Is the Nex Playground Worth It? Our Honest Answer After 1 Year
After owning the Nex Playground for over a year, I’m here to give you the real deal. The short answer is: yes, it’s still worth it. But let’s dive into why, what’s changed, and how the subscription model plays into it all.
Quick note up front: this isn’t sponsored — I bought the Nex and the subscription myself. Everything here is just my honest take after a year of real use.
What’s Changed in the Nex Playground?
The Nex Playground has evolved over the past year, and the biggest change is the subscription model. While the price of the device itself has gone up from $200 to $299, the subscription remains the same — $89 per year. For me, that’s still a great deal, and I’m happy to pay it.
The Subscription Model — Is It Worth It?
This is the number one question I get, and honestly, it’s the most debated part of the Nex Playground. Between the default games, the subscription library, and the Nex Labs mini-games, you’re already past 40 games today — with seven more arriving this summer. That’s a lot for a yearly fee, but let’s break it down.
- Default Games: 5
- Subscription Games: ~36
- Nex Labs Games: 6
- Coming This Summer: 7
The subscription includes a mix of games for all ages, from young kids (like Peppa) to older kids and teens (like the challenging Ninja Turtle games). There are also party games, arcade games, music and dance games, and even health and fitness games.
I’ve seen older kids, even into their teens, enjoy the games because some of them are harder than they look. For my son, who’s six, the games are still fun and engaging, and he plays them regularly.
What Are the Games Like?
Let’s talk about the games themselves. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect:
Default Games (No Subscription Needed)
Five games come included out of the box, no subscription required:
- Fruit Ninja
- Go Keeper
- Starri
- Party Fowl
- Whac-a-Mole
Subscription Games
The subscription unlocks the bulk of the library, including big licensed properties your kids will recognize:
- How to Train Your Dragon
- Care Bears
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Kung Fu Panda
- Barbie — rated 6+, and harder than it looks
- Peppa — my daughter was enjoying this at age two
- Candyland — one of my son’s current favorites; he loves all the running and jumping
- Mirrorama — a party game that works like Instagram filters; my daughter loves it
They span every category: arcade, music and dance, party, puzzle (the hardest of the bunch), sports, and health and fitness — the fitness ones, like the Zumba-style workouts, are what I play most.
Nex Labs (Mini-Games)
On top of the main library you get six Nex Labs mini-games — shorter, often trivia-flavored. Geo Darts has you throwing darts at a map to learn geography (one of the few games where you keep the remote in hand), and Sword Slash is a simple, satisfying slasher.
Coming This Summer
Seven more games are on the way, including Sword Slash Adventure — a level-up RPG I’m looking forward to — and a new baseball game.
The Facebook Group — A Community Like No Other
One of the biggest perks of the Nex Playground is the Facebook group. It’s a place where you can ask questions, share experiences, and get direct feedback from the company. The CEO and other reps are active, and they truly listen to user concerns. This kind of community is rare, especially for a tech product like this.
Why Not Just Get a Switch or Wii?
I get it — many people say, “Why not just get a Switch or a Wii?” But here’s the thing: the Nex Playground is different. While the Switch is great, it’s more about screen time — you’re sitting in front of a screen, playing games with a remote or controller. The Nex Playground, on the other hand, is all about physical activity. Most of the games require you to move, run, jump, and use your body — it’s active screen time.
I own a Nintendo Switch, and I’ve played games on it. But the Nex Playground games are more engaging and more fun for kids. They’re not just games — they’re experiences that involve your whole body.
Final Verdict
After a year of using the Nex Playground, I can confidently say: it’s still worth it.
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Pros:
- Over 40+ games for all ages.
- Active, physical play that keeps kids moving.
- A supportive community.
- No need to buy individual games.
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Cons:
- The subscription model isn’t for everyone.
- Some games are only fun during parties.
- The price of the device has gone up.
And here’s the math that settles it for me: at $89 a year, the subscription works out to under $7.50 a month for the entire library — every game, no buying titles one by one. For a single family movie night, you spend more than that. When you weigh it that way, the value is hard to argue with.
If you’re looking for a way to keep your kids active and entertained, the Nex Playground is a solid choice. If you’re not a fan of subscriptions, it might not be for you. But for the right family, it’s a win.
Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to purchase.
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