Professor Layton Was Supposed to End Until Nintendo Stepped In

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. This article delves into LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino's comments regarding the long-awaited sequel's development.

A Decade-Long Hiatus Ends Thanks to Nintendo

After a nearly ten-year break, Professor Layton's return was announced at Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024. LEVEL-5 revealed that while they considered the series concluded with Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, Nintendo's influence proved crucial. Hino stated that "Company ‘N’" (clearly referring to Nintendo) strongly encouraged the studio to revisit the steampunk world of Professor Layton. He emphasized the significant push from Nintendo to create a new game, highlighting their desire to see the series continue.

This involvement isn't surprising, given Nintendo's close ties to the franchise. The series flourished on the Nintendo DS and 3DS, with Nintendo publishing many titles and recognizing Professor Layton as a key exclusive. Hino explained that Nintendo's support motivated him to create a new game that would meet the quality standards of modern consoles.

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

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 investigation involves Gunman King Joe, a legendary gunslinger, adding a thrilling element to the narrative.

The game will retain the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by collaboration with QuizKnock, a renowned puzzle-creation team. This partnership aims to address the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which deviated from the core series formula.

For more details on gameplay and story, please refer to our related article.