Confirmed at the end of today’s Nintendo Direct live stream, it was revealed that the beloved franchise would see a new instalment launch next year.
The short Nintendo Direct trailer confirmed that this would be a new mainline game in the series, meaning the full variety of gameplay fans have come to expect.
Such an announcement has been predicted before the show, with rumours of a new Animal Crossing appearing earlier this month.
It’s been a while since Animal Crossing fans have been treated to a new, fully-fledged entry in the beloved series.
The last mainline Animal Crossing game – A New Leaf – was released back in 2012 on the 3DS.
The Wii U did have an Animal Crossing game called Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival, but this was a spin-off party game.
Animal Crossing is one of the few Nintendo franchises that doesn’t have a presence right now on the Switch, but that will all change in 2019.
Another surprise announcement from tonight’s Nintendo Direct is that Animal Crossing’s mascot Isabelle will be a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.