Nex, the motion tech and entertainment company, and the National Hockey League (NHL) today announced the launch of NHL Puck Rush, the first-ever sports league title for Nex Playground.
Like the old Nintendo Wii, Nex uses your body as a game controller, and it is aimed at getting families into motion and into better fitness through play. To make the console more accessible, Nex Playground will be expanding retail availability into Canada later this month. That makes sense, given the popularity of hockey in Canada.
“Partnering with the National Hockey League to bring NHL Puck Rush to fans marks an important milestone as we expand into Canadian retailers,” said David Lee, CEO and co-founder of Nex, in a statement. “In Canada, hockey is more than a sport – it’s part of Canadian culture. Nex Playground was designed to create experiences that bring people together in active, engaging ways, and with NHL Puck Rush, we’re giving fans a whole new way to connect with the game and their favorite teams.”
In NHL Puck Rush, players connect with their favorite NHL teams through a dynamic, interactive game that syncs directly with the excitement of each NHL season. Players take on the challenge of scoring as many goals as possible in a limited timeframe. Designed for ages six and up, NHL Puck Rush delivers an intense, full-body gameplay experience that combines physical activity, competitive spirit, and NHL fandom in one immersive motion game.
“The NHL is partnering with Nex Playground to offer kids an imaginative and safe way to play hockey, right in their living room,” said David Lehanski, NHL executive vice president of business development & innovation, in a statement. “In a time where playing sports can come with significant time commitments and pressure, we’re excited to release a style of fun, casual play where hockey families – alongside those who have yet to experience the thrill of the NHL, can blast slapshots without needing a hockey stick.”
NHL Puck Rush will launch with the below features, with regular programming to be introduced over time, including for tentpole NHL events.
● Fan-Favorite NHL Teams – NHL Puck Rush allows players to virtually support and compete on behalf of their favorite NHL teams. By earning points during play, fans contribute to their team’s overall standing on the game’s leaderboard, fueling rivalries
throughout the season.
● Exclusive In-Game Items – During gameplay, players can unlock their favorite team’s
jerseys, sticks, pucks, mascots, and more as they progress and earn experience points
based on performance.
● Leaderboards and Community – NHL Puck Rush taps into fans’ competitive nature
with NHL team and match leaderboards, tracking wins across all 32 NHL teams and
ranking players for individual matchups.
Fans can experience NHL Puck Rush on Nex Playground in person from Oct. 7-9 at the NHL Shop NYC flagship store during store operating hours. NHL Shop visitors can receive 20% off the Nex Playground device when purchasing from the Nex Playground online store (terms apply).
Nex Playground is a controller-free console designed for families with young kids, making
active, communal play more accessible and engaging than ever. Fully motion-powered
gameplay means body movements are used rather than controllers, getting players to get off the couch and making physical activity fun for all ages.
“We’re about active play. And so our first licensed game we’re launching is with the NHL, National Hockey League,” said Tom Kang, president of Nex, in an interview with GamesBeat. “Our franchise pillars are going to be around skills training for youth. This is an easy way to introduce them to the game. And so we’re partnering with the NHL to use their marks and logos and stadiums to introduce hockey skills as our first iteration of our sports franchise.”
Additionally, Nex Playground is kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, with no online interactions, ads, and in-game purchases, making it a standout family gaming option. All motion-tracking data stays local to the device, and the system comes with a built-in camera cover, highlighting Nex’s commitment to privacy and safety. After selling over 250,000 units to date, Nex Playground is gaining serious traction as a top choice for family gaming.
Families interested in purchasing Nex Playground in the U.S. can find the system on Amazon as well as in Best Buy, Target, Sam’s Club, and Walmart online and select retail stores nationwide.
Store availability can be found here.