Professor Layton Was Supposed to End Until Nintendo Stepped In

Professor Layton, the master of puzzles and deduction, is returning for a brand-new adventure, and Nintendo played a pivotal role in bringing him back. Discover the story behind this long-awaited sequel.

Professor Layton’s Puzzle-Solving Adventures Continue

A Little Help from Nintendo

After a nearly decade-long absence, Professor Layton is back! LEVEL-5, the studio behind the beloved puzzle-adventure series, revealed at Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024 how Professor Layton and the New World of Steam came to be.

In a conversation with Yuji Horii, creator of the Dragon Quest series, LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino shared that while they considered Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy a satisfying conclusion, Nintendo’s influence proved crucial. Hino referred to Nintendo as "Company ‘N’," stating their strong encouragement was instrumental in reviving the series.

According to AUTOMATON, Hino said, "There hasn’t been a new title in almost 10 years. The series concluded briefly. Certain individual(s) from the industry really wanted us to release a new game… we had a strong push coming from company ‘N’."

This involvement isn't surprising, considering Nintendo's significant role in the franchise's success on the Nintendo DS and 3DS. They published many Layton titles and recognized the series as a key part of the DS's legacy.

Hino explained, "When I heard these opinions, I started to think it would be good to make a new game so that fans could enjoy the series at the level of quality provided by the latest console."

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam: A Closer Look

Set a year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam reunites Professor Layton and Luke Triton in Steam Bison, a vibrant American city powered by steam technology. Their new adventure involves unraveling a mystery surrounding Gunman King Joe, a legendary gunslinger lost to time, as revealed in the game's trailer.

The game will maintain the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by the collaboration with QuizKnock, a renowned puzzle creation team. This partnership is particularly exciting for fans, following the mixed reception of Layton’s Mystery Journey, which starred Katrielle Layton.

Learn more about the gameplay and story in our detailed article (link to be inserted here).