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| The Nex Playground price is set to increase on April 1 due to global hardware cost shifts. |
By Juli Scarr
I’ve spent the last few months keeping a very close eye on the Nex Playground. Between tracking the Boxing Week sales at Walmart Canada and putting together a setup guide for new owners, I’ve become the resident expert on this camera-based console.
I’ve recommended it to plenty of parents and fellow teachers because it’s a rare piece of tech that actually gets kids moving without the clutter of extra gear. If you’ve been on the fence, you’ll want to pay attention to some incoming news from the manufacturer.
Nex CEO David Lee recently broke the news to the community that the price for the Nex Playground is going up. Starting April 1, the retail price jumps to $299. It’s important to note that this is a USD price point. We don’t have official word on what the new Canadian sticker price will be yet, but it’s safe to expect a similar hike here at home. The only bit of relief is that the Play Pass subscription cost will stay exactly where it is.
The Hidden Cost Of The AI Boom
It’s rare to see a console get more expensive a year into its life, but the reason makes a lot of sense if you follow the tech industry. Lee explained that the cost of parts like memory and storage has spiked. This isn't just a random fluctuation. The massive push for AI infrastructure across the globe is eating up the supply of these specific components. Big tech firms are buying up all the storage and memory they can find, which leaves smaller companies like Nex in a tough spot.
Nex tried to absorb these costs for the last six months to keep things affordable for families. However, the supply chain issues have reached a point where they have to pass some of that cost onto the buyer to keep the business running.
Budgeting For Active Play This Spring
As a teacher, I love the idea of games that promote movement and coordination. As a parent, I’m less thrilled about a price jump during a time when everything else is getting more expensive. If you were planning to grab one for a birthday or a spring break activity, I’d suggest doing it before the April 1 deadline.
At the current price, it’s a competitive alternative to a Nintendo Switch or a PlayStation 5 for younger kids. Once it hits that $299 USD mark, it becomes a much bigger family investment. You'll still get the same 45 games and the camera-based play, but the entry fee is getting steeper thanks to the global AI race.
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