Animal Crossing New Leaf

The real-time animal-friend simulator is nearly upon us.

In a streaming Nintendo Direct presentation today, the company finally announced a date for the Norther American release of Animal Crossing: New Leaf for the 3DS handheld. The publisher will unleash the life sim on June 9.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is the latest entry in Nintendo’s long-running chore simulator. This update to the franchise adds a few spins to the well-worn premise of a living a life in a small town populated by anthropomorphic woodland creatures.

Instead of paying off a debt, like players were forced to in previous versions of the game, gamers must now take on the responsibilities of town mayor.

I just hope that job still leaves me time to kick back at a K.K. Slider concert.

Click here for our full coverage of today’s Nintendo Direct.