Introducing Tesla Arcade, another reason for driver distraction

The latest over-the-air update Tesla owners can expect to receive in the coming week will see the car’s centre infotainment screen become a gaming console. Called Tesla Arcade the car expands on its current selection of fun Easter egg modes like Super Mario Mode and James Bond Mode with the addition of racing games including Beach Buggy Racing 2.

Beach Buggy Racing 2 is available on iOS and Android phones and tablets already but what makes this Tesla collaboration special is that the controller for the game is the car’s actual steering wheel. Similar to Mario Kart, you can race a video game version of your Tesla while being seated in your Tesla. This sounds like a perfectly safe idea...

There's also a two-player mode so your passengers won't get FOMO. The game becomes split-screen and player two just needs to tap the screen while you use the car's steering wheel. You’ll also have a selection of Atari games to choose from too including Centipede, Lunar Lander, and Missile Command.

Before you start your next road trip the same way as the characters in Mario Kart do, the games are only available to play while the car is in park and stationary. Since the steering wheel and pedals are part of the game play AND the car, by moving the steering wheel you will move the car’s wheels and by pressing the brake you will go. It is probably best if you make sure the hand brake is on too. Just to be safe.

Let’s all hope that our Tesla driving friends out there don’t channel their inner Super Mario and try to get their gaming fix at the traffic lights.

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