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.

A Decade-Long Hiatus Ends Thanks to Nintendo

After a nearly ten-year absence, Professor Layton is returning, largely due to the encouragement of a certain influential gaming company. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5, the creators of the puzzle-adventure series, shed light on the decision-making process behind Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

In a conversation with Yuji Horii, creator of the Dragon Quest series, LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino revealed that while they considered the prequel, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, a satisfying conclusion, "Company ‘N’" (widely understood to be Nintendo) strongly advocated for a new game. Hino stated (as reported by AUTOMATON), "The series concluded briefly... We had a strong push coming from company ‘N’."

Nintendo's involvement is unsurprising, given their 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 exclusive. Hino explained his decision to create a new game, stating, "I started to think it would be good to make a new game so that fans could enjoy the series at the level of quality provided by the latest console."

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 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 "ghost of a gunslinger."

The game will maintain the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by the collaboration with QuizKnock, renowned for their innovative brain teasers. This partnership is particularly exciting for fans, following the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which starred Layton's daughter.

For further details on gameplay and story, check out our related article!