Drag x Drive is a sports title that attempts to translate the intensity of wheelchair basketball into a Nintendo Switch 2 experience, utilising the Joy-Con controllers' mouse-like functionality. I first caught a glimpse of it at the Tokyo hands-on event last April. The queues were interminable, so I settled for spectating, but the way players were practically 'pushing' their wheelchairs via the controllers looked genuinely innovative. That missed opportunity gnawed at me, so I vowed to dive in once it hit the shelves.

Having finally spent some time with the full release, I must admit the experience wasn't quite as fresh as I’d hoped. While the control scheme is novel, it’s also undeniably clunky, and the content is painfully sparse. Frankly, there’s little reason to keep playing; it feels less like a complete game and more like a glorified tech demo designed to show off the Switch 2's new hardware features.

The core of Drag x Drive lies in its distinct input method. The Switch 2 supports a scroll-based control scheme similar to a mouse, where the L, R, ZL, and ZR buttons mimic left and right clicks. It’s convenient for navigating the My Nintendo Store, and it certainly promises a more familiar feel for upcoming FPS titles on the system.

Drag x Drive leans heavily into this mouse-scroll mechanic. You place both controllers on your desk or lap and drag them to move; the right controller handles the right wheel, and the left handles the left. To shoot, you lift the controller and flick it forward as if launching a real shot. It’s intuitively designed to evoke the feeling of actual wheelchair basketball, which is a point in its favour.

However, the reality is that the Switch 2’s controller ergonomics—and the practicalities of playing—make this setup needlessly cumbersome. Much like a real mouse, the drag detection fails on glass or reflective surfaces. Furthermore, you need a decent amount of clearance to generate any real speed. While resting them on my knees was the most comfortable option, the uneven surface made precision work nearly impossible.

The most egregious issues arise with shooting and tricks. Shooting requires lifting the controller, but the sensor often gets confused, thinking it's already airborne, leading to frequent input errors. Even worse are the tricks, such as the 'Bunny Hop' into a shot. You have to brake with ZL and ZR, lift one Joy-Con followed by the other to jump, and then swing to shoot. Given the structural design of the Joy-Con, lifting them off a surface while holding the bumpers is quite a chore, and chaining a jump into a shot is so fluidly frustrating that I eventually gave up on tricks entirely.

Matches are 3-on-3, adhering to standard street basketball rules. You can strip the ball by colliding head-on, and there’s a 14-second shot clock. Shooting is straightforward—aim and fire, and it usually goes in—and passes find your teammates with ease. It captures the spirit of street ball well enough through its simplicity. Each session consists of two 3-on-3 games, rounded off with a mandatory mini-game for everyone.

It’s a standard affair: 3 points from outside the line, 2 inside. Tricks net you bonus points—0.2 for hard ones, 0.1 for the easy variety. While these seem like small margins, they can swing a game. The problem, as you’ve likely guessed, is the wonky control scheme; in practice, almost nobody bothered with anything beyond a basic dunk.

Drag x Drive is fun for a quick round or two, but it lacks the legs for long-term engagement. The control scheme is physically tiring after an hour, and on launch day, my wrists were genuinely aching. Moreover, the 3-on-3 loop is so repetitive that the novelty wears off in a flash.

The matchmaking system is equally bizarre. It starts by dropping 12 players into a park. If the lobby isn't full or a match is already underway, you’re often left in limbo. It’s rare to see a full 12-person lobby, meaning you’ll frequently find yourself racing or playing mini-games entirely alone. I’ve even been dumped into matches just as they were ending, right before the mini-game phase, which feels disjointed.

Ironically, the mini-games are more enjoyable than the actual matches. While the 12-player post-match activities are frantic, they are far too brief—usually 10-second races or ball-chasing segments. It seems the developers limited the duration to hide the clunky controls.

However, the mini-games scattered around the court are actually interesting. They are tied to challenges: sprinting up pipes, Bunny Hop jump rope, or vertical climbing. Achieving certain times or scores grants cosmetic items. They are short, but the variety makes them worth the effort.

That, unfortunately, is the extent of it. Outside of mini-games, player battles, and bot matches, there is absolutely nothing else to do. There is no story mode, and perhaps due to the strange 12-player dual-match system, there are no leaderboards or ranked competitive modes to speak of. To top it off, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for the multiplayer.

Drag x Drive is a sports game that highlights a novel but ultimately frustrating control scheme. The content is so thin that the 19,800 Won price tag feels like a stretch. It would have been a far better inclusion in the tutorial game 'Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour,' which faced heavy criticism when it was sold for 9,800 Won alongside the Switch 2 launch last June.