A new video game console hitting the UK this June is challenging the notion that gaming means sitting still. The Nex Playground, a compact cube-shaped device, uses artificial intelligence and a built-in camera to track players' movements, replacing traditional controllers with body gestures.
Developed by US-based tech firm Nex, the console is designed to combat sedentary screen time among children. CEO David Lee says the focus is not on cutting-edge graphics but on encouraging active play.
The device surprised industry observers when research firm Circana named it the third best-selling console in the US during Black Friday 2025, outselling both the Xbox Series S and X.
While motion-controlled gaming isn't new—Nintendo's Wii debuted in 2006—concerns about children's passive screen time remain high among parents and policymakers.
Cost and Subscription Model
The Playground will launch in the UK and Ireland on 22 June at £269 (€319). The device comes with five free starter games, but a subscription—£90 per year or £45 quarterly—is required to access the full library of over 60 titles, including popular tie-ins like Peppa Pig.
Parent Nick from Louisiana, who has owned the system for six months, said the subscription was his "biggest hesitancy" initially. "But when you consider that a single Switch game costs about $70 or $80, it's really not too egregious," he noted.
Brian, a father in Philadelphia, agrees: "There's plenty of value here, especially in terms of dollars per hour of activity."
Setup and Motion Tracking
The system uses AI to track 18 points on a player's body via a wide-angle camera, creating an on-screen avatar that mirrors their movements. Setup is straightforward, according to early adopters like Corey from North Carolina, who called it "extremely smooth."
However, some users noted the tracking can feel less precise than older systems like the Wii or Xbox Kinect. Brian described it as "a little lacking" at times.
In testing, the camera quickly adapted to a small living room, allowing for games like Fruit Ninja (slicing virtual fruit with hand swipes) and a rhythm game where players hit notes to A-ha's "Take On Me." While some games felt like "tech demos," Corey said others were more robust: "The subscription lets me not worry about that and just dive into whatever my family wants to explore."
Privacy and Safety
Nex emphasizes that the camera processes motion data locally, not in the cloud, and does not record video. The device is kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, complying with US child privacy laws, and includes a physical lens cover plus parental controls to hide age-inappropriate content.
Screen Time Compromise
Though users still look at a TV screen, parents view the Playground as a compromise that gets kids active. Sessions typically last 30 minutes to an hour, often serving as a bridge between activities. Brian said the system encourages active play "in a way typical cartoons or movies were unable to."
During a trial of the starter games, three titles required only minimal arm movement, while the rhythm game and mini-games involved fuller body motions. The subscription's "Health & Fitness" category includes Zumba sessions with an on-screen instructor.
Market Position and Future
Since its December 2023 launch in the US and Canada, the Playground has sold over a million units. While it won't challenge major consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2—which sold 17 million units by end of 2025—Chris Scullion of Video Games Chronicle says its "clear family focus" makes it a strong alternative for parents seeking a modern Wii Sports or Wii Fit replacement.
A multi-year partnership with Wrexham AFC will bring Nex branding to the club's kit sleeves and community programs. If the strategy succeeds, the Playground may carve a niche not as a rival to traditional consoles but as a tool for active family entertainment.