Release Dates

02/10/07

02/15/07

11/7/08

04/10/08

Level-5, developer of Dragon Quest VIII and Rogue Galaxy, has released a new IP for a new trilogy. The game is titled "Layton Kyoujuu to Fushigi na Machi" ("Professor Layton and the Mysterious Town"). In this game players assume the role of Professor Layton and a boy named Ruke, voiced respectively by Yo Oizumi and Maki Horikita. The game begins when the two, in search of an inheritance left behind by the wealthy Alan Reinford, visit the mysterious town of the title. They're greeted with a series of mysteries that require puzzle solving on the part of the player.

The puzzles of Mysterious Town take on a variety of forms, including geometry, number and quiz games. In one example, you have to use three cups to measure out an exact amount of water. Another example shows you a picture of two barbers and asks you whom you'd rather have cut your hair. You can ask for a hint, assuming you've found the requisite hint medallions from around town.

Mysterious Town uses the stylus for most of its controls. When moving about through town, you select your next location by pointing and tapping a map, and investigate key spots by directly tapping. The stylus is also used when solving puzzles, allowing for a bit of trial and error when presented with a challenge.

Chiba University Professor Akira Tago supervised direction on the game's development, with Level-5 President and CEO Akihiro Hino serving as producer. Tago wrote a series of mental training books called Atama no Taisou, which went on to sell over 12 million copies. As a child, Hino was a fan of the series, prompting the start of this project.

NPD Sales Data
February 2008: 91,000

Sources
http://www.dsfanboy.com/tag/professorlayton
http://ds.ign.com/objects/859/859513.html