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's development.

The Professor's Puzzle-Solving Continues

Professor Layton Was Supposed to End Until Nintendo Stepped In

After a nearly decade-long hiatus, Professor Layton's return is largely attributed to Nintendo's influence. At Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, LEVEL-5 revealed insights into the decision-making process behind Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino, in conversation with Yuji Horii (creator of the Dragon Quest series), stated that while they considered Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy a satisfying conclusion, Nintendo ("Company ‘N’") strongly encouraged a return to the steampunk world. Hino explained that the significant push from Nintendo prompted the development of the new game.

Professor Layton Was Supposed to End Until Nintendo Stepped In

This involvement from Nintendo is unsurprising, given their close ties to the franchise, which flourished on the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Nintendo published numerous Professor Layton titles and recognizes the series as a key exclusive title for those platforms. Hino emphasized the desire to deliver a new game that would meet the quality expectations of modern consoles.

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

Professor Layton Was Supposed to End Until Nintendo Stepped In

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 legendary gunslinger.

The game maintains the series' signature challenging puzzles, this time enhanced by collaboration with QuizKnock, a renowned puzzle-creation team. This partnership is particularly exciting for fans, given the mixed reception of Layton's Mystery Journey, which deviated from the core series' formula.

For more details on gameplay and storyline, please see our related article.