Louvre's 3DS Audio Guide Service Ends After 13 Years
May 07, 2025 6:48 PMThe Louvre Museum is set to discontinue its 3DS audio guide service after 13 years of collaboration with Nintendo, effective September 2025. Launched in 2012, the service provided museum visitors with handheld 3DS consoles featuring custom software for audio commentary on artworks. A more comprehensive version, Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre, expanded the experience with additional multimedia content. However, with the discontinuation of the 3DS and a shift in Nintendo's focus to the Switch, the future of this partnership is uncertain. Visitors are awaiting details on what new system may replace the 3DS guides.
What will happen to the Louvre's audio guides after the 3DS service ends?The Louvre plans to replace the 3DS audio guides with a new system, though details about this new offering have not yet been announced.
The collaboration between the Louvre and Nintendo was notable not only for its innovative use of technology in enhancing the visitor experience, but it also reflected a unique intersection of gaming and cultural education. Launched in December 2011, the partnership aimed to modernize museum audio tours, allowing guests to interact with art in a more engaging manner. As museums continue to seek ways to incorporate technology into their experiences, this partnership stands out as a pioneering model that may influence future developments.
Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
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Sephiroth commented on: 2025-05-07 19:06:07
It’s bittersweet to see such a quirky crossover fade away—where else could you flex both your art history knowledge and your 3DS nostalgia at the same time Here’s hoping the replacement keeps that same playful spirit, even if it’s not Nintendo-branded.
N3rdo commented on: 2025-05-07 18:54:09
Man, it’s wild to think the 3DS outlasted its own audio guide service—guess even gaming hardware can’t escape retirement. Kinda hope the Louvre’s next guide has some Switch vibes, but part of me will miss the charm of holding a 3DS in a museum.
