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Professor Layton is regarded as one of the most legendary detectives in video games, but the order of the Nintendo games isn’t exactly straightforward. This is particularly inconvenient if you want to experience his adventures from start to finish. We’ll solve this puzzle for you and explain the connections between these modern classics.
Here is the chronological order of the Professor Layton games
The story of Professor Layton and his friend and assistant Luke Triton begins just as explosively as it ends. Although the games were not released in the following order, the list follows the life stories of the two main characters.
- Professor Layton and the Call of the Phantom: The fourth instalment in the puzzle series centres on the first meeting between the Professor and Luke. Puzzle enthusiasts will also be joined by his assistant, Emmy Altava, as they attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding Misthallery and the ‘Demon Flute’.
- Professor Layton and the Mask of Wonders: The adventure involving the Phantom and the civilisation of Aslant, which the Professor is investigating, continues in this instalment. The endless circles, the mask and the masked gentleman keep the two puzzle-solving detectives on their toes.
- Professor Layton and the Legacy of Aslant: As the grand finale of the Aslant trilogy, this story takes players around the globe. In search of the Sanctuary of Aslant, Professor Layton, Luke and a colleague of the Professor’s named Desmond Locklair embark on an exciting journey by airship.
- Professor Layton and the Mysterious Village: Chronologically, this game comes after the Aslant series, even though it was released first. The professor and his apprentice are invited to Saint Mystère to resolve an inheritance dispute. The baron who lives there has decreed that only the finder of a golden apple shall receive his fortune. Whilst searching for the heirloom, the puzzle-loving duo find themselves in one mysterious situation after another.
- Professor Layton and Pandora’s Box: Deadly dangers lurk in the fifth instalment of the Layton series, which was the second to be published. Whilst Layton and Luke search for a friend of the Professor’s and a fateful little box, the pair encounter some unexpected characters, some of whom readers may already recognise from *Saint Mystère*.
- Professor Layton and the Lost Future: In the final instalment of the series, Luke receives a letter from the future. Together with the Professor and an old acquaintance, he sets out to solve the mystery of time.
- Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy: As a sequel to the puzzle games, the Professor’s daughter Katrielle opens a detective agency and must solve twelve cases in a very short space of time whilst trying to find her missing father.
- Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: A minor spin-off, the timing of which is not specified, this instalment of the series involves testing interrogation techniques and solving thrilling puzzles. The Professor, the lawyer Phoenix Wright and their assistants set out to unravel the mystery of Labyrinthia.
The order of the puzzle games by release date
Although the chronological order makes sense, the games were not released in the correct chronological sequence. Instead, the puzzle games were released in Germany almost annually from 2008 onwards and only roughly follow a pattern.
- First trilogy: ‘Professor Layton and the Curious Village’ (2008) was the first to be released, followed by ‘Professor Layton and Pandora’s Box’ (2009) and ‘Professor Layton and the Lost Future’ (2010).
- Second trilogy: You’ll discover the backstory of Luke and the Professor bit by bit through “Professor Layton and the Call of the Phantom” (2011), “Professor Layton and the Mask of Wonders” (2012) and “Professor Layton and the Legacy of Aslant” (2013).
- Sequel: To date, the only game in the series centred on the Professor’s daughter, Katrielle, is “Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy”, which was first released in Germany in 2017 and has even been available for the Switch since 8 November 2019. The game is currently the latest in the Layton series.
- App versions: Incidentally, two of the games are now available as apps for Android and iOS, namely “Professor Layton and the Curious Village” (2018) and “Professor Layton and Pandora’s Box” (2019).
