BTS have confirmed details of their first ever gaming collaboration, with the K-pop titans teaming up with “active play” console Nex Playground.
After launching in the US at the end of 2023, the Nex Playground was released in the UK and Europe earlier this month. Similar to the Wii or the Xbox Kinect, the console uses motion controls to track players movements, with the Nex Playground featuring a library of more than 60 games.
The Nex Playground will set you back £269 and comes with five games. A £90-a-year subscription is needed to access the full library.
“Nex Playground combines gaming with physical movement and learning, in an experience that’s accessible to all ages,” explained creators Nex. “It’s the first system of its kind designed for the whole family to get active and play together year-round. It’s pint-sized to fit everywhere while bringing some giddyup to your household.”
Now Nex have confirmed that BTS will be coming to the Playground’s rhythm game Starri later this year. “Using Nex Playground’s controller-free, motion-tracking technology, players will interact with BTS’ music through full-body gameplay,” reads a press release. “Designed exclusively for Nex Playground, the experience reimagines how users can engage with the group at home, transforming the living room into an interactive celebration of the music and artistry that have captivated audiences around the globe.”
“Playground’s active play platform offers global audiences of all ages an innovative way to engage with our artists,” said Hybe, the entertainment company behind BTS. “We are excited for fans and families to come together through interactive gameplay inspired by the group’s music. As the first dedicated artist experience on the platform, this partnership represents an exciting new way to connect music, play, and fandom.”
“Music has always been one of the most powerful ways to bring people together, and BTS have built a global community through that shared connection,” added Nex’s president Tom Kang. A release date for the BTS X Nex Playground experience is still to be confirmed.
Earlier this year, BTS kicked off their huge 2026 and 2027 world tour at Goyang Stadium in South Korea, and broke out tracks from ‘ARIRANG’ for the first time. The current run of shows are the first tour dates from the K-Pop giants in three years and will see them cover 34 regions with 79 live shows, marking their biggest tour yet. The group will return to the UK next month for a pair of shows at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of gigs in North America, Asia and Australia. Find all ticket information here, UK tickets here, and international tickets here.
In other news, Netflix has announced plans to launch a new interactive horror game experience, starring Sadie Sink, Zoë Kravitz and Troy Baker.