Latest news with #DragxDrive
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Games Inbox: Has Nintendo lost their touch with Switch 2?
The Friday letters page asks what happens to Microsoft and Activision if Call Of Duty fails, as one reader looks forward to Resident Evil Code: Veronica remake. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@ Dragged down I'm really pretty upset at how bad Drag x Drive is reviewing. It's on 62 at the moment on Metacritic, hot on the heels of the 54 that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour got. These are not the sort of scores I expect from Nintendo, especially not as two out of only four games they've released so far for their new console. Naturally I haven't bought either of them but why do they even exist? When the idea was pitched, who thought either of them sounded worth doing? A wheelchair basketball game that uses mouse controls is a fine idea but why did they stop there? Where are the different courts and customisation and tournaments that actually make it a game? How could you possibly have left that out? Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are great, so I'm not worried that Nintendo has lost their touch in terms of making games but I do think they've lost it when it comes to drumming up hype (all their Directs this year have been bad) and picking what projects to make (Hyrule Warriors 3 and Kirby Air Riders in year one?!). I'll also say that I hope this shuts up the idiots always complaining about a Nintendo 'bias' amongst reviewers. The bias is towards good games, which Nintendo makes in abundance. But when they serve up tripe then they get called out on it, just like any company. I just wish that fact wasn't been proved at the moment. Onibee Ongoing celebrations I am loving this anniversary celebration that the Amiga is getting at the moment. To get an actual new game, in a well-known franchise, is hilarious and not something I would've ever expected. If it's meant as a publicity stunt for the new game – which I never knew existed – then it's worked, because I will immediately look into it. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. I will also look into getting one of those mini-console Amigas as I would like to get The Settlers 2 but I currently have nothing to play it on. If I can pick one up for a reasonable price then I feel a major nostalgia burst coming on, that will hopefully take my mind off the current state of the rest of gaming. Brightmere Bottom tier With Nintendo serving up another badly reviewed game I can't help but think what's going to happen when Hyrule Warriors and Kirby Air Riders end up with similar treatment. Both their predecessors are already amongst the lowest rated games Nintendo has ever published so I don't know what they're expecting form these new ones. I've got practically no concerns about Metroid Prime 4, which means the Switch 2 is going to start having this weird two-tier system amongst its first party games: Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, and Metroid on top and stuff like Welcome Tour, Drag x Drive, Hyrule Warriors, and Kirby Air Riders on the bottom. They feel like they're made by two completely different companies and while the bad ones are all low budget not all of them are cheap and I'm really not sure what the idea is behind them really. All I know is that when that Metacritic best publisher chart goes round this year, Nintendo is going to be nowhere near the top of the list. Benson Email your comments to: gamecentral@ One egg, one basket Considering how well they've usually got on it will be amusing if the success of EA's Battlefield 6 is what finally breaks the seal on Call Of Duty's invincibility. Because without Call Of Duty what is Activision worth? And without Activision what becomes of Xbox? It's crazy that Activision has gone basically decades without ever bothering to create another major franchise. They had Guitar Hero for a while, before running that into the ground in a few years, and did the same with Crash Bandicoot, Skylanders, Spider-Man, and… well, that's it really. With all that money and all those developers how is it not worth keeping a Plan B (and C and D) on the boil? They just don't seem to care though. All those games I've mentioned were milked to death within a few years and discarded the second they stopped making enough money. I'd say I've no sympathy for Activision but they employ thousands of people, that they'd gladly lay off at the drop of a hat. Kimble Gooners gonna goon I have never heard the word 'gooner' to describe a perv before but I have noticed a lot more games leaning on sexy female characters than there used to be, at least in the last decade. Most of it seems to be coming from China and Korea, so I don't know if it'll become a trend in the West or not. I'm not against it, if no one's being hurt by it, so I'm not going to call for it to be banned or anything, but it is kind of pathetic. When you're worried about playing a game when your girlfriend is the room, because it's full of impossibly proportioned women wearing less than a bikini, I think that's the sign that something's up. Of course, companies aren't going to admit what they're doing but the fact that sex sells has been true for as long as there have been people. A Marvel game is a weird one to be one of the biggest examples of it, but I think the fact that it's free is the main thing. Because trying to sell sexy women as skins is one of the most lucrative things in live service games, as far as I understand. Gauntlett Thank you letter Thank you for everyone's advice on buying a new gaming PC in the Inbox and Underbox. It has been really helpful. I will let you know what I have decided to get when I do. I am going to call PC Specialist and speak to them about what I want and also put forward the build that Magnumstache recommended (thank you Magnumstache). I forgot to say in my original letter, that my current PC is 13 years old in January 2026 and it cost me £1,500 back then. I have been planning to get a new computer for the past year or so in August/September 2025, but in the past month my current computer has had multiple issues and something in it is failing. I am backing up my current computer every day, or every other day, in case my current PC fails. I haven't had any computer problems with it in the past 13 years, until now. Andrew J. PS: On a slightly different topic, on the Fangamer website you can pre-order a physical version of UFO 50 for Switch and also a 116 page guide to all about the games in UFO 50. You can purchase the game and guide separately or together as the Deluxe Edition. The guide and game come out in February 2026. I am thinking about pre-ordering the guide as it looks very good. The YouTuber Physical Paradise highlighted the guide on his YouTube channel. Budget constraints I'm very excited about the prospect of Square Enix talking to the makers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and hopefully making more games with turn-based battles. My biggest hope would be that they make Final Fantasy 17 turn-based and lower budget. I don't mean a 2D-HD game, but I really don't think Final Fantasy works as a gigantic AAA epic, because to justify spending that much money they have to make it too mainstream friendly and Final Fantasy 16 was such a bore because of that. I'm still shocked Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is turning out so well, but I guess they at least realised that one was dependent on nostalgia. Hinkle The real Resident Evil 3 The rumour about Resident Evil Code: Veronica having a remake is definitely something I have been hoping for quite a long while now. I remember it was originally released on the Dreamcast, I believe, and then was released for the PlayStation 2, which was the version I completed. Now Resi 1 and 2 were terrifying back on the PS1, me being a younger gamer not used to horror game types back then! But Code: Veronica was definitely something special and new again, due to the graphical styles between the older pre-rendered static artwork and newer backgrounds that moved and zoomed into the scenery as the character moved about. Being a big Albert Wesker fan, seeing the evolution of his character, who most people thought was killed by the Tyrant in the Spencer Mansion, was great. Him being able to move swiftly and reminding you of a Metal Gear Solid character cemented Wesker as the most iconic villain in gaming history. The story of Veronica also propelled the lore of Resident Evil, creating an even more intriguing and horrifying mythos for the evil pharmaceutical company Umbrella! So the possibilities of more insight into the Code: Veronica storyline will definitely be a plus from me. Especially when the previous remakes had added twists and character development going on. So if Code: Veronica is to be released within the next two years, then one of my gaming hopes would have come true. I agree that evolving Resident Evil may need to happen, but you do need the past to get the future to work, which is why Resi's 7 and 8 have advanced the series with new characters and plotlines but kept the homage to the past. So the next few years should potentially be more exciting times for us Resident Evil fans. Alucard GC: Yes, Code: Veronica was originally a Dreamcast exclusive (and was intended to be Resident Evil 3, with the actual Resident Evil 3 conceived as merely a spin-off) but was ported to PlayStation 2 a year later. Inbox also-rans I would absolutely play a game called Crap Dungeon. If I were them I'd change it back to that in Japan and in the West! Cardigan I'm not sure how many people will care in the UK but the rumour is Tales Of Xillia is getting a remaster and it'll be announced at Gamescom. I'm looking forward to it! Benjy Dog More Trending Email your comments to: gamecentral@ The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers' letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content. You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader's Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot. You can also leave your comments below and don't forget to follow us on Twitter. MORE: Games Inbox: Should Leon die in Resident Evil Requiem? MORE: Games Inbox: Is an Xbox Game Pass subscription worth it? MORE: Games Inbox: Does it matter that physical video games are dying?
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
The rudest name ever for a video game was a complete accident
A developer has asked players to give their upcoming Steam game a go, despite it having a very off-putting name. Coming up with a name for your video game is a very important job and one that indie developers, in particular, often aren't very good at – although Nintendo's new Drag x Drive isn't exactly great either. A good, striking name can help a game stand out from the competition and catch the wandering eye of a customer casually browsing the shelves of a shop or a digital storefront. One upcoming Steam game, however, has caught attention in Japan for having an amusingly rude name, but one the studio insists wasn't intentional. The game is called The Crazy Hyper-Dungeon Chronicles, or just Crazy Hyper Dungeon for short, and is a rougelite dungeon crawler from Italian publisher/developer Fix-a-Bug. We've never heard of it or the studio before but, according to its website, it made waves at last year's Tokyo Game Show and won the 2024 Red Bull Indie Forge, a competition meant to showcase indie productions made in Italy. However it was called something else in Japan, though. As spotted by ugetsutakosu4 on X (as translated by Automaton), Crazy Hyper-Dungeon was translated to Kuso Dungeon, whichmeans… Crap Dungeon. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. こんにちは！ゲームのプログラマーです😅意図したわけではないのですが、日本語では「クソダンジョン」💩になってしまいました。修正中ですが…正直まだ笑っています🤭遊んでみてください。本当にそんな「クソ」じゃないことを願っています ^_^※この文はAI翻訳で書きました。 — Giorgio Macratore (@Macratore) August 13, 2025 While there's no one-to-one translation for the word 'kuso,' it's often used as a curse word or to describe something as being of poor quality. So, the title could also read as Rubbish Dungeon or S*** Dungeon. Regardless, anyone browsing Steam in Japan will think the game itself is admitting it's not very good. The post in question caught quite a bit of attention and soon reached the game's official Discord, prompting one of the game's programmers, Giorgio Macratore, to issue a response. He said the name would be changed, confirming it as a mistranslation, though admitted he still laughed when he saw what its name had become. More Trending 'I'm fixing it now… but honestly, I'm still laughing,' wrote Macratore, adding, 'Please give our game a try, I'm hoping it's not actually crap.' As for how this could have happened, the most likely answer is that the game's name was machine translated for the Japanese Steam storefront. This would make sense since machine translations were reportedly used for the Japanese localisation of Crazy Hyper-Dungeon's demo at the Tokyo Game Show last year. We've checked the Japanese Steam storefront for ourselves and the name appears to be fixed, as it now sports the correct title. Although this naming mishap may benefit Crazy Hyper-Dungeon since it will have drawn attention to it. Coincidentally, it received a new demo earlier today, ahead of its launch on October 23, so if you're at all interested you can try it out and see if the Kuso Dungeon moniker was undeserving or not. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Google Stadia and the 5 worst console names ever – Reader's Feature MORE: Insider reveals original Xbox names – all of them were terrible MORE: Nintendo and Steam crack down on hentai and other 'eSlop' filling up game stores
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Drag x Drive review - dragging down Nintendo's reputation
Nintendo's latest first party game for the Switch 2 is a budget-priced wheelchair basketball game, that makes very clever use of the Joy-Con controllers. One shouldn't judge a book by its cover, or a video game by its trailer, but Drag x Drive has turned out to be exactly what it appeared to be. It's a tech demo masquerading as a game, with so few options and features it feels more like a cheaply made indie title, rather than what is so far Nintendo's one and only attempt at an original IP for the Switch 2. While all this is true it doesn't mean the game isn't fun, but it does feel incredibly thin. Anyone upset that Welcome Tour wasn't given away free really weren't missing out on anything, but this definitely should've been a free pack-in for the Switch 2. Because as insubstantial as it is, it is a good demonstration of what a developer as inventive as Nintendo can do with mouse controls. However, since there's no way to play it locally (apart from anything, you need two Joy-Cons per player) its longevity depends entirely on how much you're going to be playing it online. Which we're going to bet is not very long. The premise of Drag x Drive is very simple: it's a low fantasy version of wheelchair basketball, that is faintly reminiscent of Amiga classic Speedball 2. It's not nearly as violent as that game but the edges of the arena do have skateboard park style halfpipe ramps you can drive up, so it's not meant to be a realistic simulation. In terms of the controls, the idea is that you hold a Joy-Con in each hand, using them in mouse mode to simulate you rolling the wheels on the wheelchair. Since the Joy-Cons work perfectly well on your thighs (assuming they're covered by something with an even texture), there's no need to be near a table, even if that is the preferred option. It's a wonderful idea, of the sort that only Nintendo would come up with, when presented with a new control system, but it's a crying shame there isn't much of a game to go along with it. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. To move forward you simply brush the Joy-Cons on your legs, while turning involves what are essentially tank controls, i.e. you hold the left one still (or pull it backwards) but push the right one forward to turn left. That's not a control system most people will be used to, and it takes a good few minutes to gain even a semblance of control over your character. Actually competing in a match is, naturally, even more difficult, as while the game is very generous in terms of how close you need to be in terms of collecting the ball you still have to manoeuvre around the court, while avoiding other players or purposefully knocking into them to get the ball, or getting into position to try and catch it if it's thrown. We always approve of any game that requires you to learn new and interesting skills and getting to grips with Drag x Drive's controls is initially very rewarding. It's also a very good advert for the Switch 2's mouse controls, in terms of its precision and the potential for other games, beyond simply controlling a cursor. Catching and throwing the ball involves physically lifting the Joy-Con up and using its motion controls. You don't have to be terribly precise with this, which is probably wise on Nintendo's part, while you can also use the same controls to wave your hand when you want someone to pass you the ball (or you just want to celebrate). The instant segue from mouse controls to motion controls and back again is great, while also being reminiscent of how Metroid Prime 4 switches control systems on the fly – which we assume is going to be a common theme amongst first party Switch 2 games. In terms of the basic action, Drag x Drive is very good but when it comes to longevity and variety it doesn't even seem to be trying. It's reasonably cheap but not inconsequentially so – not when you'll probably have had enough of it all after just a day or two. The problem isn't the core action but the fact that there's only one main play mode – a basic 3v3 online match – and virtually nothing else. There's only one arena, no unlockables beyond different helmet designs, and a small range of mini-games that make you question whether the controls are really as precise as the main mode makes them seem. You can play in single-player against bots but since there's no meta game it's pointless as anything but practice. More Trending Even stranger than all that is how visually drab the whole game is. Quite inexplicably, especially for a Nintendo game, the primary colour scheme is various shades of grey, creating a sense of ugly grubbiness. Which would be fine if they were making a military shooter or a survival horror but it's absolutely bizarre to see in what is meant to be a fun, family-friendly multiplayer game. Even the music is bland and forgettable. No attempt is made to give any of the players any personality, which reinforces the impression that Nintendo just gave up work halfway through, after meaning to add in proper presentation and a full suite of features later but never getting around to it. If it was a launch game there'd be some excuse, but two months after the Switch 2's release we feel confident in saying that nobody was on tenterhooks waiting for Drag x Drive to come out as soon as possible. Nintendo should've just put Drag x Drive (even the name is rubbish, but we believe it's meant to be said 'Drag and Drive') back in the oven and waiting until it was ready. Because along with Welcome Tour that's now two first party duds for the Switch 2, both of which are unforced errors that would've been better off not existing at all, rather than tarnishing Nintendo's reputation in this way. In Short: A bafflingly under-designed multiplayer game that features some classic Nintendo innovation in terms of controls, but deeply unengaging presentation and zero longevity or variety. Pros: The controls make extremely clever use of the Switch 2's new Joy-Cons and learning to get good enough to compete against other players is engaging. Cons: There's so little structure, and so few options, it feels more like a demo than a full game, with longevity that is measured in hours rather than days or weeks. Inexplicably dour presentation. Score: 5/10 Formats: Nintendo Switch 2Price: £16.99Publisher: NintendoDeveloper: NintendoRelease Date: 14th August 2025 Age Rating: 3 Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Best free video game demos to play right now – from Shinobi to Battlefield 6 MORE: Football Manager 26 shows off new graphics engine in first trailer MORE: Average gamer in Europe spends less than £100 on gaming in a year
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
‘Drag x Drive' is a fun Switch 2 idea but an exhausting drag to play
As an early game for the recently released Nintendo Switch 2, 'Drag x Drive' should be a fun display of the hybrid console's mouse feature. And it is, for maybe 20 minutes at a time.
CNET
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Drag x Drive Proves the Switch 2's Mouse Mode Controls Are Fantastic
Nintendo's next summer title -- and one of the few new games for the Switch 2 soon after its June launch -- is the multiplayer wheelchair basketball game, Drag x Drive. It uses the console's new Joy-Con mouse controls to simulate moving the wheels of your chair (or vehicle, as it's referred to in-game) while playing short three-on-three matches. While it does take some getting used to, it shows off how well this new input mode works and harkens back to an era of motion-controlled gaming made popular on Nintendo's Wii. Playing Drag x Drive is unique, reflecting the Switch 2 new tech. You detach each Joy-Con 2 controller from the system, place the sensors face down on a surface (which can range from a table to even your legs), and slide the controllers forward and backward to move the wheels respectively. I actually found it more comfortable on my wrists to use the controllers positioned a little wider on my thighs instead of straight up and down on a table. Learning to play has a steep curve, and I found my shoulders getting tired quickly as the game kept reminding me that longer strokes would move my character faster on the court. For anyone who experienced Tennis Elbow back when WiiSports came out, Drag x Drive's bodily wear-and-tear will be familiar. Screenshot by Sean Booker/CNET The mouse's controls are good -- better than I expected, in fact. They feel snappy, and I was able to pull off some higher-level maneuvers when I got used to it. And as you move, you can feel a subtle vibration in each hand to help you dial in how much force you're inputting. Moving the controllers at different speeds will adjust the turning radius. Braking (by pressing the R or L buttons) can be done independently of each wheel to further your control. There are even tricks you can pull off by using breaking and lifting the controllers in specific combinations, which the game points out will help you perform more advanced blocks and interceptions. Controls are the big novelty of Drag x Drive and take time to get used to, though the court and game modes offer their own unique challenges. Read more: I Played Donkey Kong Bananza. It's the Switch 2's Killer Ape Screenshot by Sean Booker/CNET Moderately deep mechanics for a $20 game The primary mode is a 3-minute three-on-three game that's reminiscent of Rocket League (without the jetpacks). There's an indicator always pointing toward the oversized ball. Rolling into it will pick it up. If you're going fast enough (represented by a flashing light on your back) and crashing into someone head-on will knock it loose. And if you raise one of the joy-cons off the surface, you will lift the ball, flicking your wrist will make a shot. Since the court is kind of a skateboard-style bowl, you can even roll up into the air from the sides and shoot or dunk from above. These trick shots will award players with more granular points, for example, an aerial shot might award you 2.3 instead of the standard two you'd see in typical basketball. But you can still land a three-pointer from outside the boundary, but you'll have to be lined up real well while the other five players aren't slamming into you. Defense also works just like you'd expect, with positioning playing the most important role. Pressing the R and L buttons together will pass the ball to a teammate. If an opponent is in the way, they can intercept. This is key since I witnessed many teams pass a ball way down the court to an isolated player while we tried to race after them to stop the shot. Like every sport, you'll want to spread out and cover someone instead of clumping all together around the ball, like most new players often do. Screenshot by Sean Booker/CNET While Drag x Drive curiously doesn't refer to anything as a wheelchair (or even highlight the awesome and inclusive sport of wheelchair basketball), it's really wonderful to see this representation. The characters can also be swapped out for one of three unit types: defense, forward or guard, all with different speed and power stats. From there, you can customise your character's outfit and gear, with more to unlock as you play. Outside of the online play, there are also nine different bot difficulties you can take on, so the game is playable in single player. There are also several minigames stationed around the hub area. These include a timed race and a rebound mode where you need to chase after a bouncing ball in the hub before time runs out. They're pretty short and not all that interesting, but they will reward you with medals to unlock gear. There are also some obstacles positioned around to play with. One example is a giant jump rope that you can bunny hop over. There isn't a typical career or story campaign to work through -- the main draw is the one core multiplayer mode. Considering the low $20 entry price, I wouldn't expect anything super in-depth, making this more of a unique application of the Switch 2 Joy-Cons' mouse mode than a long-lasting play experience. Drag x Drive is a shallow experience, but the skill ceiling has a lot of potential. Its low entry price makes it an easy recommendation, even if you're just interested in trying out the new mouse controls that the Switch 2 offers. If Nintendo chooses to support the game with more content in the future, I would love to see limited-time events and more game modes get added, building on the bones of one of the most unique sports games to come out in years. Drag x Drive comes out on Switch 2 on Thursday.
