Drag x Drive Nintendo Switch 2 Release Highlights Small Team and Hisashi Nogami's Role

Nintendo has officially released Drag x Drive for the Nintendo Switch 2, marking one of the platform’s most intriguing launches this year.

Notably, the game draws attention for both its compact core development team and the involvement of industry veteran Hisashi Nogami, recognized for his significant roles on major Nintendo franchises such as Animal Crossing and Splatoon. Drag x Drive distinguishes itself within Nintendo’s diverse portfolio by emerging from one of the company’s smaller development teams in recent history.

The game’s credits reveal that just 20 key staff members contributed directly to the project, a modest number that stands out amidst the typically larger-scale teams characteristic of modern game development. At the helm of Drag x Drive’s design and direction is Yoshinori Konishi, serving as both Director and Program Director.

The rest of the core team spans crucial disciplines, with roles including Player Programming by Hirorki Hamaue, UI Programming from Masato Orishige, Object Programming by Shoya Masuji, and Sound Programming by Yoshita Imakiire.

Artistic vision was guided by Takahisa Ikejiro, who took on Art Director and Character Design duties.

Additional contributors managed field and UI design, VFX, sound, music, and engineering, lending a multi-talented approach across development. Significantly, Hisashi Nogami’s involvement as Producer marks an exciting return to a new IP for the veteran developer.

Nogami is widely regarded for his directorial work on numerous Animal Crossing titles before transitioning to produce the globally influential Splatoon series.

As underscored in Drag x Drive’s credits, this project is the first time in over a decade that Nogami’s expertise has been applied to a Nintendo title outside of those two flagship series, presenting fans and analysts with a notable milestone in his career. In a statement reflecting the team’s collaborative spirit, Hisashi Nogami emphasized the importance of each team member’s role, noting that Drag x Drive’s success stems from the passion and creativity of the compact group that brought the project to life. Drag x Drive debuted on the Nintendo Switch 2 yesterday, drawing immediate interest from dedicated Nintendo fans and industry observers alike.

Early reviews highlight the game’s distinctive design and focused development process, which leverages the enhanced features of Nintendo’s latest hardware.

With executive production from Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa and oversight by General Producer Shinya Takahashi, Drag x Drive stands as a testament to the innovative spirit still thriving within Nintendo’s internal teams. For more on Drag x Drive, including detailed reviews and insights into the Nintendo Switch 2 launch lineup, stay tuned to our continuing coverage.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Splatoon Animal Crossing Nintendo Drag x Drive Switch 2 Switch Hisashi Nogami Yoshinori Konishi Shinya Takahashi Shuntaro Furukawa