In this article
The Nex Playground console is a TV-connected gaming system that uses a built-in camera to turn body movements into game controls. Players jump, dance, swing and dodge without holding a controller. It includes five starter games, while an optional Play Pass subscription unlocks the wider catalogue.
For US and UK buyers, the main considerations are the hardware price, ongoing subscription costs and available floor space. Nex currently lists the system at $299 in the US and £269.99 in the UK. The included games work without a subscription, but access to the larger library requires a separate payment.
How the Nex Playground Console Works
Playground connects to a television or compatible projector through HDMI. Its wide-angle camera tracks players’ movements, allowing physical actions to control what happens on screen. Nex says its motion system tracks 18 points on the body and supports up to four simultaneous players.
That four-player capacity is a system maximum, rather than a promise for every title. Individual games have their own player limits: Bluey: Bust-a-Move, for example, supports one to three players.
Although gameplay does not require handheld controllers, the box includes a remote. You use it to set up the device, navigate menus and choose games. There is no need to buy a separate gameplay controller for each participant.
The package also includes a magnetic camera cover, power and HDMI cables, and access to the five-game starter pack. Games download during setup, so connecting the hardware is only the first step before playing.
US and UK Prices: Hardware and Play Pass
The purchase price and subscription charge cover different things. Buying the hardware provides the system and starter games; Play Pass provides access to the expanded game library.
| Purchase | United States | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Console | $299 | £269.99 |
| Three-month Play Pass | $49 | £45 |
| Twelve-month Play Pass | $89 | £90 |
Prices listed by Nex as of 26 October 2026. Retailer offers, bundles, prices and features may change.
At those listed prices, the hardware plus a twelve-month pass totals $388 in the US or £359.99 in the UK, before any applicable additional checkout charges or discounts.
Nex lists US purchasing options including Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best Buy. Its UK product page directs buyers to Amazon UK, Argos and Smyths Toys. Stock and bundle contents depend on the retailer.
Check what a particular package includes before comparing prices. A console-only listing and a bundle containing a year of Play Pass provide different amounts of game access.
Which Games Are Included?
Every system includes these five starter games:
- Fruit Ninja
- Starri
- Party Fowl
- Go Keeper
- Whack-a-Mole Deluxe
These remain available without Play Pass. You can therefore begin with the included selection and add the subscription later, rather than committing to the larger catalogue during initial setup.
Play Pass currently unlocks more than 60 active games. The selection spans sports, music and dance, preschool activities, party games, fitness and adventure.
Titles listed by Nex include Bluey: Bust-a-Move, Barbie Dance Party, Peppa Pig: Jump & Giggle, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Mayhem and Kung Fu Panda: Train Like a Master. These are separate experiences within the Playground library, so buyers interested in a particular character should check the actual game title and access requirements.
The important purchasing limitation is that Nex does not sell games individually. If you want a title outside the starter pack, access comes through Play Pass rather than a one-off game purchase.
What the Subscription Covers
Play Pass includes the wider catalogue, new games and updates during the subscription period. Nex states that its games contain no advertisements or in-app purchases.
One pass can cover a maximum of two Playground devices in the same household, provided they use the same Nex account. A family with two systems therefore does not necessarily need two subscriptions.
The annual option costs less than buying four consecutive three-month passes at the listed rates. However, the shorter option requires a smaller initial payment.
Access to subscription games is tied to the pass period. Ending that access does not remove the five included starter games. This distinction matters when budgeting: the hardware purchase provides a permanent starting selection, while the wider library carries an ongoing cost.
TV Compatibility, Setup and Floor Space
A television with an HDMI input can connect to Playground. Wi-Fi is needed for initial setup, game downloads and software updates.
Activation also involves a mobile phone and email address. You scan the on-screen QR code, enter your email and verify it using a temporary login code. Play Pass can be added during activation or later.
Allow time for downloads before the first planned session. Nex recommends beginning setup two to three hours ahead if you intend to download the full library.
For positioning and room preparation, Nex advises:
- Place the device centrally in front of or below the television.
- Keep it near the front edge of the supporting surface so the camera has a clear view.
- Clear a play area measuring approximately 6 feet by 6 feet, or about 1.8 metres by 1.8 metres.
- Use a well-lit room and avoid strong backlighting.
The Nex Playground console needs room for the movements its games ask players to make. The recommended area should be clear floor space, rather than a measurement that includes furniture.
Downloaded games support offline play. Reconnecting remains necessary for new downloads and updates.
Age Guidance and Family Controls
Nex recommends the system for ages five and above. It says three- and four-year-olds can enjoy a broader selection when a grown-up or older sibling joins them, while some physical challenges may be difficult for children under six.
That recommendation is separate from a game’s content rating. Nex’s UK guidance lists the starter bundle as PEGI 3 and identifies certain games, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Mayhem and Avatar: The Last Airbender Earth Rumble, as PEGI 7.
Parents can hide games they do not want children to access. Individual songs can also be hidden within Starri.
The Family Tools settings provide a security-pattern lock. Nex’s support guidance describes this as a sequence of four directional button presses on the remote, with the pattern sent by email. These controls let adults manage settings and available content instead of relying solely on the catalogue’s family-oriented positioning.
What Happens to the Camera Footage?
According to Nex, motion tracking takes place locally on the device rather than through cloud video processing. Its privacy documentation says video and audio are not saved or stored.
There is a useful qualification: some games temporarily capture video for local replays or highlights. Nex names Party Fowl and Move and Groove with Grover as examples, while stating that those videos are never saved.
The magnetic cover physically covers the camera when the system is not being used. Playground also has no web browser, chat or messaging features, or third-party app installation.
These details describe a closed gaming platform focused on its own catalogue. For buyers, the practical decision is whether the available games, subscription model and room requirements match what their household wants. Checking those three points before purchasing is more useful than judging the device by its small size alone.
1 comment