NHL Puck Rush: Motion-Based Hockey on Nex Playground

Last Updated: November 5, 2025

In a significant move that bridged professional sports with the burgeoning world of active gaming, the National Hockey League (NHL) partnered with tech innovator Nex to launch NHL Puck Rush. The game stands as the first-ever officially licensed sports league title for the Nex Playground, a unique console designed to transform living rooms into interactive, controller-free play spaces.

The title was created to get families and hockey fans off the couch and into the game, using advanced motion-based technology to translate the high-speed action of the rink into a full-body gameplay experience. It successfully delivered a new way for fans to engage with their favorite NHL teams in a physically active and entertaining format.

A New Arena for Hockey

The partnership between the NHL and Nex marked a bold step for both organizations. For the NHL, it represented a strategic expansion into a novel category of interactive entertainment, reaching a younger, family-oriented audience beyond the traditional console sports simulation market. By embracing the Nex Playground's unique hardware, the league invested in a future where fandom is not just watched, but physically experienced.

For Nex, securing a partnership with a major professional sports league like the NHL was a massive validation of its platform. The Nex Playground, which had been building a library of motion-based games including titles from partners like Sesame Workshop, gained a significant level of mainstream credibility. NHL Puck Rush became a key title for the system, attracting a dedicated sports fanbase that may have previously overlooked the console and setting a precedent for other sports leagues to explore the world of active gaming.

What is the Nex Playground?

The Nex Playground is an active play system that uses a wide-angle camera and AI-powered motion tracking to place players directly into the game without requiring a controller or wearable sensor. The system is built on the philosophy of turning screen time into active time, encouraging movement, coordination, and social play. It projects games onto a TV while the camera captures players' movements, allowing them to interact with on-screen elements using their hands, feet, and entire body.

The concept is designed to be intuitive and accessible for all ages, removing the barrier of complex controller schemes. By focusing on simple, physical actions, the Playground brought back the living room-centric fun of early motion-controlled consoles, but with the benefit of modern, more precise technology. NHL Puck Rush serves as a flagship example of this philosophy applied to the world of professional sports.

Gameplay in NHL Puck Rush

NHL Puck Rush leverages the Playground's full-body tracking to immerse players directly in the action. The game is not a complex hockey simulation but a series of fast-paced, arcade-style hockey challenges designed for immediate fun and physical engagement.

Players use their bodies to control their on-screen avatars, moving side-to-side to block shots as a goalie or using hand and foot motions to pass and shoot the puck. The gameplay challenges players' reflexes, agility, and timing in an intuitive and energetic way. Authenticity is a key component, as the game features all official NHL team logos, jerseys, and branding.

A major feature of the game is its progression system. During gameplay, players can unlock cosmetic items for their favorite teams, including unique jerseys, sticks, pucks, and even team mascots. This reward loop encourages continued play and allows fans to customize their experience while representing the team they love.

A New Frontier for Sports Gaming

The launch of NHL Puck Rush was more than just a new game release; it was an important moment for the sports gaming genre. It challenged the notion that sports video games must be complex simulations requiring dozens of hours to master. Instead, it offered an alternative path that prioritizes physical engagement, accessibility, and shared family experiences.

As the first major sports league to back a dedicated title for the Nex Playground, the NHL positioned itself at the forefront of the active gaming trend. The success of NHL Puck Rush demonstrated that fans were ready to trade their gamepads for an experience that asked them to jump, move, and play like their favorite athletes, carving out a unique and valuable niche in the sports entertainment landscape.