Nex Playground review: an Apple-like active games console for the family

Accessible, controller-free gaming that's ideal for children.

Nex Playground review; a small colourful cube with a camera
(Image: © Future)

Our Verdict

A new way to play games, designed for the family with safe fun at its core, Nex Playground is a novel alternative to Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox. Die hard gamers will find its games lack depth – but it's not designed for you.

For

  • Plug and play design
  • Unique controller-free play
  • Tailored for families

Against

  • Too simple for many gamers

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I'll admit it, I was sceptical about Nex Playground when I first heard about it. I've been playing games all my life, and have reported on games for over 25 years; I've seen console fads and experiments come and go, from Nintendo's Virtual Boy to Google's Stadia, and everything in between, so a controller free, active games console with simple games and fitness, that can't play the latest graphics intensive hits like Doom: The Dark Ages, well… can it really appeal and to who?

Fundamentally, Nex Playground is about accessibility and safety. This tiny games console that can fit into the palm of your hand is designed with young children and families in mind, with no in-app purchases, simple gesture-controlled games, there's nothing to break and little to befuddle.

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Nex Playground score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Tech:

Advanced motion capture and AI.

5/5

Design:

Small, stylish and eye-catching.

5/5

Performance:

Accessible, active games and excellent fitness apps

5/5

Games:

Simple and formulaic; ideal for young children.

3/5

Price:

Not the cheapest but represents good value for families.

3/5

Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo Switch OLED: was $361.40 now $268.21 at Walmart

With Switch 2 launching, the original Switch and Switch OLED are coming down in price. These have good fitness apps and children's games but can be more complex and expensive than Nex Playground.

Read our Nintendo Switch review

Meta Quest 3
Meta Quest 3: was $499.99 now $499.99 at Best Buy

If you want to get close to Nex Playground's motion control gaming then Meta Quest 3 is a good choice. It costs more, and is VR, but it has a good mix of active games and apps.

Read our Meta Quest 3 review

Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X: was $499.99 now $549.99 at microsoft.com

If you want the power of a modern console combined with the ease of a subscription then Xbox plus a Game Pass sub is a great option. But it is twice the price of Nex Playground.

Read our Xbox Series X review

The Verdict
8

out of 10

Nex Playground review: an Apple-like active games console for the family

A new way to play games, designed for the family with safe fun at its core, Nex Playground is a novel alternative to Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox. Die hard gamers will find its games lack depth – but it's not designed for you.

Ian Dean
Editor, Digital Arts & 3D

Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and video game titles Play and Official PlayStation Magazine. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on digital art, VFX and video games and tech, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5.

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