The Nex Playground is a video game console developed by San Jose-based company Nex. It is a motion controlled console developed to provide families with an indoor active play opportunity. Games for the console use motion tracking to complete challenges or tasks. It was released in December 2023.
The Nex Playground is a video game console with a built-in ultra wide-angle camera, being described by Nex CEO David Lee as a successor to the Microsoft Kinect.
The console is a cube approximately 3" (76 mm) on all sides. It has an 8-core ARM chip and 64GB of built-in storage. A remote control connects to the console via Bluetooth and is used for initial setup and game selections. The console connects to a display with an HDMI cable. A disc to cover the camera is included and magnetically snaps onto the console body.
Software
Gameplay happens with use of an AI-powered motion tracking engine. The Nex Playground console comes with 5 built-in games, including Fruit Ninja and Starri. Additional games are available through the Play Pass subscription, which costs $89 annually. New games are developed and released onto Play Pass throughout the year.[2][3] Games are downloaded over Wi-Fi; after download, they can be played offline.
The Nex Playground has adjustable difficulty options and accessibility features dedicated for people with limited mobility.[4]
Spring of Fun 2025 update
In March 2025, Nex announced the Spring of Fun 2025 release that added several new titles to the Nex Playground library, including DreamWorks Animation's How to Train Your Dragon, a Care Bears inspired endless runner, and BoxFlow Fitness designed for a full body workout gaming experience.[5]
Reception
Simon Hill of Wired gave the console a rating of 6/10, praising the device's design and motion tracking capabilities, but criticizing the limited library of games and pricing scheme.[6] It was described as a "Box That Looks Like the OUYA and Kinect Had a Kid" by gaming industry analyst Mat Piscatella.[7] It was positively reviewed by Haley Perry of Wirecutter, who remarked the accessibility of the experience and game selection, but criticised occasional issues with the motion control.[4]
Sales
The Nex Playground became a sought after gift during the Black Friday shopping season in 2024. Retail partners including Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy sold out of consoles and customers waited for small restocks to be able to purchase the game.[8]
At certain points, it has had greater weekly sales than traditional consoles such as Xbox Series or the PlayStation 5.[9][10] During the week ending November 22, 2025, the Nex Playground was the second best-selling hardware SKU in the United States based on units sold.[7]
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