The PureWow100 Score

TOTAL: 90/100

The PureWow100 is a scale our editors use to vet new products and services, so you know what's worth the spend—and what's total hype. Learn more about our process here.

It’s every family’s quagmire: Kids want to play video games, parents want them up and moving. So many devices claim to do just that…and then they slowly disappear (RIP, Kinect, Nintendo Wii and Wii U, just to name a few). Or their tracking is so laggy that you soon grow frustrated with attempting to play, and they gather dust until you finally haul it to your nearest Best Buy tech recycling center.

So, when I heard parents rave about Nex Playground while vetting toys for PureWow’s 2024 Happy Kid Awards, I was skeptical. But the buzz kept building about this Rubik’s Cube-sized device, which connects to your TV and uses a camera and AI technology to track you as you move, so you feel as if you’re in its games, playing them firsthand. Eventually, I gave in and decided to try it for myself—and I’m so glad I did. Out of the dozens of games I’ve vetted over the past year, it’s become one of my family’s favorites.

Right now, it's the lowest price I've ever seen it listed (down from $249 to $189), thanks to Amazon Prime Day 2025, which runs through July 11, and features savings across all categories, including Prime Day beauty deals and tech sales, just to name a few. You have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of the deal (which, BTW, you can sign up for a 30-day trial to get in on the perks).

Whether you're looking for a boredom buster during the lazy days of summer, or you want to get a head start on your holiday shopping, the splurge is worth it. Need some convincing? Here's my full review, with original photos of the device in action.