'Animal Crossing 3DS' resurfaces, now with StreetPass visitors

After a surprising absence at E3, Animal Crossing 3DS has resurfaced during tonight's Nintendo Direct livestream, now titled -

After a surprising absence at E3, Animal Crossing 3DS has resurfaced during tonight's Japanese Nintendo Direct livestream, showing off some new features utilizing the handheld's StreetPass functionality.

The game allows new visitors to come to your town — which is to say, the town you're mayor of — using StreetPass. Just as denizens could move between memory cards in or over WiFi in installments past, you can swap neighbors with ... well, a real-life neighbor by bringing your 3DS in close proximity to their 3DS. That could make gaming events like PAX a veritable orgy of townfolk swapping.

The short trailer shown during the livestream also included a few familiar elements from the franchise's past installments: Fishing, interior design and elbow-rubbing with the locals.

The game is due out in Japan this fall. The U.S. Nintendo Direct presentation woefully lacked any mention of Animal Crossing 3DS.