Volkswagen is bringing casual gaming to its infotainment systems as a way to promote its subscription services. The AirConsole platform, developed by N-Dream, will be built into 2027 Atlas, Tiguan, Golf GTI, Golf R, and ID vehicles, launching with 20 games. Tetris, Pac-Man Championship Edition, and Uno Car Party are among the titles named, with a custom Volkswagen version of Pac-Man that swaps power pellets for VW logos and fruit pickups for cars.
To play, drivers use their smartphone as a wireless controller, and the game library is only accessible while parked. Some games will also sync with ambient interior lighting on certain vehicles. The feature is tied to Volkswagen's In-Vehicle Premium service, which includes Wi-Fi hotspot and exclusive navigation features. Most 2027 vehicles come with three free months, but continued access costs $149 per year.
The move reflects a broader trend of automakers using software and entertainment to create recurring revenue streams beyond the initial vehicle sale. While the source does not specify how many phones can connect for multiplayer, it notes that no other peripherals are mentioned, so smart devices appear to be the only way to play.