End of Nintendo 3DS Audio Guides at the Louvre

A Decade-Long Partnership Concludes

Soon, visitors to the Louvre will no longer have the option to rent Nintendo 3DS devices for navigating the museum and learning about its art collections. According to a discovery by Nintendo Everything on the Louvre's official site, these handheld consoles will cease to be operational for this purpose starting September 2025. Although the museum intends to introduce a replacement system, no further details about what this will entail have been disclosed yet. Speculation arises about whether this new solution might involve the Nintendo Switch or perhaps a more conventional audio guide system.

A Creative Solution Since 2012

Since 2012, the Louvre has offered the Nintendo 3DS as an audio guide option, available to rent for a fee of €6. This device doesn't just provide detailed information about the exhibits in various languages such as English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese—it also educates users about the history of the museum building itself. Furthermore, the 3DS enables users to access high-definition images of select masterpieces, allowing a closer look at artistic details impossible to observe from a distance. The device’s geolocation feature is particularly beneficial in helping navigate the vast, intricate layout of the Louvre, spanning 782,910 square feet, thereby preventing visitors from losing their way.

Remembering the Innovation

Over a decade ago, Nintendo figures Satoru Iwata and Shigeru Miyamoto showcased how the 3DS effectively served as an audio guide and navigational tool within the museum. Their demonstration remains a testament to the innovative application of gaming technology in educational and cultural settings.