Nex Playground Raises Price to $299 Amid Component Costs

Nex Playground, the family-oriented motion console that attracted attention after reportedly outselling an Xbox during last year’s holiday season, announced a price increase to $299 effective April 1. The hike is $50 above its earlier entry price, a move the company attributes to rising component and supply-chain costs.

In a statement posted to the Nex Playground site, co-founder and CEO David Lee pointed to significant cost increases in key parts such as DDR memory and eMMC storage over the past six months. The company also referenced broader industry pressures: expanding AI infrastructure demand, logistics expenses, and general inflation across electronics supply chains.

For consumers, the price rise puts Nex Playground squarely in a more expensive bracket for budget-friendly, family-targeted gaming hardware. The device blends motion controls and family-friendly content, positioning itself as an alternative to more traditional consoles. Still, the new price narrows the gap between ultra-budget dedicated devices and mainstream consoles that often bundle more powerful hardware or expansive game libraries.

Nex says current orders placed before the price change will be honored at the lower rate, and it reiterated commitments to software updates and new content. The company framed the adjustment as necessary to maintain hardware quality and continued development amid volatile input costs.

If you’re weighing a purchase, consider whether the motion-control features and family-focused library justify the new sticker price compared with competing consoles and handhelds. For now, Nex Playground remains an intriguing choice for families seeking a different kind of living-room gaming experience, but it will cost a little more to get into that ecosystem as of April.