Games / Adventure

Professor Layton and The New World of Steam

Adventure · PuzzleE10+

4.1

User rating

110 ratings

Price TBAeShop

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Prices checked 14 Oct 2026

Professor Layton and The New World of Steam

Trailers

Screenshots

Professor Layton and The New World of Steam screenshot 1

Our take

At $17.99, this game's a decent buy for puzzle enthusiasts and fans of the series. While it brings familiar mechanics and charm, it doesn't break new ground. The lack of revolutionary features could leave some players wanting more.

This latest installment in the Professor Layton series feels familiar yet enjoyable. The hand-drawn visuals maintain that charming aesthetic while the puzzle designs offer a mix of classic and new challenges. However, some puzzles fall a bit flat, recycling ideas from earlier titles, which may disappoint long-time fans. Performance-wise, the Switch 2 doesn't always deliver smooth frame rates, especially during cutscenes where animation gets a little choppy. The story is engaging, with rich lore tying back to previous games, but the absence of online features like downloadable content feels like a step back. Overall, it's a solid addition, though it may not satisfy those looking for significant innovation.

Pros

Over 150 new puzzles provide solid brain-teasing content
Strong narrative ties to previous Layton games keep the lore engaging
High-quality hand-drawn art style captures the series' charm

Cons

Some puzzles can feel repetitive and lack variety in their design
Performance issues with occasional frame rate drops during cutscenes
Missing online features that were available in previous titles, like downloadable content

Players will jump between dialogue sequences and logic puzzles as they unravel the mystery of Dr. Schrader's death. You'll interact with quirky NPCs, solve riddles, and use the touch controls to manipulate the environment. Expect to see the classic adventure mechanics of item collection and clue gathering, all while managing your puzzle-solving skills in real-time.

On Switch 2

On Switch 2, the game runs adequately but stumbles with occasional frame drops. Handheld mode is where you'll most appreciate the tactile touch controls for solving puzzles, letting you interact fluidly with the vibrant art.

Who it's for

This game is perfect for die-hard Layton fans and puzzle lovers who enjoy a good mystery. If you're looking for groundbreaking mechanics or expansive online features, though, you might want to skip this one.

About

Puzzle master Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke, have stumbled upon another mystery. It’s up to them to navigate their way through numerous puzzles to determine who – or what – caused the death of Professor Layton’s mentor, Dr. Schrader. Was it the mysterious Elysian Box, rumored to kill all who open it? Professor Layton and Luke find a train ticket for the Molentary Express, a clue that begins their adventure. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box™ features a riveting new mystery and more than 150 new brain teasers, riddles and logic puzzles that challenged and delighted players in the first game. Beyond the puzzles found in the game, players with a broadband Internet connection who connect their Nintendo DS™ systems to Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection will get access to downloadable bonus puzzles. A new puzzle will be available each week for 33 weeks after the game launches. The new game includes a significantly greater amount of voice work and animated movie scenes compared to the original. As of May 20, 2014, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for Nintendo DSi and Wii systems has been retired. Online features of this game are no longer available after this date but this game still provides an entertaining experience in offline mode. To learn more about this service change, please visit To learn more about this service change, please visit support.nintendo.com/servicesupdate.