Latest news with #NexPlayground
The Verge
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
The Nex Playground will wear out your energetic kids, and it's $60 off during Prime Day
The Nex Playground is a console full of kid-friendly games that operate solely with motion controls. It's cooler than it sounds; the little cube's camera can track two players' movements in a multitude of games — five of which come free with the console. It's a great way to exhaust your little ones when going outside isn't an option, and it's $60 off for Prime Day. Normally $249.99, you can grab one at Amazon for $189.99 after you clip the on-page coupon. It's $199.99 at Best Buy and Walmart. If you like the five games that come with the Playground, you can choose to buy a Play Pass (in three-month or 12-month subscriptions) to get access to the full suite of titles. What if the dream of Microsoft's Kinect lived on? It does in the Nex Playground, an all-in-one, motion-controlled console filled with kid-friendly games. Exhaust and entertain your little ones. You're welcome. I've had a chance to try several of the games on the Play Pass, and it's even fun for adults. Fruit Ninja is there, as well as a Beat Saber-like dance game, plus other titles where you have to bonk and slice obstacles and enemies (some of them are licensed, featuring Sesame Street, Peppa Pig, Barbie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more). There's no graphic violence, cussing, or profanity. What's more, it has a kidSAFE Plus COPPA seal, ensuring that parents have complete control over their children's data and information. This device can also be used offline. The Nex Playground runs its own easy-to-navigate operating system, and you can dial through menus and the game selection screen using its included remote. The Playground is powered by the included USB-C brick, which has a magnetic privacy cover for the lens. You connect it to your TV using an included HDMI cable. If the price seems high, think of the Nex Playground sort of like the crank-equipped Playdate. You're paying for the hardware, yes, but you're also paying to get access to a library of bespoke (and surprisingly polished) games made exclusively for the platform. You don't see this kind of thing too often. Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we've tested sent to your inbox weekly.
Business Wire
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Cookie Monster ' s Cookie Factory Opens for Play on Nex Playground
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nex, maker of Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving year-round, in collaboration with Sesame Workshop, the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street, today launched their sweetest learning experience yet: Cookie Monster ' s Cookie Factory. Now baking exclusively on Nex Playground, this delicious and playful puzzle adventure engages children's minds, bodies, and senses through play. Access is included with Play Pass, the subscription that unlocks the full Nex Playground experience. 'From Elmo to Grover to Cookie Monster, these games with Nex combine joyful movement with purposeful learning,' said Tina Moglia, Sesame Workshop Supervising Producer, Digital Production. Share In Cookie Monster's Cookie Factory, players will use their bodies to control factory widgets such as sliders, conveyor belts, claws, springs, and fans to transport and sort cookies from a source pipe to destination boxes. Different widgets utilize different body motions, including jumping, squatting, moving arms, and tilting shoulders. 'From Elmo to Grover to Cookie Monster, these games with Nex combine joyful movement with purposeful learning,' said Tina Moglia, Sesame Workshop Supervising Producer, Digital Production. ' Cookie Monster ' s Cookie Factory is a sweet finale that shows how educational play can be just as fun and active as it is meaningful.' What's cookin' in Cookie Monster ' s Cookie Factory? Family Gaming: With multi-player capabilities up to four players, parents can join their children ages 4+ to work together to solve sweet puzzles and help Cookie Monster keep the nummie, nummie treats under control! Early Childhood Skills: In this fun-filled puzzle adventure, players take on cookie-themed challenges focused on sorting, cooperation, and hand-eye coordination. Leveled Progression: With 30 unique levels that require different widgets and body movements, Cookie Monster's Cookie Factory offers a multitude of new challenges and skills to keep children engaged and active. Each level offers up to four stars, but only one is required to move to the next level–because Cookie Monster believes in extra credit (especially when cookies are involved)! Cookie Monster Commentary: Enjoy Cookie Monster's laugh-out-loud narration and classic one-liners as players play through the cookie chaos. The launch marks the fourth and final game in the multi-title collaboration between Nex and Sesame Workshop. Cookie Monster ' s Cookie Factory joins Elmo Says, Elmo & Abby ' s Magical Letter Hunt, and Move & Groove with Grover to create an educational and active play experience that supports key areas of early childhood development in gross motor, early literacy, communication, and now, with Cookie Monster, problem-solving skills. 'From the beginning, our collaboration with Sesame Workshop has centered around one goal: to support whole-child development through joyful, active learning experiences,' said Dr. Emily Greenwald, Chief Pediatric Advisor, Nex Playground. 'Across all four titles, we've intentionally focused on early childhood skills–gross motor, early literacy, communication, and now, with Cookie Monster's Cookie Factory, puzzle-solving. This final game is a perfect example of how movement-based learning can spark cognitive growth and giggles at the same time.' Cookie Monster fans can play Cookie Monster ' s Cookie Factory, along with the entire suite of Sesame Street games, exclusively on Nex Playground with a Play Pass. Families interested in purchasing Nex Playground can find the active play system on Amazon as well as in Best Buy®, Target® and Walmart® online and select retail stores nationwide. Store availability can be found at About Nex Nex is on a mission to help families rediscover the joy of movement. Created by parents for parents, Nex combines technology and play to deliver fun, social, and interactive experiences powered by natural body motion, encouraging kids and adults to move more, play more, and have fun together. Nex Playground, the company's award-winning active play system, is purpose-built to get families moving year-round, with safety and privacy as core considerations in its intentional design. It is certified kidSAFE+ COPPA compliant and built to support healthy, active play for all ages and abilities. Nex Playground features a growing library of 40+ experiences, including motion and dance games, fitness and educational experiences, and Nex Originals. Content includes collaborations with partners like Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, and NBCUniversal. Nex has been recognized by Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, TIME's Best Inventions, and Parents' Best Entertainment System for Families, and has earned Red Dot, IDEA, and Core77 international design awards. To learn more, visit or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook.
Business Wire
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Nex Playground Announces Summer of Fun Game Lineup Featuring New Games With Zumba and Sesame Workshop
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nex, the leading motion technology and entertainment company, today announced its Summer 2025 game lineup for Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving together. Headlining the slate are two standout partnerships: a delicious and playful puzzle adventure starring Sesame Street's Cookie Monster and a high-energy fitness experience created in collaboration with Zumba®. Together with four additional titles spanning sports, fantasy, and trivia, the lineup builds on Nex Playground's growing catalog of motion games that promote healthy, joyful, and communal active play for everyone in the family. We're committed to building games that resonate with our community, and will continue to build our platform to focus on entertainment that is accessible to the whole family. Share With school out and warmer weather coming, kids and families will enjoy having a variety of indoor activities they can play all summer long. Nex Playground is keeping kids moving this summer with a fresh lineup of games: Sesame Street's Cookie Monster's Cookie Factory – Join Cookie Monster in a fun-filled puzzle adventure. Players take on cookie-themed challenges focused on sorting, pattern recognition, and hand-eye coordination. Team up and work together to solve sweet puzzles and help Cookie Monster keep the nummie, nummie treats under control! Zumba – A first-of-its-kind Zumba® experience that combines immersive motion tracking with gamified scoring and progression. Unlock new songs, styles, and dance moves while progressing through increasingly challenging routines. Developed in collaboration with Zumba's globally renowned brand, this innovative title brings the energy and excitement of the studio straight to your living room. Brainy Inc. – Step into the fast-paced world of a factory floor, where you play as a robot in the final stages of assembly. Before earning your place outside the factory, you'll face a series of challenging tests packed with brain teasers and tricky questions. Outsmart the competition, rack up points, and prove your brilliance to claim the title of the smartest robot at Brainy Inc! Mingle – A vibrant matching game from Cookiecrayon, the creators of Nex Playground's Aeon Guard. Featuring quirky characters and a relaxing pace, the game brings a laid-back charm to the summer lineup. Homerun Heroes: Starstrikers – A third-person baseball batting game. Players swing to strike home runs, smash targets, and unlock a variety of costumes and bats to win the ultimate title of Starstrikers. This game features both 1v1 and 2v2 player modes, so no one's sitting on the bench. Sword Slash Adventure – A storybook-inspired action game where players dive into a whimsical, magical world, battling a variety of monsters to unlock new worlds and engage in boss battles. An evolution of Nex Labs' original Sword Slash title, this expanded adventure includes new boss battles and equipment upgrades. 'We're looking forward to expanding Nex Playground's game library with this summer's diverse and creative lineup,' said David Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Nex. 'From educational puzzles and trivia challenges to sports titles and our first-ever Zumba experience, Nex Playground has the ideal lineup to help keep kids and families stay active throughout the summer. We're committed to building games that resonate with our community, and will continue to build our platform to focus on entertainment that is accessible to the whole family.' Nex Playground is a controller-free console designed for families with young kids, making active, communal play more accessible and engaging than ever. Fully motion-powered gameplay means body movements are used rather than controllers, getting players to get off the couch and making physical activity fun for all ages. Additionally, Nex Playground is kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, with no internet connectivity, online interactions, ads, and in-game purchases, making it a standout family gaming option. All data stays local to the device, and the system comes with a built-in camera cover, highlighting Nex's commitment to privacy and safety. After a strong first year at retail in 2024 selling over 200,000 units to date, Nex Playground is gaining serious traction as a top choice for family gaming. Families interested in purchasing Nex Playground can find the console on Amazon as well as in Best Buy®, Target® and Walmart® online and select retail stores nationwide. Store availability can be found at The new summer games will be progressively released on Nex Playground starting this July and will be included in the Play Pass content subscription bundle for families, which is sold separately and can easily be added anytime. To learn more about Nex Playground, visit About Nex Nex is helping families reconnect with the joy of movement through fun, social, and interactive content that's accessible to all ages. Its award-winning Nex Playground active play system launched in December 2023, is designed in California, manufactured by Skyworth, a leader in home entertainment, and is powered by an Amlogic premium AI chip. With Nex Playground, cutting-edge AI and computer vision technologies are used to merge digital and physical worlds, immersing players in the experience using their natural body movement. Games range from original sports and fitness titles, to educational games and titles in collaboration with Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, Fruit Ninja and more. Since its founding, Nex has been recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, TIME's Best Inventions, Parents' Best Entertainment System for Families, and has received RedDot, IDEA, and Core77 international design awards. Nex Playground is also kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, highlighting the company's firm stance on privacy and safety for kids and families. To learn more, visit or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook.
Business Wire
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Nex and Zumba Announce Partnership to Bring Fitness Fun from the Studio to the Living Room
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nex, the leading motion technology and entertainment company, today announced a partnership with Zumba ®, the global dance-fitness phenomenon, that will make physical fitness enjoyable, accessible and engaging for people of all ages and abilities. This partnership will allow us to expand the Zumba experience beyond the studio, making it more accessible and engaging for families. Share Launching this August on Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving, Nex and Zumba will be introducing a first-of-its-kind fitness experience that combines immersive motion tracking with gamified scoring and progression. Developed with Zumba's globally recognized brand and content, this title will bring the studio experience to living rooms everywhere as a part of the ongoing partnership between the brands. This partnership highlights that Nex's breakout product, Nex Playground, goes beyond kids' games to become a true lifestyle choice, weaving active play into families' daily routine. 'Our partnership with Zumba is all about bringing their world-class dance-fitness experience into living rooms everywhere,' said David Lee, co-founder and CEO of Nex. 'This collaboration is about more than just exercise–it's about creating joyful, shared moments that get the whole family moving together. At Nex, we're always developing new experiences with our full community in mind–because healthy screentime isn't just for kids, it's for everyone.' 'This partnership will allow us to expand the Zumba experience beyond the studio, making it more accessible and engaging for families,' said Carolina Moraes, Chief Marketing Officer of Zumba. 'At Zumba, we want to make exercise feel less like a chore and more like a fun, social activity. By combining our infectious rhythms and easy-to-follow choreography with Nex's innovative motion technology, we're transforming how people of all ages experience fitness and fun at home!' The new fitness experience, available exclusively on Nex Playground, will let users unlock new songs, styles, and dance moves while progressing through increasingly challenging routines. By combining Zumba's engaging content with Nex Playground's advanced AI motion tracking technology, this partnership will offer the best at-home Zumba ® experience yet. With Nex's focus on simple setup, reliable tracking, and real-time gamified feedback and scoring, Zumba ® on Nex Playground will turn users' workouts into a high-energy dance party, all the while giving them credit for every step and every move. Nex Playground is a controller-free console designed for families with young kids, making active, communal play more accessible and engaging than ever. Fully motion-powered gameplay means body movements are used rather than controllers, getting players to get off the couch and making physical activity fun for all ages. Additionally, Nex Playground is kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, with no internet connectivity, online interactions, ads, and in-game purchases, making it a standout family gaming option. All data stays local to the device, and the system comes with a built-in camera cover, highlighting Nex's commitment to privacy and safety. The company just met a major milestone of selling over 200,000 units, and Nex Playground is gaining serious traction as a top choice for family gaming. Families interested in purchasing Nex Playground can find the console on Amazon as well as in Best Buy ®, Target ® and Walmart ® online and select retail stores nationwide. Store availability can be found at About Nex Nex is helping families reconnect with the joy of movement through fun, social, and interactive content that's accessible to all ages. Its award-winning Nex Playground active play system launched in December 2023, is designed in California, manufactured by Skyworth, a leader in home entertainment, and is powered by an Amlogic premium AI chip. With Nex Playground, cutting-edge AI and computer vision technologies are used to merge digital and physical worlds, immersing players in the experience using their natural body movement. Games range from original sports and fitness titles to educational games and titles in collaboration with Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, Fruit Ninja, and more. Since its founding, Nex has been recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, TIME's Best Inventions, Parents' Best Entertainment System for Families, and has received RedDot, IDEA, and Core77 international design awards. Nex Playground is also kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, highlighting the company's firm stance on privacy and safety for kids and families. To learn more, visit or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook. About Zumba Fitness, LLC Founded in 2001, Zumba is the largest branded dance fitness company in the world – reporting more than 15 million weekly participants, in 200,000 locations, across 185 countries. Zumba ® blends world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography for an effective workout that empowers participants to become their best selves – mind, body and soul. In addition to its original Zumba program, the company offers 10 Zumba specialty classes – from aquatic-based to those specifically designed for active older adults and children. In 2016, Zumba launched its first non-dance, HIIT workout STRONG Nation ®, where music acts as the main motivator. In 2023, Zumba launched CIRCL Mobility ®, a revolutionary new program designed to unlock the body's full potential through flexibility, breathwork, and mobility exercises. The Zumba ® lifestyle is rounded out by the company's many consumer product offerings, including video games, VR +MR experiences, original music, activewear and footwear, and interactive Fitness-Concert™ events. For more information about Zumba's programs and products, or to find a live class, visit Follow us on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nex Playground Announces Summer of Fun Game Lineup Featuring New Games With Zumba and Sesame Workshop
Six new motion games continue Nex's mission to provide healthy, affordable, and accessible play solutions for kids to move more and bond with friends and family SAN FRANCISCO, June 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nex, the leading motion technology and entertainment company, today announced its Summer 2025 game lineup for Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving together. Headlining the slate are two standout partnerships: a delicious and playful puzzle adventure starring Sesame Street's Cookie Monster and a high-energy fitness experience created in collaboration with Zumba®. Together with four additional titles spanning sports, fantasy, and trivia, the lineup builds on Nex Playground's growing catalog of motion games that promote healthy, joyful, and communal active play for everyone in the family. With school out and warmer weather coming, kids and families will enjoy having a variety of indoor activities they can play all summer long. Nex Playground is keeping kids moving this summer with a fresh lineup of games: Sesame Street's Cookie Monster's Cookie Factory – Join Cookie Monster in a fun-filled puzzle adventure. Players take on cookie-themed challenges focused on sorting, pattern recognition, and hand-eye coordination. Team up and work together to solve sweet puzzles and help Cookie Monster keep the nummie, nummie treats under control! Zumba – A first-of-its-kind Zumba® experience that combines immersive motion tracking with gamified scoring and progression. Unlock new songs, styles, and dance moves while progressing through increasingly challenging routines. Developed in collaboration with Zumba's globally renowned brand, this innovative title brings the energy and excitement of the studio straight to your living room. Brainy Inc. – Step into the fast-paced world of a factory floor, where you play as a robot in the final stages of assembly. Before earning your place outside the factory, you'll face a series of challenging tests packed with brain teasers and tricky questions. Outsmart the competition, rack up points, and prove your brilliance to claim the title of the smartest robot at Brainy Inc! Mingle – A vibrant matching game from Cookiecrayon, the creators of Nex Playground's Aeon Guard. Featuring quirky characters and a relaxing pace, the game brings a laid-back charm to the summer lineup. Homerun Heroes: Starstrikers – A third-person baseball batting game. Players swing to strike home runs, smash targets, and unlock a variety of costumes and bats to win the ultimate title of Starstrikers. This game features both 1v1 and 2v2 player modes, so no one's sitting on the bench. Sword Slash Adventure – A storybook-inspired action game where players dive into a whimsical, magical world, battling a variety of monsters to unlock new worlds and engage in boss battles. An evolution of Nex Labs' original Sword Slash title, this expanded adventure includes new boss battles and equipment upgrades. "We're looking forward to expanding Nex Playground's game library with this summer's diverse and creative lineup," said David Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Nex. "From educational puzzles and trivia challenges to sports titles and our first-ever Zumba experience, Nex Playground has the ideal lineup to help keep kids and families stay active throughout the summer. We're committed to building games that resonate with our community, and will continue to build our platform to focus on entertainment that is accessible to the whole family." Nex Playground is a controller-free console designed for families with young kids, making active, communal play more accessible and engaging than ever. Fully motion-powered gameplay means body movements are used rather than controllers, getting players to get off the couch and making physical activity fun for all ages. Additionally, Nex Playground is kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, with no internet connectivity, online interactions, ads, and in-game purchases, making it a standout family gaming option. All data stays local to the device, and the system comes with a built-in camera cover, highlighting Nex's commitment to privacy and safety. After a strong first year at retail in 2024 selling over 200,000 units to date, Nex Playground is gaining serious traction as a top choice for family gaming. Families interested in purchasing Nex Playground can find the console on Amazon as well as in Best Buy®, Target® and Walmart® online and select retail stores nationwide. Store availability can be found at The new summer games will be progressively released on Nex Playground starting this July and will be included in the Play Pass content subscription bundle for families, which is sold separately and can easily be added anytime. To learn more about Nex Playground, visit About NexNex is helping families reconnect with the joy of movement through fun, social, and interactive content that's accessible to all ages. Its award-winning Nex Playground active play system launched in December 2023, is designed in California, manufactured by Skyworth, a leader in home entertainment, and is powered by an Amlogic premium AI chip. With Nex Playground, cutting-edge AI and computer vision technologies are used to merge digital and physical worlds, immersing players in the experience using their natural body movement. Games range from original sports and fitness titles, to educational games and titles in collaboration with Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, Fruit Ninja and more. Since its founding, Nex has been recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, TIME's Best Inventions, Parents' Best Entertainment System for Families, and has received RedDot, IDEA, and Core77 international design awards. Nex Playground is also kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, highlighting the company's firm stance on privacy and safety for kids and families. To learn more, visit or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook. View source version on Contacts BerlinRosen for Nexnex@
