Wii and Kinect Games Find New Home on Nex Playground Motion Console

The Nex Playground, a motion-controlled console launched in the UK in March 2026 and heading to Germany this year, is becoming an unexpected second life for classic Wii and Kinect titles. The boxy system, which has already sold over a million units globally, is drawing strong interest from major publishers looking to resurrect motion-focused games from those platforms.

Nex Team president Thomas Kang told GamesIndustry.biz that publisher interest has been significant. "Every major publisher has approached us to review their old Kinect catalogue, Wii catalogue, and also to consider their IPs," Kang said. "We may be able to introduce these IPs so that younger folks can get introduced to their IPs sooner."

The strategy is already yielding results. Freefall Racers, a 2013 Kinect title, launched on the Nex Playground and attracted 150,000 families in its first month. CEO David Lee predicted the game could reach half a million families within its first year on the system, likely far exceeding its original Kinect performance.

The Nex Playground's subscription model appears to be a key factor in its appeal to publishers. Rather than per-game purchases, owners pay a monthly fee for full access to the game library, creating predictable revenue and encouraging engagement across a broader catalog.

Nex Team has also announced that Sonic Forces: Rival Rush and Pac-Man are coming to the platform, positioning these titles as experiences for both younger and older players. Lee emphasized the company's focus on creating family-friendly experiences. "Grandparents and parents can play retro games," he said. "With the new mode, they can play together and share a live introduction. Nex has been intentional about creating these opportunities."

The motion-control focus of the Nex Playground makes it a natural fit for games originally designed around motion inputs. However, the platform has faced challenges typical of hardware releases without an established brand. Lee noted that the company prioritizes working with quality studios to build high-quality games for the platform alongside support from indie studios.

The company did face a setback earlier this year when component supply issues forced a price increase from $249 to $299. Despite this, momentum appears strong, with publishers actively approaching Nex Team about bringing their catalogs to the system.