Volkswagen Is Turning Its 2027 Cars Into Gaming Consoles, Tetris Is Coming to the Dashboard

Volkswagen is bringing video games to the dashboard of select 2027 vehicles, turning its infotainment system into a multiplayer gaming screen when the car is parked.

Volkswagen of America is integrating N-Dream’s AirConsole platform into select 2027 models, including the Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan, Golf GTI, Golf R and ID. Buzz. The company says it is the first volume automotive brand in the U.S. to introduce AirConsole.

The system launches with 20 games, including familiar titles such as Tetris, PAC-MAN Championship Edition and UNO Car Party! Players don't need a separate controller. Instead, they scan a QR code displayed on the vehicle's infotainment screen and use their smartphones as game controllers. The vehicle must remain parked while games are being played.

Volkswagen is also adding its own twist to the experience. A customized version of PAC-MAN replaces traditional game elements with Volkswagen branding, while select games can interact with the vehicle's ambient lighting, making the cabin part of the gaming experience.

There is a catch. AirConsole is bundled into Volkswagen's In-Vehicle Premium connected-services package. Buyers of the 2027 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan and Golf receive three months of complimentary access, while the ID. Buzz gets a year. After that, the subscription costs $149 per year.

The move highlights how automakers are increasingly treating the car's infotainment system as more than a navigation and media display. Volkswagen had already introduced AirConsole in selected European vehicles, including PAC-MAN, showing that in-car gaming is becoming another part of the connected-car experience.

For Volkswagen, however, the bigger story may be what happens when the car is parked. Charging stops, waiting periods and family trips could increasingly become opportunities for entertainment built directly into the vehicle — with the smartphone already in everyone's pocket serving as the controller.