Hyundai is injecting a dose of playful nostalgia into its Korean-market vehicles with official Pokemon-themed digital dashboards. In a collaboration with Pokemon Korea, select Hyundai models now offer two exclusive infotainment themes: “Pokémon Pikachu Quick Attack” and “Pokémon Ditto World.”
What’s Changing?
These aren’t mere wallpaper swaps. The themes fully overhaul the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Expect Pokemon to appear in gauges, menus, navigation, and even user profile icons.
The Pikachu theme floods the interface with the electric mouse, complete with custom animations and greetings. The Ditto theme provides a calmer alternative, featuring the shapeshifting Pokemon alongside other favorites like Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Snorlax.
System Requirements and Availability
To access these themes, vehicles must run Hyundai’s ccNC infotainment system, currently found in models such as the Staria, Sonata, Palisade, Nexo, Ioniq 6, and Ioniq 9. For now, the Pokemon themes are exclusive to South Korea and can be purchased through Hyundai’s BlueLink Store or app.
Cost and Permanence
A lifetime license for either theme costs ₩29,900 (approximately $21 USD), tied to the owner’s account. This means the themes can be enabled or disabled at will.
Why this matters: Hyundai’s move highlights a growing trend of automakers personalizing the in-car experience beyond basic customization options. Leveraging popular franchises like Pokemon is a low-cost way to engage consumers and generate buzz. It also raises questions about how far automakers will go to differentiate interiors through software and digital themes.
