The End of an Era - Louvre Museum Concludes Nintendo 3DS Guide Partnership After Over a Decade
After more than a decade of innovation and collaboration, the Louvre Museum in Paris recently announced the conclusion of its unique partnership with Nintendo to provide visitors with interactive 3DS consoles as museum guides. Launched in 2012, this initiative marked a pioneering use of gaming technology to enhance cultural experiences, transforming the way millions of visitors explored the world’s most visited art museum.
The Birth of a Unique Partnership
In April 2012, the Louvre introduced a revolutionary multimedia guide system, developed in collaboration with Nintendo, that utilized the then-new Nintendo 3DS handheld consoles. At a time when smartphones were not yet ubiquitous, this partnership offered visitors a novel way to engage deeply with art through interactive audio and visual commentary. Nintendo provided 5,000 specially adapted 3DS systems to the museum, which visitors could rent at a nominal fee.
This initiative—known as the Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre—featured cutting-edge technology of its time, including 3D imagery, over 700 artworks with detailed descriptions, and more than 30 hours of curator-led audio commentary. Its capability to use geolocation features allowed visitors to create a tailored tour of the museum, making the exploration of masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo both dynamic and personalized.
A Trailblazer in Museum Technology
The Louvre’s decision to employ the Nintendo 3DS as an official museum guide was groundbreaking. It melded the worlds of gaming and cultural heritage, providing an interactive museum guide experience before the era of smartphones fully took hold. The handheld device allowed users to not only learn about the artworks but also navigate the vast Louvre galleries via an interactive map.
Since its launch, the guide gained immense popularity among visitors of all ages, seamlessly bridging education and entertainment. It also extended beyond the museum walls, as Nintendo offered the guide as a downloadable application on the Nintendo eShop, and as a physical game cartridge sold in the museum’s gift shops.
The Shift to Modern Technology and The End of an Era
However, as technology evolved, the limitations of the Nintendo 3DS became apparent. The handheld console was eventually overshadowed by Nintendo’s newer consoles, particularly the Switch, which debuted in 2017, with 3DS production ceasing in 2020.
Simultaneously, the rapid rise of smartphones equipped with sophisticated apps gradually rendered dedicated devices like the 3DS less compelling for everyday users. Today, museum visitors typically rely on their mobile devices for augmented reality tours, digital audio guides, and interactive maps.
Reflecting these changes, the Louvre officially ended its Nintendo 3DS museum guide partnership in September 2025. As of now, the museum has not announced plans to replace the 3DS guide system, leaving visitors and tech enthusiasts curious about the next chapter in digital museum experiences.
The Legacy of the Louvre-Nintendo Collaboration
The collaboration between the Louvre and Nintendo remains a remarkable example of how museums embraced innovative technology to enhance visitor engagement. Bringing together Nintendo’s expertise in interactive entertainment with the Louvre’s cultural heritage goals, the partnership set a precedent for immersive museum experiences worldwide.
For over 13 years, the Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre helped millions discover art in novel ways, blending education, technology, and fun into one compact device.
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Images of the Nintendo 3DS Guide hardware in use at the Louvre museum.
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Screenshots of the interactive tour interface featuring artworks like the Mona Lisa.
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Archival photos from the Louvre highlighting the visitor experience.
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Photos of the Nintendo 3DS console, showcasing its 3D screen technology.
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FAQ
Why did the Louvre choose the Nintendo 3DS as their museum guide?
When the partnership began in 2012, smartphones were not yet widespread. The Nintendo 3DS offered 3D functionality, interactive maps, and rich multimedia content, making it a pioneering interactive museum guide solution.
How long did the Nintendo 3DS guide service last at the Louvre?
The service lasted over 13 years, from its launch in April 2012 until its conclusion in September 2025.
What features did the Nintendo 3DS guide provide?
It contained over 700 artworks with detailed images, videos, and 3D representations, over 30 hours of audio commentary, and location-based tours tailored to visitors’ real-time positions inside the museum.
Why was the partnership ended?
The rise of smartphones and newer gaming consoles, like the Nintendo Switch, diminished the relevance of the 3DS. The Louvre has not yet announced plans for a direct replacement.
Can visitors still get the Louvre guide on Nintendo platforms?
The guide was once available as a digital download on the Nintendo eShop and as a physical cartridge sold in the museum gift shop, but these are likely discontinued following the end of the partnership.