Professor Layton Returns After Surprise Nintendo Intervention

Professor Layton's Return: A New Adventure Fueled by Nintendo

The renowned Professor Layton is back with a brand-new adventure, and Nintendo played a pivotal role in making it happen. LEVEL-5, the developer behind the beloved puzzle-adventure series, recently shared insights into the long-awaited sequel's development.

A Decade-Long Hiatus Ends Thanks to Nintendo

Following a nearly ten-year break, Professor Layton's return was confirmed at Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024. LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino revealed that while the team considered Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy a fitting conclusion, pressure from "Company ‘N’" – widely understood to be Nintendo – spurred the creation of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

Hino stated that "Company ‘N’" strongly encouraged the studio to revisit the steampunk world of Professor Layton. This makes sense considering Nintendo's significant involvement with the franchise's success on the Nintendo DS and 3DS platforms. Nintendo not only published many Layton titles but also viewed the series as a key exclusive for those systems. Hino explained that the positive feedback prompted LEVEL-5 to develop a new game that would meet the quality standards of modern consoles.

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam: A New Mystery Awaits

Set a year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, the new game reunites Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke Triton, in the bustling American city of Steam Bison. Their investigation centers around a puzzling mystery involving Gunman King Joe, a legendary gunslinger lost to time.

The game retains the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time crafted in collaboration with QuizKnock, a renowned puzzle-creating team. This partnership aims to recapture the magic of the original Layton games, following mixed reception for Layton's Mystery Journey, which featured Layton's daughter.

Learn more about the gameplay and storyline in our dedicated article!