Nintendo
Drag x Drive: Nintendo’s bet on the basketball of the future
Innovation on the court: a “sports” title from Kyoto for its new hybrid.
Drag x Drive is one of those titles we had the opportunity to try out at the Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On event in New York City last April. This game was basically the best showcase for the capabilities of the new Joy-Cons 2, as they even promised to adapt to any type of surface and could even be used on our pants.
Now that we have had the opportunity to try out the final version of this basketball video game, we see a bold proposal that takes the sport into uncharted territory, combining patented controls with the skill required for team sports.
What is Drag x Drive all about?
In this installment, players control robots mounted on wheelchairs in a more social experience. The essence of the game lies in its integration with the new Joy-Con 2 controllers, taking full advantage of their motion detection capabilities, HD vibration, and the infrared reader in “mouse mode.”
How do you play Drag x Drive?
While the controls are not limited to pressing buttons; they require physical interaction to accelerate, brake, turn, stick, and pass.
And, of course, shooting hoops. This mechanic gives it a certain degree of immersion and strategy that sets it apart from other titles in the genre. It also features tricks and stunts inspired by skateboarding in the style of Tony Hawk games, which gives it a certain degree of specialization and, above all, a lot of practice.
The social aspect
The gaming experience reaches its climax when playing with at least 10 friends, a number that perhaps not many will be able to achieve with their closest circle, but there is always the possibility of opening up to the world of online gaming.
Drag x Drive allows you to use voice chat to coordinate, which is key to good team play.
It is important to note that it does not include a split-screen option or the possibility of playing with a single controller, which ironically hinders its main focus on social team play.
Simple design
It is important to note that the game itself is simple in both design and visuals, as it is limited to changing the color of our chair, clothing, and helmet. It also lacks a progression or unlocking system, something that often helps to hook us into the gameplay.
Drag x Drive is, above all, very ingenious and makes wonderful use of the new technology of the new Joy-Con 2, but like Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, it could well have been a free game for the console’s launch.
This game invites you to experiment with the new motion controls and makes this installment more than just a basketball game; it’s a very social experience that falls short of being addictive. In other words, it lacks that soul that characterizes the games from the big N, the addictive component that keeps you playing for hours. If adjustments aren’t made in the short term to enhance the social aspect, it will remain just another great technical demo for Nintendo’s new console.
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