Professor Layton Returns: Nintendo Revives Beloved Franchise

Professor Layton is back! A new adventure awaits, and Nintendo played a key role in making it happen. Discover the story behind the long-awaited sequel.

Professor Layton's Puzzle-Solving Continues

Nintendo's Influence on the Sequel

After a nearly decade-long absence, Professor Layton returns in Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. LEVEL-5, the series' developer, credits Nintendo for the game's creation.

At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino, in conversation with Yuji Horii (Dragon Quest creator), revealed that while Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy felt like a fitting conclusion, Nintendo ("Company ‘N’") strongly encouraged a new entry.

Hino stated (via AUTOMATON), "The series concluded briefly... We had a strong push from Company ‘N’." This reflects Nintendo's significant involvement with the franchise, given its success on the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Nintendo published many Layton titles and considers the series a DS highlight.

Hino added, "Hearing their opinions, I thought it would be good to make a new game so fans could enjoy the series at the level of quality provided by the latest console."

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

Set a year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, the new game reunites Professor Layton and Luke Triton in Steam Bison, a vibrant American city powered by steam technology. They face a new mystery, involving Gunman King Joe, a gunslinger "lost to progress," as revealed in the trailer.

The game maintains the series' signature puzzles, this time enhanced by QuizKnock, puzzle experts known for innovative brain teasers. This collaboration is particularly exciting for fans, given the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which starred Katrielle Layton.

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