Nex Playground review: a cheaper console option for all the family

More of a purpose-built living room toy box, the Nex Playground is quick to set up, easy to understand, and designed to get bodies moving immediately. Yes, you’ll notice the technical ceiling in visuals and occasional frame stutters, and the Play Pass model won’t work for everyone. But as a family-friendly, camera-controlled alternative that’s safe, approachable, and surprisingly versatile, from party chaos to light fitness, it delivers on its core promise: making play feel effortless for all ages.

The console has carved out a rare lane in gaming, so much so that it reportedly outsold both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series gaming consoles during one week in November 2025. That outcome isn’t hard to understand: as development budgets climb, hardware R&D gets pricier, and tariffs add pressure, mainstream gaming has become an increasingly expensive form of entertainment. At the same time, the motion-control boom of ...