SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 20, 2026--

Nex, the company behind Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving together, today announced NBA Versus, a new fast-paced, 1-on-1 basketball game developed in collaboration with the National Basketball Association (NBA). Launching exclusively on Nex Playground, NBA Versus puts players at the center of the action, using physical movement to create space, make plays, and move up the ranks from playground challenger to basketball legend.

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Built around quick, head-to-head matchups, NBA Versus turns every possession into a duel. Players use gesture-based controls to dribble, cross over, drive to the basket, pump fake, shoot, steal, and block, bringing the movement and decision-making of basketball into the living room.

Built around quick, head-to-head matchups, NBA Versus turns every possession into a duel. Players use gesture-based controls to dribble, cross over, drive to the basket, pump fake, shoot, steal, and block, bringing the movement and decision-making of basketball into the living room.

Designed to be approachable for newcomers while giving basketball fans plenty to master. Whether it serves as an introduction to basketball or a way for young fans to keep moving outside of the gym, NBA Versus makes it easy to step onto the court and start competing. Features include:

• Go one-on-one: Every possession is a head-to-head battle where spacing, timing, and smart reads can create an opening to score or keep opponents from scoring.
• Get in the zone: Build up big plays to turn them into dramatic, anime-inspired visuals and more spectacular finishes at the basket.
• Become a Playground legend: Go from an unknown challenger to a recognized court legend. Players earn experience and raise their reputation as they advance through 12 ranks, from Rookie and Baller to All-Star, Champion, and, ultimately, Legend.
• Take on bigger courts and tougher competition: Players face off against computer-controlled opponents as they progress across three distinct courts with tougher competition, bigger crowds, and better rewards as they rise through the ranks.
• Create a signature style: Players can build their own character with customizable outfits, hairstyles, eyewear, shoes, basketballs, and more. Player stats – including Shooting, Layup, Ball Control, Steal, Block, and Speed – can also be developed and adjusted over time.
• Rep all 30 NBA teams: Bring the fandom onto the game with rewards inspired by all 30 NBA teams. Players can earn and unlock team jerseys, shorts, basketballs, and backboard decorations, giving fans more ways to represent the teams they love as they play.

NBA Versus marks the latest chapter in a longstanding relationship between Nex and the NBA. Nex first made its name in basketball with HomeCourt, its AI-powered basketball training platform, and the NBA became a strategic partner and investor in the company in 2019. NBA Versus marks the next step in that longstanding relationship, bringing an NBA game to Nex Playground for the first time and expanding their collaboration into motion-powered family play.

“Basketball has been part of Nex from the very beginning. We started with HomeCourt and a belief that technology could make the sport more accessible, engaging, and fun, and the NBA has been such an important partner in that journey,” said David Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Nex. “ NBA Versus feels like a full-circle moment for us. We’re taking that shared foundation and bringing it to Nex Playground in a completely new way, creating an experience where kids and families can move, compete, and experience the fun and competition of basketball together at home.”

NBA Versus is available now on Nex Playground through Play Pass, Nex Playground’s content subscription, which offers access to a growing library of 60+ active games spanning sports, dance, fitness, educational experiences, and more. Play Pass is sold separately and can be added to Nex Playground at any time. To learn more, visit nexplayground.com.

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: motion-tracking data and processing stay local to the device, and every system includes a built-in camera cover. Nex Playground also aligns with GDPR requirements, earning PEGI 3 age ratings. Nex Playground is kidSAFE+ COPPA certified and a member of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI).

Nex Playground with Play Pass features a growing library of 60+ active games, from sports to dance, fitness and learning experiences, including Nex Originals and collaborations with partners such as SEGA, Bandai Namco, Paramount, 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®, Target®, Walmart®, Costco, Sam’s Club® , and TikTok Shop, online and select retail stores in the U.S. and Canada, and is available in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland at Amazon U.K., Argos, and Smyths Toys. To learn more, visit nexplayground.com or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook.

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nex@berlinrosen.com

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SOURCE: Nex

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PUB: 10/20/2026 09:40 AM/DISC: 10/20/2026 09:41 AM

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