Are you tired of video games that turn your kids into couch potatoes? Your search for a solution might end with this Nex Playground review. This isn’t just another gaming console; it’s an active play system that gets everyone off the sofa and moving their butts.
The Nex Playground uses a built-in camera and AI to track your movements, letting you play games by swinging, jumping, and slicing through the air—no controllers needed.
We explore this system and its capabilities to see if it lives up to the hype. Can a cube really get kids excited about active play? Let’s jump right into our Nex Playground review to find out if this innovative system deserves a spot in your family room.
Nex Playground Review: The Quick Take
For busy parents who want the key facts fast, here is a snapshot of what this active play system offers.
| Feature | Specification |
| Design | 3-inch cube |
| What’s In the Box | Nex Playground console, magnetic privacy cover, remote control, power supply, HDMI cable, 5-game starter pack |
| Gameplay Tech | Built-in wide-angle camera with AI body tracking for up to 4 players |
| Space Required | Minimum of 6 ft x 6 ft of play space |
| Age Recommendation | Ages 5 and up (3-4 year-olds can play with help) |
| Subscription | Play Pass: $49 for 3 months or $89 for a year for 45+ games |
| Key Benefit | Truly mess-free, controller-free active play that is intuitive for all ages. Explore current deals here. |
What Is The Nex Playground and How Does It Work?
The Nex Playground is a 3-inch cube that connects to your TV via HDMI. Its magic lies in what it doesn’t need: there are no controllers to charge, no wearable remotes to strap on, and no plastic instruments cluttering your living room.
Instead, the system uses a built-in wide-angle camera and proprietary AI to track 18 body points in real time. This technology turns your living room into an interactive gaming zone.
When you stand in front of your TV, the Nex Playground’s motion sensor tracks your gestures—you slice fruit in Fruit Ninja by swinging your arm through the air. You block soccer balls in Go Keeper by jumping side-to-side. The system can track up to four players simultaneously, making it a fantastic centerpiece for family game night.
[Read what others have to say about this gaming console.]
Nex Playground Review: Setting Up the Nex Playground — Is It Really That Easy?
You will be shocked at how simple it is to set up the Nex Playground. If you can plug in a single HDMI cable, you are qualified for the job. The process is brilliantly straightforward:
- Plug & Play: Connect the cube to your TV and a power outlet.
- Connect to Wi-Fi: Use the included remote to get online and download games.
- Start Playing: That is literally it.
Many modern gaming systems require complex accounts, lengthy software updates, and controller syncing. The Nex Playground bypasses all that frustration. As one parent reviewer noted,
“I was shocked at how simple it was. I plugged the Nex Playground into our projector via HDMI and plugged in the power cord. I used the remote to turn it on, followed the on-screen instructions, and in a few minutes, we were up and running. This is important when you have kids anxiously waiting to play”.
Nex Playground Review: Exploring the Game Library — Is There Something For Everyone?
This is where the Nex Playground truly shines. The system comes with five pre-loaded games, but the real value comes from the Play Pass subscription, which unlocks a catalog of over 45 games and adds new titles monthly.
The Starter Pack Games (Included)
- Fruit Ninja: Slice flying fruit with your hands—a classic made even more physical.
- Whack-a-Mole: A fast-paced, digital version of the carnival favorite that will have you ducking and swinging.
- Party Fowl: A hilarious multiplayer game where players compete by completing silly challenges.
- Go Keeper: Become a soccer goalkeeper and stop shots from hitting the net.
- Starri: A dance-like game where you reach and move your arms towards floating targets to the beat of the music.
The Play Pass Catalog (Subscription)
The Play Pass subscription is your ticket to the whole experience. For around $49 for 3 months or $89 per year, you get unlimited access to the entire growing library. This is where you will find beloved licensed characters and a huge variety of genres:
- For Toddlers & Preschoolers: Games featuring Peppa Pig, Sesame Street, and Care Bears make active play accessible for the youngest family members. The “Peppa Pig: Jump & Giggle” game is particularly adorable.
- For Family Fitness: Games like NexGym Fitness and the Family Fitness Challenge provide structured workouts that feel more like play than exercise.
- For Arcade-Style Fun: Classics like Hungry Hungry Hippos and Connect 4 Bounce bring board games to life in a whole new way.
- For Dance & Rhythm: Barbie Dance Party and Starri get your heart pumping and are a blast at parties.
The diversity of games means there is genuinely something for every age and interest, from a three-year-old jumping as Peppa Pig to a parent looking for a fun arm workout.
Nex Playground Review: The Family Test — What Is It Actually Like to Use?
The Good: Why You Will Love It
- It’s Incredibly Intuitive: The biggest win is that anyone can play. Grandparents, little kids, and non-gaming parents can all jump in without a learning curve. The motions are natural—you kick a ball in a soccer game by actually kicking.
- It Gets Kids Moving: This is the core promise, and the Nex Playground delivers on it. Kids are jumping, stretching, swinging, and dancing. It is a fantastic solution for rainy days or when you need to burn off energy before dinner. As one parent put it, “It’s been fun to play video games on a large scale with my kids while also moving around”.
- The “Wow” Factor is Real: There is a genuine magic to controlling a game with just your body. The technology works impressively well, with low latency that makes the gameplay feel responsive.
- Safe and Contained for Kids: All games are vetted by the kidSAFE+ COPPA certification program. They contain no ads, no violence, and no chat features. Once games are downloaded, you can play them completely offline, which is a huge plus for privacy and convenience.
The Considerations: What to Keep in Mind
- You Need Enough Space: The manufacturer recommends a minimum of 6 feet by 6 feet of clear space in front of your TV. If your living room is cramped or has a tall TV stand, you might run into issues. One reviewer noted that, with a shallow living room, the camera could not always track her lower-body movements during squats and lunges.
- The Subscription is Almost Essential: While the five starter games are fun, the real variety comes from the Play Pass. Factor this recurring cost into your decision.
- It’s a Different Kind of Gaming: If you are a hardcore gamer looking for deep narratives and complex controls, this isn’t it. The Nex Playground is about quick, accessible, active fun. It is a supplement, not a replacement, for traditional gaming systems.
- Tracking isn’t Always Perfect: While generally accurate, the system can occasionally get confused if players swap places quickly or if your play space is tight. A quick wave of the arms is usually enough to recalibrate.
Nex Playground vs. The Competition
How does it stack up against other family gaming options? Let’s compare it to a major player: the Nintendo Switch.
| Nex Playground | Nintendo Switch | |
| Gameplay Style | Full-body, controller-free motion | Primarily controller-based, some motion games |
| Setup | Extremely simple: plug & play | Requires controller syncing, accounts |
| Best For | Young kids, large groups, mixed ages | Gamers of all levels, portable play |
| Multiplayer Cost | No extra controllers needed | Additional controllers (Joy-Cons) are expensive |
| Game Library | Curated, active, kid-safe | Vast, including complex and violent titles |
| Price Point | More affordable all-in-one system | Higher initial and ongoing game costs |
The Nex Playground wins on simplicity and accessibility. As highlighted in a professional review, “even motion-based games on the [Nintendo Switch] platform, such as Switch Sports, require some level of interaction with a controller. Nintendo is also slower to release multiplayer games, the extra accessories are costly, and the newest games are rising in price. In contrast, the Nex Playground is painless to set up and use”.
Nex Playground Review: Privacy, Safety, and Practical Concerns
Is There a Camera in My Living Room?
Yes, and the Nex Playground addresses this head-on. The system comes with a magnetic privacy cover that lets you physically block the camera when not in use. More importantly, the company states that all video processing occurs locally on the device—no video is stored or sent to the cloud. A light on the device also indicates when the camera is active, giving you complete control.
Is the Nex Playground Good for Gaming Families?
The Nex Playground is a brilliant choice for certain families. You should get one if :
- You have children ages 3 to 12 who need active indoor play.
- You want a gaming system that grandparents and non-gamers can use without frustration.
- Your goal is collaborative and lighthearted fun rather than competitive, complex gaming.
- You are looking for an excellent gift for a 3-year-old that will grow with them.
You might want to skip it if:
- Your primary interest is in traditional, sit-down video games.
- You lack the recommended 6×6 feet of clear play space.
- You are not interested in paying for the Play Pass subscription to access the full game library.
Nex Playground Review Verdict: Is it Worth Your Money?
After thoroughly reviewing the system, the Nex Playground is a resounding yes for families looking to add more movement and shared fun to their lives. It’s a well-designed active play system that delivers on its core promise. It gets kids and adults moving with intuitive, engaging, and genuinely fun games.
The value is clear: for a reasonable upfront cost and a reasonably priced subscription, you get an ever-expanding library of active games that the whole family can enjoy together without the friction of controllers or complex setups. It takes video games back to the 90s, when the entire family could have fun playing simple games like Mario Kart.
The Nex Playground stands out as a unique and valuable addition to the family room. It successfully turns screen time into active, connected playtime—and that is a win for everyone. Hope our Nex Playground review answered all your questions. Click here to explore current deals.
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