Does anyone remember the dark old days when Nintendo rarely spoke to fans directly, leaving us hanging for weeks, sometimes months with little official word on what's going on? Those days seem like part of a distant past since Nintendo Direct broadcasts began in earnest this year. We never have long to wait before the next video, whether it's a "mini" or of the full-fat variety, and it's reassuring that Nintendo has so much to tell us about.

After lots of Wii U hype in recent weeks, it's time for 3DS to get some love. Satoru Shibata, boss of Nintendo of Europe, will be hosting this video and telling us all about what's coming up on the handheld in the next couple of months. We expect release dates and the excitement they bring, but maybe something else is coming. We've had the mysterious eShop maintenance that's just been completed, and the appearance of Game Boy Advance box art on Nintendo of Europe's press site. These could be two red herrings combining for the ultimate tease, or it could be a nice update to the 3DS Virtual Console.

You can follow it with us in the video stream below, we'll be live-texting as it happens and, of course, you can merrily jump into the comments section. Come on Shibata-san, don't let us down.

Live Text - Updates will load here automatically, no need to refresh the page.

22:37

We've now written up most of the big stories from this evening's festivities, on our home page.

21:18

We have our man downloading Liberation Maiden now. He may be giggling with glee.

20:35

As we retweeted earlier, Liberation Maiden is now available in the European eShop for £7.19

20:02

We're going to start writing all this up. Share your excitement and/or disappointment in the comments below.

19:57

Hydroventure also on the way to NA, aka Fluidity: Spin Cycle on 27th December

19:54

Fallblox arrives in NA as Crashmo, dated 22nd November.

19:46

Liberation Maiden isn't there yet, patience is a virtue. Guild01 lives, these 3 also coming to NA.

19:40

Don't forget that Liberation Maiden from SUDA 51 should be in the eShop right about... now

19:40

We're rather pleased about three months of new Japanese eShop downloads.

19:39

That's all folks, quite short really (especially without the crash in the middle). Thoughts?

19:38

White 3DS XL Bundle confirmed with a copy of Mario Kart 7

19:37

As we've seen before, some genuine Cross-Play going on with Wii U version of MH3 Ultimate

19:37

Looks nice for a 3DS game, could be epic with local multiplayer if you can find friends with the game.

19:36

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate 3DS footage time, visuals look close to Tri on Wii

19:34

It's the sequel to 999, which is enough for most, we imagine.

19:34

Virtue's Last Reward confirmed for November, courtesy of the marvellous Rising Star

19:32

Awesome guitar music ahoy!

19:31

Devil Survivor: Overclocked arrives in Europe on 3DS this year, long overdue too

19:30

Liberation Maiden from SUDA 51 available from eShop right after this Nintendo Direct!

19:29

These all look fun, Crimson Shroud has epic music.

19:28

SUDA 51's Liberation Maiden, Crimson Shroud and Aero Porter on the way to eShop, next 3 months

19:27

Oh, video jump. Professor Layton's latest arrives on 26th October.

19:25

Denpa Men: They Came by Wave coming to Europe this year, and we loved it in our review.

19:25

Glitzy trailer time: Nano Assault EX on eShop. Wow, it's rather pretty.

19:24

Hydroventure: Spin Cycle hits in December, looks rather good

19:23

Hana Samurai is coming for eShop on October 11

19:21

Pullblox to go on sale on eShop, 6 weeks of sales from Oct 4th

19:21

Fallblox is here, taking over from Pullblox for download soon

19:19

New Style Boutique arrives on 16th November, HYPE!

19:18

Various NSMB2 tricks being shown, no sound so subtitles instead...

19:17

Custom Art Academy lesson coming through SpotPass, learn to draw a goomba.

19:17

The video is back, hooray!

19:12

Nintendo's really building the tension by cutting the broadcast, it must be said

19:10

The upcoming announcement was so big that the video went down here, there and everywhere (including the Nintendo of Europe page).

19:09

Looks like Nintendo have broken UStream...

19:07

Pikachu 3DS Xl, previously out in Japan, on the way to Europe "later this year"

19:06

Pokedex 3D Pro on 8th November, don't forget the freebie will disappear before then

19:05

Pokemon Black & White and Dream Radar both arrive on 12th October, but we knew that

19:03

Paper Mario Sticker Star arrives in Europe on 7th December

19:02

Paper Mario: Sticker Star is first up.

19:00

OK, so it looks like this is a 16, Zombi3D?

18:58

GBA on 3DS Virtual Console could happen, the rumour's had some legs.

18:56

Five minutes to go means common-sense time. No, there'll be no Majora's Mask 3D...

18:55

Instead of random we should have said "crazy", there's more chance of Mario starring in an FPS than Satoru Shibata announcing Majora's Mask 3D today...

18:51

Ten minutes to go means random speculation time. Majora's Mask 3D, anyone?

18:50

@GazPlant makes a good point - "Looking forward to seeing what random location Shibata and his omnipresent Goomba figure have travelled to today"

18:48

If you want a drink and snacks, or maybe your favourite pair of Mario slippers to keep your feet warm as you watch, then we suggest you hurry up.

18:43

So, no news yet of a Nintendo of America Nintendo Direct to match this, interesting...

18:39

So, what's everyone hoping for today? Our team demands a Paper Mario release date, as well as a "Ha, gotcha!" to confirm that Luigi's Mansion is actually out at Halloween. We're not holding our breath for the second one, though.

18:31

Less than 30 minutes to more Nintendo Direct goodness. Put the kettle on.

16:33

Is your body ready?