Yes, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, and to the original Nintendo Switch too, on December 10, 2026. Switch 2 and Switch pre-orders have not opened yet: LEVEL-5 says it will announce them later, while the PS5 and Steam versions are already up for pre-order at $64.99.
Below we cover how the two Nintendo versions differ, when the game unlocks, where you can pre-order today, whether there is a boxed copy, and every other platform it is on. Our news story on the PS5 and Steam pre-orders has the full bonus details.
The Switch 2 and Switch Versions
LEVEL-5 is releasing two separate Nintendo versions, a Nintendo Switch 2 version and a Nintendo Switch version, and Nintendo itself announced the game for both systems in its September 9 Nintendo Direct. Nintendo of America’s recap of that Direct says the game “launches for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch on Dec. 10.”
The official product page adds three rules that matter if you are choosing between them:
- No upgrade path. The Nintendo Switch version cannot be upgraded to the Nintendo Switch 2 version.
- Switch 2 only means Switch 2 only. The Nintendo Switch 2 version cannot be played on a Nintendo Switch.
- The Switch version on a Switch 2 stays a Switch game. If you play the Switch version on a Switch 2, its features and performance match the Switch version.
So if you own a Switch 2, or plan to buy one, the Switch 2 version is the one to get. There is no “Switch 2 Edition” upgrade to fall back on later, unlike games such as Pikmin 4. Buy the Switch version only if you will play on a first-generation Switch.
What the Switch 2 version adds over the Switch version is not spelled out. LEVEL-5’s product pages do not list Switch 2 extras such as resolution, frame rate or mouse controls, and Nintendo has not detailed them either.
Release Date and Unlock Time
LEVEL-5 lists December 10, 2026 as the release date for every platform. That is the Japan date, so in the Americas some stores unlock on December 9:
| Platform | Release date | Unlock time |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 | December 10, 2026 | Not announced |
| Nintendo Switch | December 10, 2026 | Not announced |
| PlayStation 5 | December 9, 2026 (US store) | 10:00 AM Eastern |
| PC (Steam) | December 9, 2026 (US store) | Not listed |
The PlayStation Store gives 10:00 AM Eastern on December 9, which is exactly midnight on December 10 in Japan. The Steam page shows December 9 for US buyers without a time. Nintendo gives December 10 for both of its versions and has not posted an unlock time, and there is no eShop pre-order yet.
Where You Can Pre-Order Now, and the Price
Digital pre-orders opened on PS5 and Steam at midnight Japan time on November 12, which was 10:00 AM Eastern on November 11. Both charge $64.99, and LEVEL-5 announced them on the series’ official X account.
For Switch 2 and Switch, the picture is:
- Price: LEVEL-5’s English product page lists one digital price, USD 64.99, under all four platforms, Switch 2 and Switch included. Nintendo’s US store has no listing to show a price yet.
- Pre-orders: LEVEL-5 says “Pre-order information for the digital versions on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch will be announced at a later date.”
- Nintendo’s store: we found no product page for either version on Nintendo’s US store. Nintendo’s Australian site has a page for the Switch version that shows the December 10 date with no price and no pre-order option.
The pre-order bonus is the Layton Series Soundtrack Selection, 11 pieces of music from across the series that you play from the Secret Content menu. LEVEL-5 lists it under “All Platforms”, and it goes to anyone who pre-orders the digital version by 11:59 PM Japan time on December 9 (9:59 AM Eastern that day). If you want it on Switch 2 or Switch, watch for LEVEL-5’s pre-order announcement before that deadline.
Is There a Physical Switch 2 Copy?
Only in Japan, as of now. LEVEL-5’s Japanese product page lists a boxed version for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch only, marked as Japan only, at 7,920 yen including tax, with store-specific bonuses at Japanese retailers. The English product page lists the digital version alone, and LEVEL-5 has not announced a boxed release for the Americas or Europe.
The Other Platforms
The full platform list on the official site is Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Steam. There is no Xbox version listed.
- PS5: $64.99 digital, unlocking at 10:00 AM Eastern on December 9 in the Americas.
- PC (Steam): $64.99, Windows only, with 64-bit Windows 11 listed as the operating system and the hardware specs still to be announced. The store page says the Steam Deck supports touchscreen controls.
The Steam page lists full voice acting in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Japanese and Korean, with Traditional Chinese as a text option.
If this is your first Layton game, the series started on the Nintendo DS, and Curious Village sits on our best Nintendo DS games list. For what else is coming to Nintendo’s new console, see our best Switch 2 games of 2026 and our upcoming game releases calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Professor Layton and the New World of Steam a Switch 2 exclusive? No. It is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and PC through Steam.
Is Professor Layton and the New World of Steam on Switch 1? Yes. LEVEL-5 is releasing a separate Nintendo Switch version on December 10, 2026, the same day as the Switch 2 version.
Can you upgrade the Switch version to the Switch 2 version? No. LEVEL-5’s product page says the Nintendo Switch version cannot be upgraded to the Nintendo Switch 2 version, so pick the Switch 2 version if you play on a Switch 2.
Can you play the Switch 2 version on a Switch? No. The Nintendo Switch 2 version does not run on a Nintendo Switch, Switch OLED or Switch Lite.
When do Switch 2 pre-orders open? LEVEL-5 has not given a date. It says pre-order information for the Switch 2 and Switch digital versions will be announced later.
Is there a physical Switch 2 version? Only in Japan so far. LEVEL-5’s Japanese site lists a boxed release for Switch 2 and Switch marked as Japan only, and its English site lists the digital version alone.
How much does it cost on Switch 2? LEVEL-5’s English product page lists one digital price of $64.99 for all four platforms, but Nintendo’s US store has no listing for it yet.