Nintendo and the Louvre partner for 3DS-enhanced tours

By Mike Flacy December 16, 2011

Le_Louvre — Image used with permission by copyright holder

As reported earlier by the Agence France-Presse news agency, the most popular museum in the world is teaming up with Nintendo to bring 3DS handheld gaming devices to patrons of the Louvre. Nintendo is supplying the museum with 5,000 3DS devices in order to replace traditional audio-guides by March 2012. While the Paris museum has about 8.5 million annual visitors come through the doors, only four percent utilize the current audio hardware offered by the museum for tours at a cost of approximately six euros ($7.81). The museum’s head of multimedia believes that the majority of people will be happier using a touch screen rather than figure out how to work the audio guide.

While visitors that rent the Nintendo 3DS will likely pay a higher fee for the device, users will be able to see a visual representation of their location within the Louvre and choose from several themed itineraries, some of which have been targeted at children. The museum also plans to include hundreds of audio commentaries about the exhibits and record the audio selections in seven different languages. The video screens will likely be used to show current and upcoming exhibits in addition to recorded presentations. While Nintendo is developing all the content for the supplied 3DS devices, the Louvre has final editorial control on the application.

The Louvre also has smartphone and iPad applications available to download and use during a tour of the Louvre. The application allows museum visitors to share exhibits they are currently viewing on Facebook as well as read more in-depth information about each piece. While the iPhone version of the application is currently free, the iPad version comes with more high resolution photos and is a premium app purchase. Both versions of the application require at least 800MB and users are encouraged to download the application before visiting the museum.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributing Editor

By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…

Gaming

The most common Nintendo 3DS problems, and how to fix them

common nintendo 3ds problems and how to fix them d72661797c228a53b550835a16f6ff6ed709e7e8

The 3DS is one of the best gaming consoles around, with a great library built up after nearly 10 years in circulation. But the system has also run into its fair share of technical hiccups over the years. There’s nothing worse than pulling out your favorite 3DS games, only to find the system doesn't work as expected, particularly when you aren't sure how to fix them.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of known technical issues 3DS owners have been dealing with, along with some steps you can take to fix or prevent them. Some of these only apply to a particular version of the system -- the original 3DS’ design is substantially different than the New 3DS XL, for instance -- while others are issues that occur across the entire 3DS family.
How to get in touch with Nintendo

Gaming

Nintendo’s 3DS discontinuation marks the end of an era for handheld gaming

Person holding Nintendo 3DS in hands

While yesterday’s PlayStation 5 launch announcement marked an exciting moment for the future of gaming, Nintendo quietly put an end to the era of dedicated, portable gaming devices. The company confirmed that it has discontinued production of the Nintendo 3DS family of handhelds.

On paper, the decision is a no-brainer. The Nintendo Switch is a massive success for the company, bringing the worlds of console and handheld gaming together. While Nintendo maintained its position that the Switch was not a replacement for the 3DS over the years — reiterating that point last year when the Switch Lite launched — it had become increasingly clear that the 3DS was outdated within Nintendo’s new strategy.

Gaming

Nintendo 3DS nowhere to be seen at E3 2019, but apparently not yet dead

New Nintendo 3DS XL

The Nintendo 3DS will live on, even if the handheld console was entirely overshadowed by the Nintendo Switch at E3 2019.

New Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser -- who landed the top job in April, when beloved CEO Reggie Fils-Aime retired -- reiterated that the company will continue to support the 3DS. In an interview with Time, Boswer said the focus at E3 2019 was on the Nintendo Switch, and that the company had no new Nintendo 3DS games to announce at the annual video game event. But that doesn't mean Nintendo is pulling the plug on the handheld console.