A brand new video game console, the Nex PlaygroundThe PS5 is gearing up for release in the United Kingdom after it sold out. The motion-based console will compete with consoles like Sony's PS5 and Nintendo's Switch 2 with the goal of keeping kids active and moving around while gaming.
While the gaming console market has been dominated by Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft in recent years, many other companies have tried their hand at console hardware. Sega was once a hardware titan of the gaming industry, reaching its peak in the 1990s with the Sega Genesis. The 1970s and early 1980s saw several companies jump on the gaming bandwagon during the Atari 2600's heyday, such as Mattel's Intellivision, ColecoVision, and Magnavox's Odyssey. Now, a brand-new company is stepping into the console market, but not what fans expected.
It's officially time to delay the next generation of PlayStation and Xbox consoles
Recent news proves that the current economy cannot handle the releases of the PS6 and Xbox Helix in 2027, without major changes.
Nex Playground is releasing in the UK
American tech company Nex is officially rolling out its Nex Playground in the United Kingdom and Ireland on June 22. The console focuses on motion-based gameplay similar to Xbox's Kinect camera and Nintendo Wii, aiming to keep kids active while playing games. The console includes a starter pack of five games that all players will be able to access for free, while the console's subscription service offers another 60 games for 45 GBP (around $60) per quarter, or 90 GBP (around $119) per year. Nex also includes some big-name tie-ins for many of the games on the field, such as beloved brands Peppa Pig, the blueand Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Nex Playground will retail for 269 GBP (approximately $357), or 319 EUR, in the UK and Ireland upon its launch.
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While the Nex Playground is getting its first release in the UK and Ireland, the console has already made a big splash in other territories. Nex Playground rolled out the PS5 during the 2025 holiday shopping season, the week before Black Friday. Nex Playground continues to secure major brands for its new games, adding games based on it How to train your dragon and Care bear in its “Spring of Fun” update in early 2025. The console is also kidSAFE+ certified in compliance with the US Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, ensuring strong protection for children.
Nex Playground aims to provide a safe play experience as child safety has become a hot-button issue throughout the industry. Roblox One of the most notable games involved in the push for greater security, being the subject of more and more lawsuits and adding many new security features. Age verification has also seen significant growth in recent years, with companies such as Steam, Discord, and PlayStation requiring players to verify their age.
While the Nex Playground doesn't compare to juggernauts like the PS5 or Switch 2, the console has a solid foundation to build on. The subscription-based model for games makes the price of entry significantly lower than that of most modern consoles, with new games typically priced above $60 or $70. Recognizable brands coming to the console will help draw fans to the console, with more popular brands coming each year. Nex Playground has sought to secure a niche for itself within the gaming industry, which has already been proven with its initial sales performance.
Source: BBC
