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 the details of LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino's comments regarding the long-awaited sequel's development.

A Decade-Long Hiatus Ends Thanks to Nintendo

After a nearly ten-year absence, Professor Layton is returning, largely due to encouragement from Nintendo. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5, the developer, revealed that while they considered the series concluded with Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, Nintendo's influence spurred the creation of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino stated (via AUTOMATON) that Nintendo's strong encouragement was instrumental in the decision to revisit the steampunk world. He indicated that the series' conclusion felt "beautiful," but the significant push from "Company ‘N’" (a clear reference to Nintendo) ultimately changed their minds.

Nintendo's Significant Influence

Nintendo's involvement is understandable, given their close ties to the franchise. The series flourished on the Nintendo DS and 3DS, and Nintendo not only published many Professor Layton titles but also highly values the series as a key exclusive for those platforms. Hino mentioned that positive feedback from Nintendo regarding the potential for a new game, leveraging the capabilities of current consoles, was a deciding factor.

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

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 filled with steam-powered technology. Their new adventure involves unraveling a mystery surrounding Gunman King Joe, a legendary gunslinger.

The game will maintain the series' focus on challenging puzzles, this time incorporating expertise from QuizKnock, a renowned puzzle-creation team. This collaboration aims to address the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which deviated from the established formula. For further details on the gameplay and story, please refer to our related article.