Bandai Namco, AirConsole and Volkswagen team up to bring Pac-Man Championship Edition to play through AirConsole’s in-car app.
Gaming in the car has never been more accessible or better integrated than it is now. Volkswagen is expanding its gaming offerings in select models by adding Pac-Man Championship Edition through the AirConsole in-car app. More than 300,000 Volkswagen vehicles in Europe can access the game on their infotainment displays while parked. Volkswagen is the first brand to offer dynamic background lighting during the gaming experience.
AirConsole is the world’s first gaming platform designed specifically for cars. The in-car app can transform compatible Volkswagen vehicles into a gaming station by integrating the infotainment, sound and background lighting systems. Users control the game using their smartphones. With partners N-Dream and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., in-car gaming becomes a new social experience, and playing a classic game like Pac-Man connects generations. Volkswagen is also enhancing the overall digital experience and collecting feedback on how these features can be improved.
Volkswagen owners can now play Pac-Man, which captures the original essence of the 1980s game. As in the original, Pac-Man eats dots in a labyrinth while trying to avoid being caught by ghosts. Once all the dots have been eaten, the next level begins. The icons for bonus points and power pellets have been redesigned. More points are awarded for touching silhouettes of iconic Volkswagen models such as the Beetle, VW Bus and Golf IV R32, as well as brand elements like GTI, GTX, R and Volkswagen wheel rims. Anyone looking to fight the Ghost Gang should watch for power pellets in the shape of the Volkswagen logo.
Whether this type of gaming should be offered is up for debate, but some people may appreciate having something to do while waiting to pick someone up or passing time in the car. The dynamic lighting settings are a nice touch that help elevate the in-car gaming experience.
Currently, AirConsole offers up to 146 different titles, 30 of which are available for in-car play. Overcooked is a major title that users can play with up to four others in the car. There’s potential for groups of friends or families to enjoy these games while parked for various reasons. Multiple digital board games and card games are also available for party play.
The AirConsole in-car app is available in many European countries in the ID. models ID.7, ID.5, ID.4 and ID.3 (from ID. Software 4.0 in each case) as well as for the Tayron, Tiguan, Passat, Golf Variant and Golf models from model year 2025. To play, users require a Volkswagen ID user account, an active VW Connect Plus contract, and an active internet connection on the smartphone. The in-car app must be downloaded from the In-Car Shop before it can be used for the first time.
