Launching in the UK this month, the Nex Playground is a pint-sized console that revives the motion-controlled video game boom of the 2000s, but with better and safer technology. The device, about the size of two and a half Rubik's Cubes, uses a wide-angle camera and AI-powered tracking to let players control games with their body movements, replacing traditional controllers.
The console offers over 50 games, including Peppa Pig: Jump and Jiggle, Starri featuring Rick Astley, and Fruit Ninja. Early impressions suggest the tracking works seamlessly and accurately, eliciting smiles from both children and adults. The Playground retails at £269, which is significantly less than other consoles, but comes with only five free games; the rest require a £90 annual subscription.
Despite the subscription cost, the Playground has sold over a million units in the US since its 2023 launch, even outselling Microsoft's Xbox during Black Friday week in 2025. Nex president Thomas Kang expressed surprise at the milestone, but emphasised that the device is not competing directly with traditional consoles. 'We're about active play and family entertainment,' he said, describing the Playground as a complementary device that expands the gaming market.
Safety is a key focus: no camera data from play sessions is saved, either offline or online, ensuring families' privacy. Nex CEO David Lee explained that the Playground began as an AR basketball training app during the pandemic, but users preferred the mini games. The company has partnered with the NHL, US basketball leagues, and Wimbledon to connect the console with real-world sports, aiming to keep it from becoming a dust-gathering novelty.
Lee believes that while motion control may be a novelty for core gamers, for families it is a solution for game night and staying fit. With at least one new game or major update expected regularly, the Nex Playground hopes to revive the spirit of the Wii for a new generation.
