Professor Layton Was Supposed to End Until Nintendo Stepped In

Professor Layton Returns: A New Adventure Fueled by Nintendo

Professor Layton, the iconic puzzle-solving professor, is back for a brand-new adventure, and Nintendo played a pivotal role in making it happen. Read on to discover the behind-the-scenes story revealed by LEVEL-5's CEO.

The Professor's Puzzle-Solving Continues

After a near decade-long absence, Professor Layton's return is a testament to the influence of a certain gaming giant. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5, the developer behind the beloved puzzle-adventure series, shared insights into the decision-making process that led to the announcement of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino revealed during a TGS 2024 discussion with Yuji Horii (creator of the Dragon Quest series) that while Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy felt like a satisfying conclusion, Nintendo’s encouragement proved instrumental in reviving the series. Hino stated that a significant push from "Company ‘N’" (widely understood to be Nintendo) spurred the creation of the new game.

This involvement isn't surprising, considering Nintendo's close ties to the franchise. Many Professor Layton titles were published by Nintendo, and the series is highly regarded as a standout title for the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Hino explained that positive feedback from Nintendo influenced the decision to develop a new game leveraging the capabilities of current consoles.

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

Set a year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, the new game reunites Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke Triton, in the vibrant American city of Steam Bison. Their investigation centers around a perplexing mystery involving Gunman King Joe, a gunslinger from the past.

The game promises a continuation of the series’ signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by collaboration with QuizKnock, renowned puzzle creators. This partnership aims to address the mixed reception of Layton’s Mystery Journey, which deviated from the core series formula.

To delve deeper into the gameplay and storyline of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, explore our related article!