The gaming hardware sales chart for the week ending November 22, 2025 delivered an expected winner and a massive surprise. According to Mat Piscatella from market research firm Circana, the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle took the top spot in US unit sales, which makes perfect sense given the console’s momentum and Black Friday proximity. But second place went to something most gamers have never heard of: the NEX Playground, a $249 motion-controlled console that basically brings back the Kinect for families with young kids.
The Switch 2 Bundle Dominance
Nintendo’s Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle landing in first place isn’t shocking. The bundle typically retails for $499 but dropped to $449 during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. This effectively gave customers the new Mario Kart World game for free, since a standalone Switch 2 console costs $449. The timing coincided with the holiday shopping season when console bundles historically perform strongest.
The Switch 2 has been crushing sales expectations since launch. By October 2025, the console had already sold 10.68 million units worldwide, slightly edging out the PlayStation 5’s 10.50 million units for the year. The system is tracking ahead of the original Switch’s launch trajectory, which was one of Nintendo’s most successful console debuts ever. The Mario Kart World Bundle represents a limited-time offer Nintendo promoted heavily through fall 2025, available while supplies lasted.
What Is NEX Playground
The real story is NEX Playground grabbing second place. This Android-based motion-tracking console launched in 2023 from San Jose company Nex, targeting families with young children rather than traditional gamers. The device is a small cube roughly 3 inches on each side with a built-in ultra-wide-angle camera that tracks body movement without requiring controllers or headsets. CEO David Lee explicitly positions it as a spiritual successor to Microsoft’s Kinect.
The console uses AI-powered computer vision to track hands and body parts with significantly better accuracy than the original Kinect. Unlike Microsoft’s device which required infrared projectors and depth sensors, NEX Playground achieves motion tracking with just a single camera. This technological advancement allows the system to get better over time through software updates, including future object detection capabilities that could incorporate everyday household items into gameplay.
| Feature | NEX Playground | Xbox Kinect |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $150 (at launch) |
| Tracking Technology | AI-powered single camera | Infrared projector + depth sensor |
| Target Audience | Families with young children | Xbox gamers and families |
| Storage | 64GB | N/A (Xbox peripheral) |
| Subscription | $89/year Play Pass for additional games | No separate subscription |
How NEX Playground Grabbed Second Place
NEX Playground’s surprise performance stems from aggressive Black Friday and Cyber Monday placement. The device appeared prominently on Amazon’s front page during the shopping weekend, giving it massive visibility to millions of shoppers looking for family-friendly gifts. At $249, it hits a sweet spot for parents wanting to reduce sedentary screen time without breaking the bank on traditional gaming consoles that cost $450 to $500.
The console comes bundled with five games including Fruit Ninja and Starri, with additional titles available through the $89 annual Play Pass subscription. Games focus on physical activity like tennis requiring players to move around the room, Hula-Hoop games featuring Peppa Pig, rhythm games similar to Beat Saber, and fitness applications. Partnerships with Hasbro and Sesame Workshop bring familiar characters like Elmo and Cookie Monster into the motion gaming space.
The Casual Gaming Market Still Exists
NEX Playground’s strong sales performance reveals an important truth that hardcore gaming communities often overlook: the casual family gaming market remains massive and underserved. After the Wii’s decline and Microsoft discontinuing Kinect, few companies focused on motion-controlled family entertainment. This created a gap that NEX is now filling for parents who want active indoor play options for young children.
The device appeals to a completely different demographic than traditional consoles. Reviews from families highlight how kids love seeing themselves in games, giggling at image filters, and playing together without complex controls. The tracking accuracy improvements over Kinect eliminate the frustration that plagued Microsoft’s device. For parents concerned about screen time guilt, a system that requires physical movement provides psychological relief even if kids are still technically looking at screens.
Where PlayStation 5 and Xbox Ranked
While Mat Piscatella’s post from Circana didn’t reveal the complete top 10 list, the fact that NEX Playground claimed second place means PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles ranked lower. This represents a significant moment where a niche motion-gaming device outsold major platforms from Sony and Microsoft during a critical shopping week. Given that Switch 2 took first and NEX took second, PS5 likely landed in third place with various Xbox Series models further down.
PlayStation 5 has remained strong overall in 2025, selling over 10.50 million units year-to-date through October. However, it’s trailing the Switch 2 slightly in the global hardware race. Xbox Series X and S continue struggling with both consoles regularly falling below 150,000 monthly units worldwide. The week ending November 22 specifically captured Black Friday shopping behavior, when deal-seeking consumers prioritize value bundles over brand loyalty.
What This Means for the Industry
NEX Playground’s performance demonstrates that gaming platforms exist successfully outside the traditional console war narrative. While enthusiast communities debate PlayStation versus Xbox versus Nintendo specifications and exclusive games, companies like Nex quietly capture market segments through different value propositions. The $249 price point, family-friendly branding, and motion-control nostalgia created a product that resonated during holiday shopping.
The success also suggests potential for motion gaming’s resurgence if executed properly. Microsoft’s Kinect failed partly due to mandatory bundling that inflated Xbox One prices and forced the technology on gamers who didn’t want it. NEX Playground avoids this by targeting families who specifically want motion gaming, not trying to convince core gamers to adopt a technology they’ve repeatedly rejected. This focused approach allows the product to thrive in its niche without overreaching.
Switch 2 Momentum Continues
Despite NEX Playground stealing headlines, the Switch 2’s first-place finish reinforces Nintendo’s dominant position heading into the critical holiday season. The console has already exceeded 10 million lifetime sales and is tracking ahead of the original Switch’s phenomenal launch. The Mario Kart World Bundle specifically drives sales by offering Nintendo’s most popular franchise at no additional cost during the limited promotional period.
November and December represent the biggest months for gaming hardware sales as consoles make popular Christmas gifts. The Switch 2’s strong performance during the week ending November 22 positions it perfectly for continued dominance through December 2025. With supply seemingly stable and competitive pricing through bundles, Nintendo is capitalizing on the install base momentum that typically determines console generation winners.
FAQs
What was the bestselling gaming hardware in the US for the week ending November 22, 2025?
The Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle was the bestselling hardware SKU in the US for that week according to Circana data. The bundle was on sale for $449 during Black Friday promotions, down from the regular $499 price, essentially giving customers the Mario Kart World game for free.
What is NEX Playground and why did it rank second?
NEX Playground is a $249 motion-controlled gaming console from San Jose company Nex that uses AI-powered camera tracking similar to Xbox Kinect. It ranked second in US hardware sales due to prominent Amazon placement during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, targeting families with young children wanting active indoor play options.
How does NEX Playground compare to Xbox Kinect?
NEX Playground uses advanced AI-powered computer vision with a single camera for motion tracking, while Kinect required infrared projectors and depth sensors. The NEX system offers better tracking accuracy and can improve through software updates. It costs $249 and comes with five bundled games, with additional titles available through an $89 annual subscription.
How many Switch 2 consoles have been sold?
As of October 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 had sold 10.68 million units worldwide since launch. This puts it slightly ahead of PlayStation 5’s 10.50 million units for 2025 year-to-date. The Switch 2 is tracking ahead of the original Switch’s launch trajectory, which was one of Nintendo’s most successful console releases.
Where did PlayStation 5 and Xbox rank in this sales data?
Mat Piscatella’s Circana data didn’t reveal the complete rankings beyond the top two positions. However, with Switch 2 in first and NEX Playground in second, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles ranked third or lower for the week ending November 22, 2025.
How much does the Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle cost?
The bundle normally retails for $499, but was discounted to $449 during Black Friday and Cyber Monday at major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. A standalone Switch 2 costs $449, meaning the bundle effectively provides Mario Kart World at no extra cost when on sale.
Is NEX Playground only for kids?
Yes, NEX Playground is specifically designed for families with young children. The device features partnerships with brands like Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, and Peppa Pig. Games focus on simple motion-based activities that don’t require complex controls, making them accessible for young kids while providing active play opportunities.
Conclusion
The US hardware sales data for the week ending November 22, 2025 tells two stories. First, Nintendo’s Switch 2 continues its expected domination with smart bundling and holiday timing driving the Mario Kart World package to the top spot. Second, and far more surprising, NEX Playground proved that a massive casual gaming market still exists outside the traditional console ecosystem. The $249 motion-controlled cube outselling PlayStation 5 and Xbox demonstrates that when companies identify underserved niches and execute well, success doesn’t require competing directly with gaming giants. For parents wanting active screen time alternatives and retailers prominently featuring affordable family entertainment during Black Friday, NEX Playground hit the perfect moment. Whether this momentum continues or represents a brief holiday spike remains to be seen, but for one week at least, a Kinect successor nobody was talking about became the second-biggest hardware story in American gaming.