Overview

The Nex Playground is a home video game console developed by Nex Team Inc., first released in December 2023, built around active, motion-based play rather than traditional controllers. It runs on an Android-based Play OS, uses an Amlogic A311D2-NOD chip paired with a Mali-G52 MC4 GPU, 16 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and 64 GB of storage, and its standout hardware feature is a built-in ultra-wide-angle camera used for motion capture. Its creator has described it as a spiritual successor to the Microsoft Kinect, but repackaged into a small, self-contained cube rather than an add-on accessory.

Despite competing against giants like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo, the Nex Playground has made real noise in the market — it reportedly outsold the Xbox Series X|S during a recent Black Friday weekend in the US, a genuinely surprising feat for a console built entirely around body-tracking, screen-free-feeling gameplay.

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Design and Setup

The console itself is tiny, measuring roughly three inches on each side and fitting comfortably in one hand. It ships with a power cord that includes an attached lens cover for privacy, an HDMI cable, and a Roku-style remote that matches the console’s light blue and yellow color-blocked design, all finished in a matte, smudge-resistant surface.

Setup is where the Nex Playground really shines. The entire process is just plugging it in and scanning a QR code to complete a quick registration form, and one reviewer had their first game running within four minutes of unboxing. For non-tech-savvy households — grandparents, young kids, or anyone who dreads console setup — this is a genuine selling point.

Motion Tracking and Gameplay

The console can track up to four bodies simultaneously, letting the whole family jump into a game at once, space permitting, and does so without any handheld controller — movement itself is the input. Reviewers note the tracking latency feels remarkably low, with responses that register almost instantly.

Five games are included right out of the box, including a full-scale version of Fruit Ninja, giving new owners plenty to try immediately. That said, TechRadar’s review points out that the game library, while varied and approachable, doesn’t offer the depth found in mainstream console titles, and some games show occasional frame rate issues. Accessing the full game library also requires a Play Pass subscription, which is worth factoring into the total cost of ownership.

Who It’s For

One parent reviewer, a mother of two young children, described the Nex Playground as a hit across generations in her household — kids, grandparents, aunts, and uncles all enjoyed it — framing it as a strong pick for active families who enjoy group activities like dance parties or party games and want to bring that energy into screen time. TechRadar similarly frames it as a fine entry-level console for preschoolers, elderly users, or anyone interested in light fitness rather than a replacement for a “serious” gaming setup.

Price and Value

The console launched at an introductory price of $199, with a current price closer to $299. Deal-tracking data shows it regularly discounted back down toward its original $199 price point during sales events. TechRadar calls out its approachable price point as one of its core strengths relative to mainstream consoles. That said, ongoing access to the full game catalog depends on a Play Pass subscription, so the sticker price isn’t necessarily the full story long-term.

Pros and Cons