Nex Playground, a controller-free gaming console aimed at families with young children, is set to feature “How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies” in its growing collection. This cutting-edge motion-sensing game console debuted in early 2024. It integrates advanced motion tracking technology with captivating gameplay and is off to the races selling more than 200,000 units already! Tom Kang, the president of Nex, said in a statement that he was “thrilled” about the acquisition and what it could bring to improve family engagement.
Nex Playground uses motion-sensing technology to give players a full-body gaming experience, ensuring that kids can be active while they play. The digital space includes an amazing library of more than 30 titles. It motivates kids and parents alike to get up, get moving and live healthier lives. An astonishingly high 77% of Nex Playground owners are subscribed to the compatible game service. That emphasizes the intense consumer demand for what the console’s exclusives have provided.
Players will enjoy a unique gaming experience featuring up to six different maps inspired by iconic locations from the “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise. Plus, players have the ability to choose their dragon companion, allowing for greater personalization in their gameplay.
Nex Playground works in both single-player mode and two-player mode, so households can foster cooperation or rivalries between family members while developing their graphic design skills. Kang emphasized the importance of making gaming an active experience for families, stating, “Who doesn’t want to fly? You can choose a dragon. You can shoot fireballs. You can battle other dragons. And it’s multiplayer. Two players can play with co-op mode or against each other.”
Kang wants Nex Playground to be “the next evolution of the Wii.” He stressed that the device is meeting an unmet need in the market. It brings fun and friendly technology to consumers at an attractive price. The company’s dedication to only creating safe gaming experiences for kids is exemplified in their stringent content approval process.
Beyond its motion-sensing capabilities, Nex Playground does away with cumbersome controllers or sensors altogether. “It’s all at one place, connected through HDMI, and your body is the controller,” Kang explained. With this new hands-on approach, configuration is made incredibly easy. More importantly, it allows the user experience—which is about introducing physical interaction to gaming—to take center stage.
“We’re stepping into a void created by them leading the market with better technology and accessible pricing,” Kang remarked, referring to major competitors in the gaming industry. The Nex Playground recently changed their pricing baseline from $200 to $250. While this adjustment accounts for the tariffs instituted during Trump’s administration, the company reaffirms its commitment to providing value to its customers.
The Nex Playground is now available at all 6,000+ Walmart stores and on Amazon. Perhaps most importantly, this isolated nature creates a golden opportunity for families to seek out intentional, enriching forms of entertainment! Kang pointed to the company’s dedication to growing its library with both licensed INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES and original content. “We’re very pleased with the performance and how the games are performing,” he stated. “Long term, we want to continue to bring both a mixture of licensed IP as well as original IP to the platform.”
The gaming community is already buzzing with anticipation for “How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies.” David Lee, a representative involved in developing the title, described it as showcasing “the unique way riders can get off the couch and move their body together in some fire-breathing fun.” As you can imagine, this sentiment goes hand in hand with Nex Playground’s mission to inspire active play.
Kang further elaborated on this goal by stating, “We connect almost everybody, right? We connect families and friends through active play. Our mission is to get people moving through active play through motion.”