Professor Layton Was Supposed to End Until Nintendo Stepped In

Professor Layton Returns: A New Adventure Fueled by Nintendo

Professor Layton, the renowned puzzle-solving professor, is back for a brand-new adventure, and it's all thanks to a nudge from Nintendo. This long-awaited sequel is finally happening, and LEVEL-5's CEO has revealed the story behind its development.

Nintendo's Encouragement Leads to a Sequel

After a nearly decade-long absence, Professor Layton's return was a surprise to many. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5, the creators of the puzzle-adventure series, shared insights into the decision-making process that led to Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino revealed that, while the prequel Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy felt like a satisfying conclusion, Nintendo's strong encouragement played a pivotal role in bringing the series back. Hino stated that a significant push from "Company ‘N’" (a clear reference to Nintendo) convinced them to revisit the steampunk world of Professor Layton. The close relationship between Nintendo and the Professor Layton franchise, which flourished on the Nintendo DS and 3DS, makes Nintendo's involvement unsurprising.

Hino emphasized that the desire to deliver a high-quality experience on modern consoles, coupled with Nintendo's belief in the series, influenced the decision.

A New Mystery in Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

Set a year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, the new game reunites Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke Triton, in Steam Bison, a vibrant American city powered by steam technology. They'll face a new mystery involving Gunman King Joe, a legendary gunslinger from the past.

The game promises the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by the collaboration with QuizKnock, a renowned puzzle creation team. This partnership aims to address concerns raised by the previous game, Layton's Mystery Journey, which received mixed reviews.

Learn more about the gameplay and story of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam in our related article!