Volkswagen joined forces with Bandai Namco to introduce the classic arcade game into vehicles across Europe.
In-vehicle video gaming isn’t groundbreaking anymore. Since slim television screens emerged in the early 2000s, businesses have provided numerous options for occupants (the ones not prone to motion sickness) to entertain themselves with games during trips. Moreover, the growing array of car applications has introduced more gaming opportunities into vehicles; however, this recent agreement takes things further. Volkswagen extends past a collection of typical card games or shooter titles.
Pac-Man is about as iconic as it gets in the video game world. It anchored every arcade through the 1980s. It ported very nicely to early game consoles like the Atari 2600. And now you can play it in your Volkswagen GTI Actually, you can use it across various Volkswagens beginning with the 2025 model year, including the Tiguan , ID models, and additional elements.
It goes beyond simply playing Pac-Man inside the car. This particular iteration is known as Pac-Man Championship Edition, designed exclusively for Volkswagen vehicles. It features special VW-themed power-ups that help boost your score. Instead of regular pac-dots, these are replaced with VW logo symbols that you must consume to defeat the ghosts. Additionally, the gameplay integrates seamlessly with the car’s internal lights, enhancing the overall immersive feel. For owners of ID models, the system further synchronizes with the ID Lights located near the bottom edge of the windscreen, adding another layer of interaction.
Volkswagen collaborated with Bandai Namco and N-Dream to release this game, which can be accessed via an additional AirConsole application within the car. Players use their smartphones to manage the gameplay; however, Volkswagen emphasizes that the game should only be enjoyed when the vehicle is stationary.
Sadly, the in-car Pac-Man game is currently exclusive to European markets. We reached out to Volkswagen to inquire about its potential release in North America. Given that the manual GTI ceased production last year, there may still be an opportunity for U.S. customers to enjoy gaming from their driver’s seat.
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Source: Volkswagen