Louvre replaces audio guides with Nintendo 3DS consoles

In a curious yet undeniably ingenious move, the Louvre has announced that they will replace their current audio guides with 5,000 Nintendo 3DS consoles.

Rather than typical audio guide fare, visitors to the Parisian museum will be handed their own glasses-free 3DS, with custom software for users to locate themselves within the Louvre, 3D software and hundreds of commentaries across seven languages.

"We are the first museum in the world to do this," said Louvre's head of multimedia, Agnes Alfandari, while it was confirmed the Louvre will retain editorial control, rather than Nintendo. In other words, don't expect to indulge in a few rounds of Mario Kart 7 if you get bored.

"Digital development has become a strategic issue for museums," said Louvre director Henri Loyrette. "People's habits have changed. But that offers us a huge opportunity to extend the museum's territory, and build a lasting relationship with our visitors."

Despite 8.5 million annual visitors to the world's most popular museum, just 4% use the Louvre's current audio guides, so it's understandable that the backing of Nintendo could entice tourists instead.