Could Nintendo's Mario be swapping power blocks for the chalkboard?

The man behind the massively popular videogame franchise and the best-selling Wii console says he's devoting most of his energy to turning Nintendo Co.'s DS handheld consoles into tour guides and educational aids.

Japanese video game guru Shigeru Miyamoto says the console is already being used in museums, galleries, and aquariums in Japan and that he's working on introducing the console to junior high schools in the country.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Miyamoto framed the project as part of his company's effort to broaden the audience for gaming consoles.

The designer was in London to accept an honor Friday at the GAME British Academy Video Games Awards.