Nintendo, Sonic, BTS, and more drive this week's gaming news. A reimagined 'Star Fox' relaunches while Nex Playground lands partnerships. This week's gaming news is packed with major franchise expansions, platform updates, and fan-focused experiences. Nintendo leads with a reimagined Star Fox and a slate of new events and releases, while Nex Playground continues its rapid growth through partnerships with BTS and Sonic the Hedgehog. Elsewhere, Yahoo Games debuts a new daily word puzzle, Neopets enters Fortnite, Clash of Clans heads to San Diego with an immersive live experience, and Wild River Games prepares to bring the Horse Club franchise to the Wild West this fall. Star Fox leads Nintendo's latest wave of releases and events. Nintendo's latest update is headlined by the launch of Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2, a reimagining of the Nintendo 64 classic featuring updated visuals, voiced cutscenes, an orchestral soundtrack, and online multiplayer. The company also released Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition for Switch 2 and rolled out Deltarune Chapter 5 as a free update for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 players. Beyond new games, Nintendo is expanding its event and subscription offerings with a Star Fox-themed Tetris 99 Maximus Cup, a limited-time Pokémon Pokopia event centered on Jirachi, and an ongoing promotion that grants Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members an extra month of service with the purchase or redemption of a 12-month membership. Nintendo Music subscribers can also access new playlists featuring tracks from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Nintendo 64 favorites, and classic Mario titles. Additional releases this week include Citizen Sleeper - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Destroy All Humans!, R-Type Tactics I - II Cosmos, and dozens of indie titles across Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Nintendo is also kicking off its Summer Sale, offering discounts on select digital games and DLC through July 8. Sonic the Hedgehog speeds onto Nex Playground. Nex and SEGA are teaming up to bring Sonic the Hedgehog to Nex Playground later this year, marking the platform's first Sonic the Hedgehog experience. Developed by SEGA's HARDlight Studios, the game reimagines the franchise's fast-paced running action as a motion-controlled experience that encourages players to get up and move. The title is being released as part of Sonic's 35th anniversary celebration and was developed in response to demand from the Nex Playground community. Using the platform's controller-free motion-tracking technology, the new title adapts gameplay from the popular mobile series into a family-focused active play experience designed for repeat play sessions. The game launches through Nex Playground's Play Pass subscription service later this year. The announcement follows a period of growth for Nex, including its expansion into the U.K. and Ireland. Yahoo Games launches daily word puzzle Circuits. Yahoo Games introduced Circuits this week, a new daily word puzzle developed by Puzzmo. The game challenges players to connect words to create common compound phrases, with each answer linking to the next through a network of related clues. Players can use rechargeable hints called "bolts" to help solve puzzles and improve their scores. Like all Yahoo Games titles, Circuits is free to play on mobile and desktop with no downloads required. Neopets brings Aisha to Fortnite as first Sidekick. Neopets teams up with Fortnite to bring Aisha into the game as the first-ever Neopets Sidekick. Available in the Fortnite Shop from July 2-9, the Sidekick features both classic Aisha and Alien Aisha styles, along with a Nosh-o-Matic Emote inspired by Neopian treats. Players can also earn Sidekick Points in compatible experiences to unlock additional rewards. The collaboration marks Neopets' latest expansion beyond its virtual pet platform, introducing one of its most recognizable characters to a new generation of players. Nex Playground teams up with BTS for interactive music experience. Nex is partnering with HYBE to bring a BTS-themed experience to Nex Playground later this year. The collaboration marks the first artist-focused version of Starri, Nex Playground's motion-based music game, giving fans a new way to engage with BTS through interactive gameplay. Powered by Nex Playground's controller-free motion-tracking technology, the experience will transform BTS music into full-body challenges designed for players of all ages. Nex says the collaboration builds on the popularity of Starri while expanding the platform's music offerings and creating a new way for families and fans to connect through movement and play. The partnership is the latest addition to Nex Playground's growing library of more than 60 active-play games and experiences. HYBE says the collaboration represents a new opportunity to bring music, gaming, and fandom together, while Nex views the project as an important step in evolving Starri into a broader entertainment franchise. Clash of Clans brings Clash for the Stache experience to San Diego. Clash of Clans is heading to San Diego this summer with Clash for the Stache, an interactive challenge-room experience that runs July 15-Sept. 7 at Seaport Headquarters in Seaport Village. The live activation invites fans to step into a real-world Clash village and help recover the Barbarian's stolen mustache through a series of physical, puzzle-based challenges inspired by the hit mobile game. The experience will also feature themed snacks, exclusive merchandise, giveaways, photo opportunities, and immersive environments designed to bring the world of Clash of Clans to life. Timed to overlap with San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), the attraction casts visitors as heroes working alongside the Archer Queen to defeat the Goblin King and reclaim the village. Tickets go on sale July 1 through Fever. 'Horse Club Ride West' gallops onto consoles this fall. Wild River Games is expanding its Horse Club series with Horse Club Ride West, a new open-world adventure launching Oct. 9 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Inspired by the Schleich Horse Club brand, the game shifts the action to a Western-themed setting filled with deserts, canyons, abandoned mines, hot springs, and other locations to explore. Players join the Horse Club characters as they tackle story missions, side quests, tournaments, and mini-games, including archery and campfire guitar sessions. The game introduces several new features to the series, including an overhauled riding system, improved horse animations, riding mechanics, and six horses with unique traits that can be upgraded over time. More than 100 customization options for riders and horses will also be available, allowing players to personalize their experience. Wild River Games says the title features a visual style that more closely reflects the original Horse Club illustrations while offering longtime fans and newcomers a fresh adventure in a Western-inspired world. Katherine hill. Katherine is a writer and editor. She has more than a decade of experience crafting engaging content and managing editorial projects. She spends an inordinate amount of time looking for rare Care Bears and baseball jerseys online.

Nex and Sega team up to release Sonic speed on Nex Playground in Q4. Jun 24, 2026 - 06:35 Nex, maker of Nex Playground motion-sensing game console, announced it is working with Sega to bring an active play game Sonic Forces to the Nex Playground in Q4. Driven by strong demand from the Nex Playground community, this upcoming title introduces Sonic the Hedgehog to the platform in celebration of the franchise's 35th anniversary, honoring one of gaming's most beloved and internationally recognized characters and his enduring legacy with fans around the world. Nex has been growing fast as the "fourth game console" in the home and it is expanding to new territories around the world. But most of its titles have been internally developed to date. This partnership marks a significant moment for Nex Playground, building on milestone momentum for the platform this year, including international expansion to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, and being named one of TIME100's Most Influential Companies. "The introduction of a globally recognized character such as Sonic the Hedgehog to Nex Playground represents a significant achievement for its community; it further advances its mission to connect families and friends through active play while ensuring the continuous delivery of fresh content," said David Lee, CEO of Nex, in a statement. "Sonic Forces (Working Title) translates the popular mobile title of the franchise into a truly physical experience, giving families a new way to move and play together." "Sonic the Hedgehog is a widely loved character, and this partnership with Nex Playground is a natural extension that brings the franchise's core values of speed and fun into the active play category. The team at HARDlight Studios is leveraging their deep expertise to deliver an incredibly engaging experience with Sonic Forces (Working Title), offering a fantastic new way for families to connect with the Blue Blur," said Takashi Iizuka, Sonic creative officer at Sega of America, in a statement. Sonic Forces (Working Title) reimagines the iconic running and action gameplay generations of players know and love, offering an endlessly replayable, physically active experience on the Sonic Forces (Working Title) is being built by SEGA's HARDlight Studios, the acclaimed team behind globally successful Sonic mobile titles including Sonic Dream Team, Sonic Dash, and Sonic Forces. HARDlight brings deep expertise in delivering polished, accessible Sonic gameplay to millions of players, now adapted and reimagined for the Nex Playground platform. The game is currently in development and will be available later this year on Nex Playground through Play Pass, Nex Playground's content subscription. Play Pass is sold separately and offers over 60+ active games, from sports, dance, fitness, and educational experiences. The This week, shoppers can take advantage of Nex Playground's Prime Day deal. Starting June 23rd, shoppers can get 20% off the Nex Playground unit on Amazon - starting at $239 (MSRP $299). This deal is also available at Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Sam's Club. During the promotion period, Prime members will also get 20% off an exclusive 3-in-1 bundle (includes the Nex Playground, Travel Case, and a 12-month Play Pass subscription), bringing the price down to $330 (MSRP $412). Nex is on a mission to connect families and friends through active play, much like the old Nintendo Wii did through motion-sensing controllers. Nex Playground uses your whole body as a controller, and so playing Nex games is like geting a workout powered by natural body motion.

Nex and SEGA(R) announce collaboration to unleash Sonic speed on Nex Playground in Q4 2026. Families Prepare to Go Faster with Sonic Forces(TM)(Working Title), Bringing Motion-Based Racing to Nex Playground This upcoming title introduces Sonic the Hedgehog(TM) to the platform in celebration of the franchise's 35th anniversary, honoring one of gaming's most beloved and internationally recognized characters and his enduring legacy with fans around the world. SAN FRANCISCO-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Nex, maker of Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving together, and SEGA, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment, will bring Sonic Forces (Working Title) to the console later this year. Driven by strong demand from the Nex Playground community, this upcoming title introduces Sonic the Hedgehog(TM) to the platform in celebration of the franchise's 35th anniversary, honoring one of gaming's most beloved and internationally recognized characters and his enduring legacy with fans around the world. This partnership marks a significant moment for Nex Playground, building on milestone momentum for the platform this year, including international expansion to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, and being named one of TIME100's Most Influential Companies. "The introduction of a globally recognized character such as Sonic the Hedgehog to Nex Playground represents a significant achievement for our community; it further advances our mission to connect families and friends through active play while ensuring the continuous delivery of fresh content," said David Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Nex. "Sonic Forces (Working Title) translates the popular mobile title of the franchise into a truly physical experience, giving families a new way to move and play together." "Sonic the Hedgehog is a widely loved character, and this partnership with Nex Playground is a natural extension that brings the franchise's core values of speed and fun into the active play category. The team at HARDlight Studios is leveraging their deep expertise to deliver an incredibly engaging experience with Sonic Forces (Working Title), offering a fantastic new way for families to connect with the Blue Blur." - Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Creative Officer at SEGA of America. Sonic Forces (Working Title) reimagines the iconic running and action gameplay generations of players know and love, offering an endlessly replayable, physically active experience on the platform. Sonic Forces (Working Title) is being built by SEGA's HARDlight Studios, the acclaimed team behind globally successful Sonic mobile titles including Sonic Dream Team(TM), Sonic Dash(TM), and Sonic Forces. HARDlight brings deep expertise in delivering polished, accessible Sonic gameplay to millions of players, now adapted and reimagined for the Nex Playground platform. The game is currently in development and will be available later this year on Nex Playground through Play Pass, Nex Playground's content subscription. Play Pass is sold separately and offers over 60+ active games, from sports, dance, fitness, and educational experiences. The Play Pass can be added at any time. To learn more, visit nexplayground.com. This week, shoppers can take advantage of Nex Playground's Prime Day deal. Starting June 23rd, shoppers can get 20% off the Nex Playground unit on Amazon - starting at $239 (MSRP $299). This deal is also available at Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Sam's Club. During the promotion period, Prime members will also get 20% off an exclusive 3-in-1 bundle (includes the Nex Playground, Travel Case, and a 12-month Play Pass subscription), bringing the price down to $330 (MSRP $412). About Nex Nex is on a mission to connect families and friends through active play. Created by parents for parents, Nex combines technology and play to deliver fun, social, and interactive experiences powered by natural body motion. Its award-winning active play system, Nex Playground, is the only controller-free console built specifically for kids and families with safety and privacy at the core of its design. Nex Playground is kidSAFE+ COPPA compliant and a member of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) in the U.S. In the U.K., Nex Playground aligns with GDPR requirements, earning PEGI 3 age ratings on the included starter bundle. Motion-tracking data and processing stay local to the device, and every system includes a built-in camera cover. Nex Playground with Play Pass features a growing library of 60+ active games, from sports to dance, fitness and educational experiences, including Nex Originals and collaborations with partners such as Paramount, Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, and NBCUniversal. Nex has been recognized by Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, TIME's Best Inventions, and Parents' Best Entertainment System for Families, and has earned Red Dot, IDEA, and Core77 international design awards. Nex Playground is available at Amazon, Best Buy(R), Target(R), Walmart(R), and Sam's Club(R) online and select retail stores in the U.S. and Canada, and will be available in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland later this summer. To learn more, visit nex.inc or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook. About SEGA SEGA CORPORATION is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and is a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment. The company develops, publishes, and distributes a variety of games for consoles, PCs, and wireless devices as well as character products, and various other products. Moreover, SEGA distributes a range of gaming content developed by its domestic and overseas studios worldwide via its global publishing bases. SEGA is leveraging its own IP to accelerate the development and commercialization of its IP not only in games but also in various other media, thereby dramatically increasing the value of its IP. SEGA is positioning transmedia as an important strategy for providing new content to users around the world. (C) SEGA. All rights reserved. SEGA is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. SEGA, the SEGA logo, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SONIC FORCES are registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA CORPORATION. More News From Nex SAN FRANCISCO-( BUSINESS WIRE )-Nex, maker of Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving together, today announced the Nex Playground's official retail availability to residents of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The console is now available at Amazon U.K., Argos, Smyths Toys in both regions, and TikTok Shop in the coming days. To support its international growth, Nex has also invested in sports experiences tailored to these markets, bringing more meaningfu... SAN FRANCISCO-( BUSINESS WIRE )-Nex, maker of Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving together, today announced a new partnership with HYBE, a global entertainment lifestyle platform company, to bring a unique BTS-branded music experience to Nex Playground later this year. The collaboration will mark Nex's first-ever co-branded edition of Starri, creating an all-new interactive experience inspired by one of the world's most influential music groups and giving audiences... SAN FRANCISCO-( BUSINESS WIRE )-Building on its breakout success in the U.S. and Canada that propelled the company into a top-selling console, Nex, maker of Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving together, is announcing a new partnership with Wrexham Association Football Club (Wrexham AFC), the historic Welsh football club co-owned by Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds, and the third-oldest professional football club in the world. Following widespread social buzz and strong con... Nex. Release Versions