Talking Point: Would Drag x Drive Be Better With Miis Or Non-Mouse Control Options?

Image: Nintendo LifeAugust is nearly over, and we’ve had two first-party releases this month: Kirby and the Long Title Nintendo Employees Are Obliged to Say in its Entirety and Drag x Drive.

The Kirby revamp just came out (and it’s very good) while Drag and Drive (yes, this one’s definitely an ‘and’) hit the courts back on 14th August. Are you still playing it? I’m willing to bet dozens of you are.

Ah, what a shame. For a game that demonstrates some genuine originality, it just throws up too many roadblocks for the average player, whether it’s the novel but uncompromising Mouse Mode controls, the dreary presentation, or the restrictive online team options. It makes for an intriguing pitch — and it really is a blast in exactly the right circumstances — but will anyone be playing this come Christmas? Is anyone playing it now?

Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life
I found myself wishing I could just control the thing with standard stick and button inputs. I know that would circumvent the game’s USP and introduce a skill gap, as people using buttons would quickly and easily (I imagine) outperform players sticking to motion controls, so you’d need to split the playerbase via control scheme.

And for a game that’s designed to show you the real gameplay possibilities of Mouse Mode beyond the obvious (and beyond the minigames in Welcome Tour), optional button inputs would be tantamount to admitting defeat. “Yeah, this is our Mouse Mode showcase! But you don’t have to use them…and it’s easier and better if you don’t.”

I reckon Nintendo could frame it as an accessibility win without losing too much face. Ironically, players with any sort of movement impairment in their upper body will likely struggle the most playing Drag x Drive. And given the game’s muted debut, alternative control schemes would likely draw in a far larger player base. It’s not too late if Nintendo just swallowed its pride.