – Score 7/10
Drag x Drive is a great game that offers the core experience of wheelchair basketball with unique skating style animations. The overall gameplay of the game is very responsive once you get the hang of it. It does require some good surface to use the Joy-Con 2 controllers effectively to perform good in the matches. If you are someone who wants to try out something new with your friends, then I highly recommend that you give Drag x Drive a go. However, if you are someone who thinks it is more of a work than chill and play on the couch, then you might want to skip it.
Drag x Drive is now available on Nintendo Switch 2.
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