BTS are taking their global reach somewhere entirely new. The K-pop giants have announced their first ever gaming collaboration, teaming up with active play console Nex Playground for a brand new experience coming later this year. It is the kind of crossover that makes complete sense when you think about it: one of the world’s biggest music acts, a fanbase that spans every continent, and a console built specifically around movement, music, and play. Here is everything confirmed so far.
What Is the BTS x Nex Playground Collaboration?
Nex and HYBE, the entertainment company behind BTS, announced on June 22, 2026 that they are partnering to bring a BTS-branded music experience to Nex Playground later this year. The collaboration centres on Starri, one of the most popular rhythm games on the platform, and marks the first ever co-branded edition of the game in Nex Playground’s history.
Starri is an existing motion-based rhythm game on Nex Playground that uses full-body movement and receives regular song updates. The BTS edition builds directly on that foundation, creating a dedicated artist experience within the game rather than an entirely separate title.
Using the console’s controller-free, motion-tracking technology, players interact with BTS music through full-body gameplay. The experience is designed exclusively for Nex Playground and aims to transform the living room into an interactive celebration of the group’s music and artistry.
Key details at a glance:
| Detail | Info |
| Collaboration | BTS x Nex Playground |
| Game | Starri (first ever co-branded edition) |
| Announced | June 22, 2026 |
| Release | Later in 2026 (exact date TBC) |
| Platform | Nex Playground exclusively |
| Gameplay Style | Controller-free, full-body motion gameplay |
| Developer | Nex |
| Music Rights Holder | HYBE |
What Is Nex Playground?
Nex Playground is a controller-free active play console built specifically for families, using motion-tracking technology to let players interact with games through natural body movement. Similar in concept to the Wii or Xbox Kinect, the console tracks full-body movement without requiring any handheld controller, and it is the only system of its kind designed specifically for kids and families with privacy and safety at the core of its design.
The system launched in the US at the end of 2023 and arrived in the UK and Republic of Ireland earlier in June 2026, where it is now available at Amazon UK, Argos, and Smyths Toys. In the US and Canada, you can purchase Nex Playground via Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, both online and in select retail stores.
Nex Playground pricing:
| Region | Price | Notes |
| UK | £269 | Includes five games |
| Play Pass subscription | £90 per year | Required for full 60+ game library |
| US | Visit nexplayground.com | Pricing varies with current promotions |
The console comes with five games included, and access to a growing library of over 60 titles through the Play Pass subscription, which covers everything from sports and dance to fitness and educational experiences. The BTS x Starri experience will sit within the Starri ecosystem on the platform, meaning Play Pass access applies. Partners already on the platform include Paramount, Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, and NBCUniversal.
Privacy is also a clear priority for Nex. Motion-tracking data stays local to the device, and every system includes a built-in camera cover, giving families full control over their privacy during play.
What Will the BTS x Starri Experience Look Like?
The BTS x Nex Playground collaboration reimagines Starri as a fully interactive, music-driven experience built around the group’s catalogue. Players use full-body movement to engage with BTS music, with the motion-tracking technology capturing their movements in real time without any controller in hand.
The experience is designed to be accessible to all ages, reflecting both BTS‘s multigenerational fanbase and Nex Playground‘s core identity as a family-first platform. Beyond the music and movement, the collaboration is positioned as a new way for ARMY to connect with the group at home, turning a familiar living room into an interactive fan experience.
What HYBE said about the collaboration:
HYBE described the partnership as an exciting new way to connect music, play, and fandom, noting that Nex Playground‘s active play platform gives global audiences of all ages an innovative way to engage with their artists. They also confirmed this is the first dedicated artist experience on the platform.
What Nex said about the collaboration:
Nex President Tom Kang noted that BTS have built a global community through music, and that the partnership creates a unique experience celebrating the group’s energy, creativity, and cultural impact while bringing all ages together through Starri.
When Does It Release?
A specific release date for the BTS x Nex Playground experience has not been confirmed yet. The announcement stated the collaboration arrives later in 2026, and further details are expected in the coming months. Players and fans can follow updates via nexplayground.com and HYBE‘s official channels for the latest news as it develops.
Why This Collaboration Is Amazing?
This marks a significant moment for both sides. For Nex Playground, the BTS partnership is the console’s highest-profile music collaboration to date and its first dedicated artist experience, building on existing partnerships with major entertainment brands and reinforcing its position as a serious player in the family gaming space following strong US sales since launch.
For BTS, it represents their first ever gaming collaboration, expanding their presence into interactive entertainment at a time when the group is already riding a major global wave. Their 2026 comeback album ARIRANG released in March 2026 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with lead single SWIM also debuting at No. 1. The group is currently midway through their BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’, their biggest tour yet, with shows spanning multiple regions across dozens of live dates.
The BTS x Nex Playground collaboration slots naturally into that broader global push, giving ARMY a new way to engage with the group’s music directly from home, with more information on the full experience still to come.
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