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 almost a decade, Professor Layton returns. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5 revealed the circumstances surrounding the announcement of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino, in conversation with Yuji Horii (creator of the Dragon Quest series), explained that while they considered Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy a satisfying conclusion, Nintendo ("Company ‘N’") strongly encouraged a return to the steampunk world. Hino stated that "Company ‘N’" actively pushed for a new game, recognizing the series' potential.

This involvement isn't surprising, considering Nintendo's significant role in the franchise's success on the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Nintendo published many Layton titles and values the series as a key DS exclusive. Hino emphasized that the encouragement led to the decision to create a new game leveraging the capabilities 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 mysterious figure from the past.

The game maintains 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 see our related article.