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    AirConsole

    Also known as AirConsole by N-Dream, N-Dream AirConsole

    AirConsole is an in-car gaming platform made by N-Dream, a Zurich-based subsidiary of KPIT Technologies. It runs casual multiplayer games on a car's infotainment screen, with passengers' smartphones as controllers.[1][2] It is offered by BMW, Audi, Porsche, Skoda, Tata and, from model year 2027, Volkswagen in the US.[1][3]

    Editor reviewedUpdated Gaming
    Key facts

    AirConsole is a gaming platform built for car screens. N-Dream, which makes it, describes it as the first gaming platform designed specifically for cars, tying games into the infotainment, sound and lighting systems.[4]

    How it works

    Games run directly on the vehicle’s infotainment display. Players scan a QR code on the screen, and their compatible smartphones become controllers, so no extra hardware is needed.[2] On some Volkswagen models, selected games link to the ambient interior lighting.[5] Volkswagen’s US launch offered 20 games, including PAC-MAN Championship Edition, UNO Car Party! and Tetris.[2]

    Carmaker partners

    BMW announced AirConsole in October 2022, starting with the 7 Series in 2023.[6] In July 2025 Audi added front-passenger play while moving on A5, Q5, A6, A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron models with Android-based infotainment.[7][8] On 23 September 2026 Volkswagen of America announced AirConsole for the 2027 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan, Golf GTI, Golf R and ID. Buzz.[3][9] In October 2026 AirConsole, Volkswagen and The Tetris Company showed in-car Tetris at New York Comic Con.[10] N-Dream also lists Porsche, Skoda and Tata as partners.[1]

    Safety design

    BMW said AirConsole games can be accessed only while the car is parked,[6] and Volkswagen limits play to parked vehicles.[2] Audi’s in-motion mode is restricted to the front passenger, behind an active privacy mode that blocks the screen from the driver.[7] Separately, NHTSA’s investigation of Tesla’s Passenger Play concluded that technological lockouts are needed because many drivers ignore on-screen warnings.[11]

    Cost

    On Volkswagen, AirConsole is part of In-Vehicle Premium. It is free for three months (one year on the ID. Buzz) and then costs $149 a year on model year 2027 vehicles.[12]

    Questions readers ask

    How do you play AirConsole in a car?

    Games run on the car's screen. Each player scans a QR code with a compatible smartphone, which becomes the controller.[2]

    Can AirConsole be played while driving?

    On Volkswagen and BMW it is limited to parked cars. Since July 2025 Audi has allowed front-passenger play in motion on models whose privacy mode blocks the screen from the driver.[2][6][7]

    Which carmakers offer AirConsole?

    N-Dream lists BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Skoda and Tata as partners.[1]

    What games are on AirConsole?

    Volkswagen's US launch catalogue has 20 games, including PAC-MAN Championship Edition, UNO Car Party! and Tetris.[2]

    Sources

    Each numbered claim is a statement we checked against the sources listed with it. Status shows how well established it is.

    1. [1]

      AirConsole is made by N-Dream, a Zurich-based subsidiary of KPIT Technologies, whose automaker partners include BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Skoda and Tata. confirmedas of 2026-09-23

    2. [2]

      Volkswagen says AirConsole lets occupants play multiplayer games on the infotainment screen while parked, joining by scanning a QR code so their smartphones act as controllers, with 20 games at launch. confirmedas of 2026-09-23

    3. [3]

      On 23 September 2026 Volkswagen of America announced AirConsole for select model year 2027 vehicles, calling itself the first volume automotive brand in the US to offer it. confirmedas of 2026-09-23

    4. [4]

      N-Dream describes AirConsole as the first gaming platform designed specifically for cars, integrating the infotainment, sound and light systems. confirmedas of 2026-09-23

    5. [5]

      Some AirConsole games on Volkswagen models link to the ambient interior lighting, and VW-branded versions of PAC-MAN, Golazo! and Memory Match are offered. confirmedas of 2026-09-23

    6. [6]

      In October 2022 BMW announced it would bring AirConsole games to new vehicles starting with the BMW 7 Series in 2023, playable only while parked, using smartphones as controllers. confirmedas of 2022-10-11

    7. [7]

      In July 2025 AirConsole and Audi enabled front-passenger gaming while driving on Audi models with a passenger display, using an active privacy mode that blocks the screen from the driver's view; gaming had previously been limited to when the car was parked. confirmedas of 2025-07-01

    8. [8]

      The in-motion passenger gaming feature is available on Audi A5, Q5, A6, A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron models with Android-based infotainment. reportedas of 2025-07-01

    9. [9]

      AirConsole is offered on the 2027 VW Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan, Golf GTI, Golf R and ID. Buzz enrolled in In-Vehicle Premium through the myVW app. confirmedas of 2026-09-23

    10. [10]

      On 8 October 2026 AirConsole, Volkswagen of America and The Tetris Company showed an in-car Tetris experience in a 2027 VW Atlas at New York Comic Con 2026. confirmedas of 2026-10-08

    11. [11]

      NHTSA concluded that many drivers disregard on-screen notifications and that technological lockouts are needed to prevent non-driving tasks while a vehicle is moving. confirmedas of 2023-05-26

    12. [12]

      After a free period of three months (one year on the ID. Buzz), continued AirConsole access requires VW's In-Vehicle Premium subscription at $149 per year on model year 2027 vehicles. confirmedas of 2026-09-23

    13. [13]

      According to NHTSA, Tesla Arcade was introduced in June 2019 and let occupants play games on the centre screen with the car in Park, ending gameplay if the car was shifted out of Park. confirmedas of 2023-05-26

    Revision history (1)
    1. Page created.

    Created Oct 10, 2026. Last reviewed by an editor on Oct 10, 2026. Next scheduled review: Jan 10, 2027.

    Cite this page

    "AirConsole." ContentLora, updated Oct 10, 2026. https://contentlora.com/wiki/airconsole

    Spotted an error? Suggest a correction or emailcorrections@contentlora.com.

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