Nintendo is trying to prove that its 3DS handheld is more than just a game machine.
It’s also a way to capture art. It was given that credibility by the Magnum Gallery in Paris, where the 3DS was part of an experimental exhibit.
There was a wall of 3DS units, each one displaying slideshows of stereoscopic 3D photos.
The 3DS, of course, uses a technology known as autostereoscopic 3D, which means the flat display can display images that appear to have depth. No 3D glasses required.
This is achieved by placing a bevy of tiny mirrors within the display itself so it looks like you could reach into the display and grab stuff.
At the Paris exhibit, the photos on display were taken by professional photographers and were designed to “explore the world very differently and show the potential of 3D in photography.”
This was obviously also a publicity stunt for Nintendo, which has struggled to drum up enthusiasm for the 3DS, especially in the important US and European markets.
Many consumers have complained that there aren’t enough good games, others complained that the $250 system was too expensive, and those who actually bought it complained that it gave them headaches.
Nintendo is working to resolve those issues; it has already slashed the price and is reportedly planning a new 3DS model that tones down the 3D aspect to cure the headache concerns.
But it’s a struggle for Nintendo, one the company is not used to since it has been the reigning champion in handheld gaming since the 1990s.