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Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre

by Tyler Ohlew - December 25, 2013, 7:31 pm EST
Total comments: 4

Are you ready to visit the Louvre on your Nintendo 3DS system?

Like a comic book villain, the "Are Video Games Art?" debate is an entity that comes back to haunt us at every turn. Time goes by, all seems quiet, then BLAM! Watch out, Batman! That-game-company's next project is right behind you! This isn't my foray into that argument. Instead, I want to bring your attention to a game that is art, Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre.

I suppose I am stretching the definition of "game" to fit my comparison, as Nintendo and Indieszero made no attempt to inject gameplay into the experience. When compared with Nintendo's previous efforts at educational software, one wonders whether Nintendo had any involvement at all in the development of Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre. Louvre doesn't contain any of that Nintendo charm: there are neither disembodied heads nor goombas in sight.

While this release lacks fan service, its absence isn't an oversight. This software is purely for educational use, a simulation of an actual trip to the famed museum. Guided tours begin with simple introductions, footsteps echo throughout the hallways, and trips up the escalator are all part of the experience. Not only does Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre act as a virtual tour, but it aims to be a companion piece to the real deal. Users are able to highlight their favourite works of art, and the software will create a set of directions and act as an audio guide.

While its feature-set is in some ways thorough, its lack of interactivity damages Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre. Despite successful trips to the Royal Ontario Museum and Ontario Science Center, my oldest daughter couldn't muster any interest in this software. While my experience is completely anecdotal, it drives the point home that for as much as a simulation as it strives to be, it lacks the hands-on feeling of actually being there. Those trips my daughter enjoyed drew her in because she was encouraged to participate, and not to solely play the role of an observer.

Perhaps there remains a lesson to be learned here after all. Before all else, the Louvre functions as a keeper of history. The facility and its staff educate, maintain, and enable the study of artwork so that visitors may understand the importance of expression. Nintendo, too, can and should preserve its own history. Their efforts are made visible through the Virtual Console and various software releases like Kirby's Dream Collection and Super Mario All-Stars. While Nintendo's intentions thus far have been good, there is a lot of work left to be done. Not knowing if or when I will be able to play Yoshi's Island on the Virtual Console is a shame, and Nintendo must remedy that. Nontheless, it's undeniable that Nintendo has a rich history that goes far beyond video games. Nintendo should reflect on its roots and consider novel ways in which gamers may learn about how the company came to be what it is today.

Talkback

azekeDecember 25, 2013

Quote:

While its feature-set is in some ways thorough, its lack of interactivity damages Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre

They should have added a mode where you're given a flamethrower and can burn the paintings.

Evil Venus de Milo would be final boss. ;)

ghostViDecember 26, 2013

This needs to be on the Wii U.

jarodeaDecember 26, 2013

I'd give it a go for free, but not something I'd spend more than $2 to get.

Quote from: ghostVi

This needs to be on the Wii U.

Given the resolution of the 3DS this does seem like something that should be on the Wii U at a minimum.

EiksirfJanuary 21, 2014

I'm disappointed by this, I expected this to be impressions of someone visiting the Louvre and using their 3DS rental service to tour the museum. This software is probably born from that partnership? Neat idea.

I wonder if there'd be any value in an educational brand of software like these. Say, a collection of Shakespeare on one disc or an instructional algebra game that let you use the stylus to work on math problems.

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Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre Box Art

Genre
Developer Nintendo
Players1

Worldwide Releases

na: Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre
Release Dec 02, 2013
PublisherNintendo
jpn: Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre Bijutsukan
Release Nov 27, 2013
PublisherNintendo
RatingEducational
eu: Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre
Release Nov 27, 2013
PublisherNintendo
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