Discover Nex Playground, the Revolutionary AI-Powered Console Poised to Surpass 1 Million Sales by 2026

Success rarely happens overnight. Although the Nex Playground console has recently gained widespread attention due to its phenomenal Black Friday sales, its creator, Nex Team, has been working tirelessly for eight years. Launched in December 2023, the console features an AI-powered camera that tracks user movements, enabling players to interact with its collection of family-friendly games. Currently, it is only available in the US and Canada. In 2023, Nex Team shipped 5,000 units, and the following year, it sold 150,000 units after being stocked by major US retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. Thanks to impressive sales in 2025, with over 635,000 consoles sold, the company is approaching 800,000 units sold to date and expects to reach 1 million sales in the first half of 2026. However, due to extremely high demand, the console is currently challenging to find. Nex Team was founded in 2017 by a group of Apple veterans, including David Lee, who previously sold his startup, EditGrid, to Apple in 2008. Initially, the company focused on the AI-powered basketball training app HomeCourt, which gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to the development of Active Arcade, a collection of motion-based games that became a hit in Asian markets. After noticing that users who connected their phones or tablets to a TV to play Active Arcade had a significantly higher retention rate, Lee and his team realized they had created something desirable but for the wrong platform. This led to the development of the Nex Playground console. Creating a console in a market where major platform holders seem to be shifting their focus away from hardware may seem unconventional. However, Lee explains that the decision was made after an unsuccessful search for a smart TV that could power their ambitions, leading them to conclude that a console was the best option. The Nex Playground features a unique blend of older industry DNA, combining elements of the Ouya console and Microsoft's Kinect. It stands out from previous attempts at motion-controlled gaming by utilizing AI technology and a simple RGB camera to understand user movements, eliminating the need for handheld sensors or headsets. One of the console's key advantages is its relatively low cost, with an RRP of $249, which drops to $199 during promotional periods. This affordability is crucial, as the company aims to serve families. Lee emphasizes the importance of keeping the price affordable, citing the cost savings of using a single camera to track multiple players and a simple remote control. The company has also made conscious decisions about its hardware capabilities, choosing not to compete with high-end consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Switch. Instead, they focused on creating a console with roughly PS3-level capabilities, which can still deliver great immersive games. Another key lesson Nex Team learned from previous console successes, particularly those targeting family audiences like the Wii, is the importance of a sustainable business model. To address this, they introduced an $89-per-year subscription called Play Pass, which allows them to continuously innovate and provide value to their customers. The subscription-based model has proven successful, with many users open to this type of business model. Lee explains that it's a simple, honest approach that aligns with parents' values, allowing them to provide their children with a consistent stream of new games without incurring additional costs. Most games on the Nex Playground are exclusive to the platform, with half of the titles released in the last year developed through second-party deals. The company has been receiving increased interest from studios, including major game developers, and is expanding its staff to support these new partnerships. Nex Team's approach to working with developers is centered around collaboration and mutual growth. Lee believes in finding developers who share their values and are passionate about creating games for families. The company's president, Thomas Kang, adds that by partnering with developers who understand their vision, they can create better products that serve their target audience. The Nex Playground offers a diverse range of games, including new titles like Mirrorarma, NexPets, and Starri, as well as licensed IP such as Bluey, Barbie, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The company believes that licensed IP has played a significant role in the console's success, as it helps build credibility with parents and provides kids with familiar characters they love. One notable partnership is with the National Hockey League (NHL), which is growing, and the company is in discussions with other sports leagues to make their sports more accessible to kids and families. Nex Team boasts an impressive lineup of investors, including actors Simu Liu and Will Smith, footballer Thierry Henry, and the NBA. However, the company is not currently seeking further investment, as it is approaching a self-sustainable state. After a remarkable 2025, Nex Team has ambitious plans for 2026, including expanding the Playground to Europe and eventually launching in Asian markets. The company's strategy for expansion is customer-focused, with a measured pace to ensure that content and UI are localized for each market. Nex Team expects the Playground to surpass 1 million sales during the first half of 2026, but its CEO, David Lee, remains focused on serving customers better and establishing a strong relationship with every family they serve. With a long-term vision, Lee is patient and committed to building a console that can earn its place in every living room worldwide. As Kang concludes, with 1.8 billion living rooms with TVs, they have a long way to go, and they're just getting started.