Zurich-based startup N-Dream AG, with its AirConsole in-car gaming platform, is partnering with video game publisher Atari to make its Asteroids: Recharged and Breakout: Recharged playable for the first time in cars through the infotainment system in supported Volkswagen models.

“Atari laid the foundation for generations of gamers,” said Anthony Cliquot, CEO of N-Dream. “To welcome these timeless titles onto AirConsole shows that our vision for in-car play is being embraced by the world’s most trusted entertainment brands.”

AirConsole turns idle moments—as drivers and passengers spend more time waiting, charging, or parked—into opportunities for play and connection. The company believes that the new wave of entertainment innovation is being shaped not by mobile devices or living room consoles but by the screens built into vehicles.

“We are excited for Volkswagen drivers and their passengers to discover these modern versions of our classic titles,” said Ethan Stearns, VP of Games at Atari. “The AirConsole team has done a phenomenal job optimizing the in-car controls and has produced an amazing playing experience.”

Originally developed and released by Atari as part of its Recharged series, Breakout: Recharged and Asteroids: Recharged support 1-2 players for cooperative or solo play in the in-car environment.

Breakout: Recharged​ is a fresh take on the classic brick-breaking game. With 50 challenge levels and power-ups like rail guns and homing missiles, this version adds modern depth to a foundational arcade experience. Co-op mode lets a second passenger join with ease. Asteroids: Recharged, the space shooter game, features challenge levels, upgraded weapons, and local co-op. Its quick pace and crisp controls make it ideal for short, replayable sessions on the road.

Volkswagen users can start playing instantly once they have an active VW Connect Plus contract and an active internet connection on their smartphone. They download AirConsole from Volkswagen’s in-car shop, launch AirConsole from the infotainment system while the vehicle is parked, and scan the QR code on-screen with a smartphone, which becomes the game controller.

Missile Command: Recharged will also be joining the AirConsole library later.

 

Expansion into mobility

The release of Atari’s arcade classics marks the latest chapter in AirConsole’s rise as the platform for global entertainment brands looking to expand into the mobility space following launches with Sony Pictures Entertainment (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?), Mattel (UNO Car Party! and Pictionary Car Party), and Bandai Namco (PAC-MAN Championship Edition).

In June, AirConsole announced that some Audi vehicles had access to a selection of games, including Pictionary Car Party, through their in-car infotainment system. The collaboration with Mattel introduced the exclusive in-car edition of Mattel’s original quick-draw game in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

In models equipped with a passenger display, Audi’s Active Privacy Mode—a digital curtain that blocks the screen from the driver to prevent distraction—allows the front passenger to enjoy gaming while the vehicle is in motion. In-car gaming was previously limited to parked scenarios.

“This collaboration is a game-changer, letting non-driving passengers join in on fun, interactive play using their smartphones,” said Erika Winterholler, Head of Business Development, Digital Gaming at Mattel. “Most importantly, the front passenger can safely control the game without distracting the driver, ensuring that entertainment and safety go hand-in-hand.”

It is available in A5, Q5, A6, A6 e-tron, and Q6 e-tron models equipped with Android-based infotainment systems in all markets where Audi operates. Up to four players can connect via personal devices.

“By enabling gameplay on the passenger screen in a way that prioritizes safety—by not distracting the driver—we’re taking a bold yet responsible step toward a future where cars are not just modes of transport, but platforms for shared digital experiences,” added Cliquot.

In April, Volkswagen announced that it was the first automotive manufacturer to combine the new game with the vehicle’s background lighting, and for compatible ID. models with ID. Light as an option. In collaboration with AirConsole, PAC-MAN Championship Edition was available in the optional AirConsole in-car app, allowing players to enjoy the game on the infotainment display in a parked vehicle. The more immersive gaming experience involves the interior lighting responding to the game content and inputs by the players.

Futurride reported in August 2024 that Mattel, AirConsole, and BMW Group announced that Mattel’s classic card game UNO was revealed for in-car gaming in Cologne, Germany, at Gamescom 2024. The game rolled out to over 500,000 BMW and Mini vehicles that month in models with Operating System 9 in combination with BMW Digital Premium and Mini Connected packages and with BMW Operating System 8.5 in combination with BMW ConnectedDrive Professional.

 

Entertainment as a conversion lever

According to AirConsole, as smart mobility reshapes the role of the vehicle, entertainment is becoming a key part of the in-car experience. Time spent parked, charging, or waiting is now being reclaimed through play.

The company says it sits at the intersection of these trends, turning the car into a digital living room and helping carmakers create meaningful in-vehicle experiences. With more partnerships on the horizon, it aims to blur the lines between entertainment and mobility, building a platform “where games, brands, and passengers come together in motion.”

AirConsole says its platform is designed specifically for in-vehicle environments, requiring no additional hardware. The “smart mobility entertainment layer” runs natively on the car’s infotainment system. Passengers use their smartphones as controllers, meaning no downloads, sign-ins, or barriers. The company supports OEMs and partners along the integration process to make it as seamless as possible, making games instantly accessible without the need for an app store.

In its collaborations with partners, AirConsole has helped increase the adoption rate of connectivity packages by providing clear, value-added reasons for users to activate digital services. It says that entertainment isn’t just a perk, it becomes a conversion lever.

The company sees opportunities in emerging mobility segments where differentiation is about the user experience. It is especially keen to work with autonomous fleet operators reimagining how cities move, with entertainment turning functional transport into a branded journey. For MaaS (mobility-as-a-service) platforms on short-term rentals, shared shuttles, or long-range services, having in-cabin entertainment can increase session value, loyalty, and serve as a new revenue stream.