Nintendo DS Introduces Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer

Nintendo's latest Animal Crossing spinoff game is set to release in fall 2015. The title of the game is Happy Home Designer. Players can design and decorate the interior of animals' houses. Happy Home Designer is compatible the Nintendo 3Ds and 2Ds, Nintendo's portable gaming systems.

Animal Crossing is a popular simulation games series where the user gets to control an animated human character. The role of the character in the game is to interact with animals and carry out a range of activities. Animal Crossing and its various spinoffs have sold over 23 million units.

Nintendo of America announced the release via Twitter on Wednesday. The game company also revealed new features to go along with the game. Animal Crossing is introducing amiibo cards, cards that can be scanned on the DS to unlock new characters.

Previously, plastic toys were used. The cards are easier to collect and carry. Gamers who own a console without a near field communication (NFC) reader can purchase card readers separately.

"An NFC reader/writer accessory for Nintendo ?#3DS and ?#2DS will launch alongside Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. ?#NintendoDirectNA," Nintendo America tweeted on Wednesday.

Nintendo has a new line of downloadable content (DLC) packs for Mario Kart 8, the racing simulation game. Gamers can download Animal Crossing characters into Mario Kart. It will hit the shelves of gaming stores on April 23.