AI has taken toys: This new virtual playground is outselling Xbox consoles this holiday season

The next big holiday toy?

This year, it’s not the next Xbox for tween gamers. It’s an AI-powered toy that’s keeping kids and their parents entertained and moving — for hours.

Nex Playground is a small cube-shaped camera that wants to turn your living room into a bustling theme park, flashing arcade or even a dojo space. The console hooks up to the TV, employing AI to track users’ motion. Kids appear on the screen as their favorite characters. No controllers needed.

While the concept of AI for children may raise alarm to some, Nex Playground promises something safer. Nex says its content is appropriate for all ages, meets strict kidSAFE+ COPPA safety standards and the company never stores motion data in the Cloud.

Reviewers rave it’s a must for “family game night,” dubbing it a “modern version of Wii.” Many shoppers point out that the Nex Playground has helped their families stay active, unlike traditional sedentary video games.

Others have claimed that it is “one of the best kids’ tech purchases” they’ve made, but snagging one at a reasonable price is becoming more difficult.

Nex Playground

When Nex hit the market in 2023, the console was $199. Now, a Nex Playground retails for $250, available at popular retailers like Amazon and Walmart. The console comes with five games, and an additional Play Pass can be purchased for access to the full gaming catalog, which is updated monthly.

The price has surged as more consumers turn to Nex. AND THEY STILL COME IN FAR CHEAPER THAN XBOX? SWITCH?? And this year, sales are also outpacing some popular competitors. According to data from market intelligence firm Circana, sales of the Nex Playground surpassed Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S during the Black Friday shopping week.

It’s not often that Nex offers markdowns, but today the Nex Console is the same price as the Nex Console Bundle, which includes a three-month play pass — a rare opportunity for families to grab the whole setup for a lower cost.

While it won’t arrive until after Christmas, many Nex fans seem to believe it’s a worthy investment for family entertainment all year long. When compared to typical entertainment devices — like tablets or video games — it also may be a healthier choice.

“It is well worth it,” one pleased parent raved. “There is a great variety of games, and they entertained my toddlers for almost an hour and a half. Great screen time alternative. Money well spent and such a great hands-free gaming system investment!”

Everyone seems eager to get their hands on a Nex, and given the current sales trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising to see prices rise in 2026.

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This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.