Nintendo Showcases Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Photo Mode

One of the big new features in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the NookPhone, a smartphone-like device that Tom Nook gifts you shortly after you move into your new deserted island home. The NookPhone comes loaded with a variety of apps that offer different features, including a camera that lets you take screenshots, and now we have a better look at how this will work. [For more on the game, check out our Animal Crossing: New Horizons review-in-progress.]

The official Animal Crossing Twitter account shared some new footage of the NookPhone's camera app in action. This app activates the game's photo mode, allowing you to zoom in and take screenshots to your liking. You can also apply a variety of different filters to the shots, and screens you take will be save directly to your Nintendo Switch's photo album.

That's only one of the many features the NookPhone offers. You'll also use the device to track Nook Miles--points you accrue as you play the game and complete certain tasks, such as picking weeds and learning new crafting recipes. You can use the NookPhone to call another player who lives on your island for a couch co-op session, as well.

New Horizons also supports the real-life Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app in a clever way. Shortly after the game launches, Nintendo will roll out a companion service called NookLink, which can be accessed through the NSO app and lets you scan QR codes for patterns created in the series' 3DS games (New Leaf and Happy Home Designer) and voice and text chat with other players while you play online.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons launches for Nintendo Switch on March 20. We recently had a chance to check out the game at PAX East, where we got to see its beautiful museum and learn that you can snitch to Isabelle. You can read more about the title in our roundup of everything we know about New Horizons.