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 on the long-awaited sequel's development.

A Decade-Long Hiatus Ends Thanks to Nintendo

After a nearly ten-year absence, Professor Layton returns in Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5 revealed the behind-the-scenes story. While LEVEL-5 considered the prequel, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, a fitting conclusion, pressure from "Company ‘N’" (widely understood to be Nintendo) spurred the creation of a new game.

LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino stated (via AUTOMATON) that the series' conclusion felt "beautiful," but significant encouragement from Nintendo led to the project's revival. The push from Nintendo was substantial, influencing the decision to revisit the steampunk world of Professor Layton.

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 it as a key DS exclusive. Hino explained that hearing this positive feedback from Nintendo inspired the team to create a new game that would leverage the capabilities of modern consoles to deliver a high-quality experience for fans.

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

Set a year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, the game 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.

The game retains its signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced through a 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.

Learn more about the gameplay and story in our related article!