Forget Pokémon, There’s Only One Game I Care About in the Upcoming Nintendo Direct

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There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the upcoming Nintendo Direct, with rumors swirling around games like “Pokémon Legends: Z-A” and a possible new release for “Animal Crossing”. While I am excited to return to Kalos and wouldn’t mind another chance to get engrossed in “Animal Crossing”, the game that has me truly eager for this quarter’s Nintendo Direct is “Professor Layton and the New World of Steam”. Given that it has been mentioned in two previous Directs this year, I can’t help but feel it’s about time we get an update on everyone’s beloved archaeology professor.

The Professor Debuted On the DS to Great US Success

The initial Layton series installment, titled “Professor Layton and the Mysterious Town,” debuted in the US on Nintendo DS in 2008 and rapidly gained popularity. For three weeks post-release, it ranked as the top-selling DS game. Its success can be attributed to its distinct style, as well as its combination of puzzles, mini-games, and captivating narrative. However, some players and critics found the intertwining of puzzles and storyline less engaging, stating that the game’s mystery was too straightforward. Contrary to visual novels, “Mysterious Town” offers minimal guidance.

Despite the first game, the remainder of the Layton series garnered even more acclaim and eventually became one of the most successful exclusive games on the DS platform. By June 2018, Level-5 announced that they had sold over 17 million copies of the six games, making it their most successful game franchise to date. Although the series’ popularity waned over time, with each subsequent game generating less buzz than its predecessor, it continued to maintain a dedicated fanbase, myself included.

As a longtime fan since my ninth birthday, I can’t help but reminisce about those captivating games that drew me in with their unique worlds teetering on the edge of reality. The magical blend of fantastical elements and everyday life felt so authentic yet dreamlike, leaving an everlasting impression. Now, at 24 years old, I find myself eagerly anticipating diving back into the intriguing world of Layton. If only Nintendo and Level-5 would reveal the much-coveted release date!

Layton Was Left off the Switch, It’s Time For Him to Return

Although Professor Layton games were popular on Nintendo DS and 3DS consoles, none have been introduced for the Switch since then. The last game released, Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy, came out in 2017, and ever since there has been no hint or release of a new one. Many fans like myself had given up hope for another game due to the lukewarm reception of Katrielle’s storyline and characters. Some even thought that Level-5 had exhausted their ideas for the Layton series.

Until February 8th, 2023 (when a Nintendo Direct was held), there hadn’t been any news about the seventh mainline game in the Professor Layton series, titled New World of Steam. This Direct only revealed the game without a release date, but another Direct in March provided some insight into the setting, storyline, and characters that would be featured. Regrettably, no new information was shared until November, when it was announced that the game would be releasing in 2025. Now, as we near the end of 2025, we’re eagerly awaiting the return of Professor Layton on a Nintendo Switch console.

With the Direct Set To Run for an Hour, Layton News Is Likely

According to the announcement, the September Nintendo Direct will last an hour, providing ample opportunity for updates related to Professor Layton. I’m eagerly anticipating a confirmed release date and gameplay trailer for the upcoming title. Given that it’s expected to launch before the end of the year, there’s a good chance my expectations will be met. We’ve already had two glimpses of Layton this year, and another appearance would make things perfect.

I’ve been eagerly waiting for a game like this ever since I completed (or didn’t finish) the intriguing adventure “Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy”. This year, there isn’t another game I’m more excited about than this one. While other announcements in the Direct will be exciting, for fans who thought they had lost hope in this lesser-known but fantastic series, the real treasure is “Professor Layton and the New World of Steam”. I can only dream of an earlier release date similar to that of Silksong, but I’ll gladly take any Layton news at this point.

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2025-09-11 17:41