Professor Layton Was Supposed to End Until Nintendo Stepped In

Professor Layton's Return: A New Adventure Fueled by Nintendo

Professor Layton is back! The renowned puzzle-solving professor is embarking on a new adventure, and it's all thanks to a nudge from Nintendo. This article delves into the story behind the long-awaited sequel, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

The Professor's Puzzle-Solving Continues

LEVEL-5, the creators of the Professor Layton series, initially believed the series had concluded beautifully with Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy. However, a significant push from "Company ‘N’" (widely understood to be Nintendo) convinced them to revisit the steampunk world.

LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino, speaking at Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, confirmed this influence. He stated that the industry pressure, particularly from Nintendo, played a crucial role in the decision to create a new game. This makes sense considering Nintendo's close relationship with the franchise, which flourished on the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Nintendo not only published many Layton titles but also values the series as a DS flagship.

Hino explained that the positive feedback spurred him to create a new game worthy of modern consoles and the fans' expectations.

A New Steampunk Mystery

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, set one year after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, reunites Professor Layton and Luke Triton in the vibrant American city of Steam Bison. Their new adventure involves a perplexing mystery surrounding Gunman King Joe, a gunslinger lost to time.

The game maintains the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by the collaboration with QuizKnock, a renowned puzzle-creation team. This partnership aims to address the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which featured Layton's daughter.

Learn more about the gameplay and story of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam in our related article!