VOLKSWAGEN GOES FULL RETRO-FUTURE: PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION JOINS THE AIRCONSOLE IN-CAR GAMING LINEUP
Volkswagen just dropped another pixel-powered surprise for those moments when you're parked and waiting – or simply vibing in your driveway with a snack and some synthwave. The PAC-MAN Championship Edition has officially joined the gaming lineup of the AirConsole in-car app, turning selected new VW models into mobile arcades. And this isn’t just any ol’ PAC-MAN port. For the first time in automotive history, VW is dynamically linking the gameplay to your car’s ambient lighting and, in compatible ID. models, even the futuristic ID. Light strip. Yup – munch dots, dodge ghosts, and trigger lighting effects that pulse, react, and shift in real time to your in-game chaos. It's like putting your car in “arcade mode,” and it slaps. PAC-MAN Championship Edition brings all the classic '80s maze-munching magic you remember - with a modern twist. You’re still zipping through neon labyrinths, gobbling dots and evading the ever-creepy Ghost Gang. But this time, bonus icons include VW legends like the Beetle, the Bus, and the Golf IV R32. You’ll rack up extra points by tagging silhouettes of these icons, as well as GTI, GTX, R and a selection of iconic VW wheel rims. Oh, and those iconic power pellets? They’re now shaped like the Volkswagen brand logo. That's right – eat your way to victory, powered by Wolfsburg pride.
The Legend of PAC-MAN: A Quick Flashback
Born in 1980 out of Namco’s Tokyo labs, PAC-MAN was designed by Toru Iwatani as an answer to the then-violence-heavy arcade lineup. The idea? A game that appealed to everyone, especially women, by being cute, non-violent, and totally addictive.
It worked.
The game exploded into a global pop culture icon. PAC-MAN became the face of early gaming, a merchandising empire, and even starred in a (let’s say questionable) animated series. With its easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay, PAC-MAN became a bridge between generations. The Championship Edition builds on that legacy with faster gameplay, vibrant visuals, and now… in-car integration. From quarter slots to infotainment screens - PAC-MAN keeps eating. AirConsole is the world’s first gaming platform built from the ground up for in-car use. It transforms your VW into a full-on gaming rig, tapping into the infotainment screen, sound system, and ambient lighting for a console-grade experience - but with no hardware required. Your smartphone becomes the controller. No cables. No fuss. The game lineup is designed for casual players of all ages, making it perfect for family road trips, passenger time-killers, or even a solo PAC-MAN session while charging. PAC-MAN Championship Edition joins a growing roster of games made possible by Volkswagen’s collaboration with gaming tech company N-Dream and pop-culture powerhouse Bandai Namco Entertainment.
Availability & How To Play
The AirConsole app and PAC-MAN are available in select European markets on a range of models, including:
ID. models – ID.7, ID.5, ID.4, and ID.3 (all with ID. Software 4.0 or newer)
Others – Tayron, Tiguan, Passat, Golf Variant and the Golf from model year 2025 onwards
To play, you’ll need:
A Volkswagen ID user account
An active VW Connect Plus contract
A stable smartphone internet connection
And the AirConsole app downloaded from the In-Car Shop
Once that's sorted, you’re ready to chase ghosts in style.
Game on.
Take a look at the YouTube short that shows off a very brief glimpse of the way you can enjoy one of the most well-known video games in the world inside a new generation Volkswagen, thanks to AirConsole: @PACMANOfficial is back with the new @Airconsole feature!
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel here for more exciting and exclusive SXdrv content! And don't forget to smash that subscribe button!