Nintendo Direct: Animal Crossing info & screen blow-out

Animal Crossing is the focus of Nintendo's latest episode of Nintendo Direct. The stream showed gameplay, customisation and lots more. Get the info blast below

The game follows a similar format to previous entries, in which you play a city dweller who moves to a quaint village full of friendly animals. You can fish, grow crops, shake trees for apples and go on boat rides that take you to a tropical island full of mini-games.

Nintendo showed off some new and returning features during its live stream, including the new megaphone item which, when equipped, lets you shout at residents via your 3DS microphone.

If you head north, you can cross over the railway tracks and into the big city. Here you will find Tom Nook's new furniture stores, and shops run by his kids.

There's also a new footwear store called 'Shoe Shank' that is run by a a skunk wearing a flat cap.

The museum is back, and is where all of your captured bugs and fish are stored. Although somewhat sadistically, there is a revolving sushi bar in the aquarium.

On top of that there is an entertainment venue called Club 444, which is puts on live gigs. Resident musician K.K. Slider will put on gigs, but not just his usual acoustic sets. Now K.K. can hit the decks and play DJ sets, complete with auto-tune vocals and light shows. It's awesome.

There is also a photo booth, where you can take snaps of your character for your player license, and you can even pull off cheeky poses.

Rather than just have interior furniture, the game also gives you the option of buying new garden accessories, such as plants, hydrants, and even a hedge sculpture in the shape of Mario's fire flower power-up.

There are more areas to explore beyond the traditional village, such as plazas, shopping districts and more. There's even a new mini-map on the lower screen in case you get lost.

It's looking fun, and as always, incredibly charming. Check out some grabs from the stream below.

More to follow.