Nintendo Europe reveals a couple of new pieces of information about the upcoming DS incarnation of Animal Crossing.

Nintendo's official European site has uploaded a preview of the quirky life-simulation. It's mentioned that the town's shopkeeper Tom Nook will once again be back, as will several of the other familiar Animal Crossing residents from the GameCube version.

New for the DS version however, players will be able to brush up their characters' appearance in the beauty salon, and enjoy a clearer view of the game overall as the graphics engine has been overhauled especially for the DS.

Full wi-fi play is confirmed, as is the fact that the game's internal clock will continue during this mode - so when you visit your friend's town at night-time, it'll be night-time in the game. Four players can enter into the same town via wireless LAN or using the DS online service which is to launch at the end of the year.

A release date has yet to be confirmed - presumably as Nintendo are still finalising their online plans for the DS in Europe, but we expect the title to be out close to the end of the year. More news soon!