Updated 4 Nov 2026
Is the Nex Playground worth it?
Yes — for active family games with young children.
A wide-angle camera tracks everyone's bodies, so there are no controllers to lose: children play sports, dance and party games by moving in front of the TV, and setup takes a few minutes. Five games come free; the rest of the 40-plus need the Play Pass subscription, about $89 or £90 a year. The games are simple next to a Switch or PS5, some stutter, and tracking can slip with two players close together.
Good to know
- Only five games are free; the rest need Play Pass, about $89 or £90 a year.
- The games are simple and short next to a Switch or PS5.
- Some games drop frames.
- Tracking can slip with two players close together, and you need clear floor space.
- No controllers: the camera tracks your body
- Gets the whole family moving
- Sets up in minutes
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Get it if…
- You want games that get young children moving.
- You want something the whole family can play without controllers.
- You liked the Wii's sports games.
Skip it if…
- You want deep games for older children or adults.
- You don't want another subscription.
- Your living room has little floor space.
More on the Nex Playground
How we reached this verdict
TechRadar recommends it as an affordable, easy console built around its wide camera and motion tracking, but notes the games lack depth, most need Play Pass and some drop frames. CGMagazine scores it 8: a great system for fun family nights, set up in minutes, though not one for deep games, with tracking slipping in two-player bowling. Creative Bloq's review calls it a novel, family-safe alternative to Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox that die-hard gamers will find too simple; it launched in the UK in May 2026 at £269. We found no verified owner reviews in the shops we read yet.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: TechRadar, CGMagazine, Creative Bloq, Creative Bloq (UK launch), TechRadar, Push Square (PS5 Pro reviews), Tom's Guide (Switch Lite), manufacturer specifications.
Updated 4 Nov 2026How we decide