Kid-Friendly Console Overtakes Xbox in Holiday Sales

The Nex Playground is rapidly gaining popularity, with sales projections suggesting it will sell 600,000 units, achieving four times the sales compared to the previous year.

Initially barely recognized, the Nex Playground has surged to bestseller status, likely influenced by seasonal discounts and a short-lived burst of attention. According to Circana's analysis, it was ranked as the second highest-selling console in the U.S. during the week ending November 22nd, and held third place for the week ending November 28th, a significant leap from not being mentioned in October.

Benefiting from a hefty holiday price cut from $249 to $199, the console's appeal was enhanced, especially since Xbox did not participate in such discount strategies. This affordability could be attractive to parents looking to engage their children in physical activity without the usual quarrels associated with gaming.

An impressive 300,000 units were sold in the brief span leading up to November 22nd. Anticipating 600,000 total sales for this year marks a monumental shift for the company, which wasn't widely acknowledged just a short time ago. Originally, Nex was a company that developed motion-sensing applications for iPhones roughly ten years back and faced potential financial collapse.

Two years prior, the company managed to sell merely 5,000 Playgrounds. Last year's sales improved significantly to about 150,000. With its current trajectory, the small startup now sets an ambitious target of $150 million in sales, potentially turning profitable for the first time.

The overwhelming demand even led to stock shortages, pushing prices higher on resale platforms like eBay. The critical question remains – can Nex sustain this growth trajectory post-holiday season? Although moving 600,000 units is a commendable feat for a new player, it still falls short compared to industry giants.