The Nex Playground has fundamentally disrupted the gaming landscape. During the high-traffic Black Friday weekend in November, this motion-tracking console remarkably outpaced the Xbox in weekly U.S. hardware sales—an achievement that instantly positioned Nex as a major industry contender for 2026.
That level of market momentum usually spells trouble for late-season shoppers, and indeed, those hoping for a pre-Christmas delivery have faced significant hurdles. However, there is a silver lining: inventory is still trickling in, and it is currently possible to secure a Nex Playground that will arrive before the start of the new year.
Industry insiders report that units are being actively replenished at the standard $249.99 MSRP across major outlets, including Amazon and various big-box retail websites. Current shipping estimates for most listings suggest a delivery date around Sunday, Dec. 28.
The sudden spike in popularity was bolstered by a strategic $199 Black Friday price drop. While Microsoft maintained its standard hardware pricing—appearing more focused on its long-term ecosystem than immediate hardware metrics—Nex seized the opportunity to climb the charts. According to Circana data, the console secured top-tier hardware rankings in late November. Projections now suggest the company is on track to sell roughly 600,000 units throughout 2025.
In our hands-on testing earlier this year, we found the Nex Playground to be a standout choice for families. The hardware is a compact, cube-shaped device that utilizes a wide-angle camera to track full-body movement, successfully reviving the active-play spirit of the Wii era without the clunkiness of previous camera-based systems. It is packed with accessible party games, fitness challenges, and licensed content for children, all designed for high-energy sessions. While it isn’t intended to replace a powerhouse like the PlayStation 5, it serves as a brilliant digital arcade and a clever addition to the modern living room.
Predictably, the scarcity has fueled a predatory resale market. eBay listings for the Nex Playground frequently reach double or even triple the retail cost. However, with official retail stock stabilizing intermittently, buyers are strongly encouraged to avoid these inflated prices and wait for authorized restocks.
Of course, this window of availability may close rapidly. Given the sheer volume of inquiries from shoppers looking for a unit this season, these restocked consoles are expected to sell out almost instantly.
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Source: Polygon
