Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is bringing arcade nostalgia to the streets of London with a PAC-MAN™ inspired ID. Buzz at MCM Comic Con London 2026, celebrating the iconic character’s 45th birthday in unmistakably retro style.
The celebration comes as retro gaming continues its full-power comeback across the UK, fuelled by a wave of 90s and early-2000s nostalgia that has spread across social media, entertainment and consumer tech. New research reveals that 45% of Brits are considering buying a retro-inspired gaming device within the next year, highlighting the growing appetite for classic gaming experiences reimagined for modern audiences.
At the centre of the event is Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ collaboration with N-Dream, the creators of AirConsole, and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. Together, the companies are transforming the Volkswagen ID. Buzz into a playable gaming hub, blending electric mobility with old-school arcade culture in a way that feels pulled straight from a neon-lit memory card.
Visitors attending MCM Comic Con London will have the opportunity to step inside the specially-decorated PAC-MAN™ ID. Buzz and play PAC-MAN™ Championship Edition directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system. Using the AirConsole In-Car App, players can connect their smartphones as controllers simply by scanning a QR code displayed on the screen. The result is a multiplayer gaming experience built specifically for moments when the vehicle is stationary, turning downtime into playtime.
With more than 100,000 attendees expected across the three-day celebration of gaming, anime and pop culture, the event offers the perfect stage for Volkswagen to showcase how connected vehicle technology is evolving beyond navigation and streaming. Visitors will compete for the highest PAC-MAN™ score of the day, adding a competitive arcade spirit to the Comic Con atmosphere.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz itself already leans heavily into nostalgia, borrowing visual inspiration from the beloved classic VW Microbus while introducing a fully electric platform designed for modern family life. Available in five-, six- and seven-seat configurations, the vehicle combines spacious practicality with a distinctly playful personality that makes it a natural fit for the PAC-MAN™ collaboration.
The partnership also highlights Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ wider push into digital vehicle experiences. From Summer 2026, the ID. Buzz will feature Volkswagen’s new Innovision infotainment system, which introduces an integrated app store designed to expand vehicle functionality through downloadable digital services. Drivers and passengers will be able to access a range of applications covering entertainment, charging, parking and gaming, bringing smartphone-style flexibility directly into the cabin.
Alongside the upgraded infotainment system, the ID. Buzz will also receive a redesigned multifunction steering wheel with updated controls intended to improve usability and overall driving interaction.
For Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the collaboration taps into something larger than gaming alone. It reflects how nostalgia continues to influence modern consumer behaviour, particularly among audiences seeking familiar experiences wrapped in new technology. In many ways, the PAC-MAN™ ID. Buzz feels like a rolling time capsule powered by electricity, touchscreens and childhood muscle memory. Somewhere between a family EV and an arcade cabinet on wheels, it captures exactly why retro culture still refuses to fade quietly into the background.
