Nex Playground Console Promises Active Play for Children
The new console integrates physical movement into gameplay, aiming to be an alternative to passive screen time.
The Nex Playground console is set to launch on June 22 in the UK and Ireland, priced at £269 (€319). It aims to offer children an active alternative to traditional, passive digital entertainment, addressing growing concerns about screen time habits.
The console requires players to interact with the television screen through physical movement. While users are still looking at a screen, the design intends to incorporate some healthy activity alongside gameplay. Early user feedback suggests children engage with the console for sessions ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, often using it as a transition period or for structured play.
Parents have noted that while the Nex Playground may increase screen time, its interactive nature is more engaging than passive viewing. The starter pack includes games that primarily involve arm movements. However, more advanced games, including a rhythm game and a set of mini-games, incorporate full-body movements.
The console's "Health & Fitness" category within its Play Pass subscription offers guided workouts, such as Zumba sessions led by an on-screen instructor. While precise motion tracking accuracy is not detailed, these sessions are designed to encourage more physical movement than sedentary activities.