Everybody loves a good puzzle, and Professor Layton discovers a lot in his journey. The Professor Layton series is a set of games that follow an archaeologist named Hershel Layton as he reveals the truth surrounding many mysteries. Each game can be enjoyed as a standalone, but there is a linear plot you can follow. If you’re new to the series, this guide will help you know how to play every game in order.
How to play the main Professor Layton games in order
Professor Layton games always come in sets. Today, we have the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, and a new chapter that begins with The New World of Steam. Think of it like you're consuming Star Wars! And just like Star Wars, the best order to play the games is to start with the original trilogy before playing the prequels.
- Professor Layton and the Curious Village (Nintendo DS)
- Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (Nintendo DS)
- Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (Nintendo DS)
- Professor Layton and the Last Specter (Nintendo 3DS)
- Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (Nintendo 3DS)
- Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy (Nintendo 3DS)
- Professor Layton and The New World of Steam (Nintendo Switch)
Professor Layton also has a spin-off crossover game called Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. It’s set somewhere between Diabolical Box and Unwound Future.
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There is also a spin-off on the Nintendo Switch that features his daughter called Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy. Though, like most Professor Layton games, you can treat it as a standalone. Katrielle is also journeying for different reasons, a separate story from Herchel’s.
Will the Professor Layton games be ported to the Switch?
So far, there hasn’t been any news on whether or not Level-5 will port the old Layton games to modern consoles. We think it’s unlikely—only because these games were programmed for the 3/DS, which featured a dual screen. Still, we have DS games like The World Ends With You and Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective on the Switch, so there might be a chance.
This guide will be updated with any new announcements, but feel free to follow the official Twitter account @LaytonSeries for real-time updates.
If you’re a puzzle solver looking for more stuff to solve, check out Best Free Virtual Escape Room Games and What is an ARG? Best Alternate Reality Games here at Pro Game Guides.
