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. Read on to discover LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino's insights into the long-awaited sequel's development.

A Decade-Long Hiatus Ends Thanks to Nintendo

After a near ten-year absence, Professor Layton's return is official, and it's largely due to the influence of a certain big-name gaming company. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5, the creators of the puzzle-adventure series, shed light on the behind-the-scenes story leading to the announcement of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

In a conversation with Yuji Horii, creator of the Dragon Quest series, at TGS 2024, LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino revealed that while they considered the series concluded with Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, the influential "Company ‘N’" (widely understood to be Nintendo) encouraged a return to the steampunk world.

Hino stated (as reported by AUTOMATON), "The series concluded briefly, almost 10 years ago. Individuals within the industry strongly advocated for a new game...we received significant encouragement from Company ‘N’."

Nintendo's Influence

Nintendo's involvement is unsurprising, given their long-standing relationship with the franchise. The series flourished on the Nintendo DS and 3DS, with Nintendo publishing many titles and considering it a key exclusive.

Hino explained, "Hearing this feedback, I believed creating a new game, allowing fans to experience the series with the quality of a modern console, would be beneficial."

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam: A Glimpse into the Adventure

Set a year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam reunites Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke Triton, in Steam Bison, a vibrant American city powered by steam technology. They'll face a new mystery involving Gunman King Joe, a "ghost gunslinger" lost to time.

The game retains the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by QuizKnock, renowned for their innovative brain teasers. This collaboration is particularly exciting for fans, following the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which starred Layton's daughter. Learn more about the gameplay and story in our related article!