Ever wondered how to turn your Tesla into a rolling arcade? Well, you're in for a treat! Tesla vehicles, known for their futuristic design and advanced technology, also offer a fantastic in-car gaming experience. Imagine passing the time during a Supercharging session or waiting for friends by diving into an engaging game right on your car's large touchscreen. Let's explore how you can do just that, step by step!
Step 1: Park Your Tesla! (This is crucial! )
First things first, and this is absolutely the most important step: ensure your Tesla is safely parked. For a significant period, Tesla allowed a feature called "Passenger Play," which let occupants play games while the car was in motion. However, due to safety concerns raised by regulatory bodies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla has since disabled this functionality. So, for your safety and the safety of others, you can only play games when your car is stationary.
Step 2: Accessing the Tesla Arcade
Now that you're safely parked, let's get to the fun part!
2.1 Navigating the Touchscreen
Your Tesla's large, intuitive touchscreen is your gateway to in-car entertainment.
Locate the Application Launcher: At the bottom of your Tesla's touchscreen, you'll see a series of icons. Look for the "three dots" icon or a similar application launcher. Tap on it.
Select "Arcade": From the expanded menu, you'll find various entertainment options. Tap on "Arcade". This will open up the Tesla Arcade, displaying a list of available games.
Step 3: Choosing Your Game
Tesla offers a growing library of games, ranging from classic arcade titles to more modern, graphically rich experiences. The specific games available might vary depending on your vehicle's model, software version, and even your regional market.
3.1 Browse the Game Library
Scroll through the displayed list of games. You'll see titles like Beach Buggy Racing 2, Cuphead, Stardew Valley, Fallout Shelter, The Battle of Polytopia, and many more.
Some games are playable directly with the touchscreen or steering wheel controls, while others require an external controller for the best experience. The game's description will usually indicate this.
Step 4: Connecting a Gaming Controller (If Needed)
For a truly immersive gaming experience, especially with certain titles like Cuphead or Boomerang Fu, a dedicated gaming controller is highly recommended. Tesla vehicles support both Bluetooth and wired USB controllers.
4.1 For Wireless (Bluetooth) Controllers
Power on your controller: Make sure your Bluetooth controller is charged and powered on.
Enable pairing mode on your controller: This usually involves pressing and holding a specific button (e.g., the PlayStation button and share button for a PS5 DualSense, or the Xbox logo and pairing button for an Xbox controller) until its light starts blinking, indicating it's discoverable.
Access Tesla's Bluetooth settings: On your Tesla's touchscreen, tap the Bluetooth icon (usually at the top of the screen).
Add New Device: Select "Add New Device" and then "Start Search."
Pair the controller: Your Tesla will search for nearby Bluetooth devices. When your controller appears in the list, tap on it to connect. A confirmation message should appear once successfully paired. Tesla generally allows pairing with up to two Bluetooth devices for multiplayer gaming.
4.2 For Wired (USB) Controllers
Locate USB ports:
For Teslas manufactured after approximately November 1, 2021, the primary data USB port is typically found inside the glove box.
For older models, you'll likely find USB ports in the center console.
Plug and Play: Simply plug your USB controller into the appropriate USB port. Your Tesla should automatically recognize it.
Step 5: Playing the Game!
Once you've selected your game and connected your controller (if necessary), you're ready to play!
5.1 Starting the Game
Tap on the game's icon in the Arcade.
Follow any on-screen prompts. Some games might have an initial loading screen or a quick tutorial.
Enjoy the experience! Utilize the steering wheel buttons, touchscreen, or your connected controller as appropriate for the game.
5.2 Managing Games
Uninstalling Games: To free up onboard storage in your Tesla, you can uninstall games. Navigate to the Arcade, select the game you wish to uninstall, and then touch "Uninstall." Remember, you'll need to re-download it to play again.
Software Updates: Tesla regularly pushes over-the-air software updates. These updates can sometimes include new games, performance enhancements for existing games, or changes to the Arcade interface. Ensure your Tesla is connected to Wi-Fi to receive these updates promptly.
Step 6: Exploring Advanced Gaming Options (For Specific Models)
For owners of newer Model S and Model X vehicles (typically 2022 and later with the AMD Ryzen processor), Tesla has significantly upgraded its gaming capabilities.
6.1 Steam Integration
In December 2022, Tesla launched a partnership with Steam for select Model S and X vehicles. This allows you to access a vast library of PC games directly through your car!
Software Requirement: Ensure your vehicle has the Holiday Update (released December 13th, 2022) or a newer software version.
Accessing Steam: Look for the Steam Beta app within the Arcade section of your touchscreen.
Downloading Games: Steam games need to be stored locally on your Tesla. Be mindful of the internal storage. For larger game libraries, you might consider an external 1TB SSD to expand the gaming partition.
Cloud Sync: Steam also allows you to sync your game progress across all your devices, including your Tesla.
6.2 Browser-Based Gaming
Beyond the built-in Arcade and Steam, you can also explore browser-based gaming.
Using the Web Browser: Tesla's web browser can potentially run some cloud gaming services like Google Stadia (though Stadia is now defunct), Amazon Luna, or NVIDIA GeForce Now (though compatibility can be an issue). Some third-party websites are designed to optimize these experiences for the Tesla browser.
Rainway App: If you install the Rainway app on your phone, you can even stream and play any PC game by syncing your phone to a controller, which then interfaces with your Tesla's screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to check for new games on Tesla?
New games are typically added through Tesla's over-the-air software updates. You can check for new updates by going to 'Controls' > 'Software' on your touchscreen.
How to connect a PlayStation 5 controller to Tesla?
To connect a PS5 controller, hold the PlayStation button and the Create button (top left) for about 5 seconds until the light bar blinks blue. Then, go to your Tesla's Bluetooth menu, select "Add New Device," and choose "DualSense Wireless Controller" to pair.
How to connect an Xbox controller to Tesla?
For wireless Xbox controllers, power it on, then press and hold the small pairing button near the charging port until the Xbox logo blinks. On your Tesla, navigate to the Bluetooth menu, select "Add New Device," and connect to your Xbox Wireless Controller. For wired, simply plug it into a USB port.
How to uninstall games from Tesla Arcade?
Go to the "Arcade" section on your Tesla's touchscreen, select the game you wish to remove, and then tap on "Uninstall."
How to use a wired controller in a Tesla?
Locate the USB ports in your Tesla (glove box for newer models, center console for older ones) and simply plug in your USB gaming controller. It should be recognized automatically.
How to play multiplayer games on Tesla?
For multiplayer games, you can often connect two Bluetooth controllers to your Tesla. Some games also support local multiplayer using a single controller passed between players or touchscreen controls.
How to improve gaming performance on Tesla?
Ensure your Tesla has the latest software updates, as these often include performance optimizations. For Steam games, consider using an external SSD if internal storage is limited.
How to get Steam games on Tesla?
Steam integration is available on select 2022+ Model S and Model X vehicles with the necessary software update. Access the Steam Beta app from your Tesla Arcade.
How to find USB ports for gaming in my Tesla?
For Teslas manufactured after November 2021, the main data USB port for gaming and dashcam is in the glove box. For older models, check the USB ports in the center console.
How to prevent distractions while gaming in Tesla?
Always ensure your Tesla is in Park before starting any game. Tesla has disabled gaming while driving for safety reasons.
For a visual guide on connecting game controllers, check out this video:
