Professor Layton: new game for Japan soon, Miracle Mask revamp inbound

Level-5 has shared two interesting bits of Professor Layton news today - a release date for its latest game, and a special re-issue of most recent effort Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask.

Both bits of news come courtesy of this week's Famitsu. According to Siliconera's translation, a new version of Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is due on February 6, marking the game's debut on the Japanese eShop.

The digital release, which includes a plus symbol in the title to distinguish it from the core retail version, includes new events, animations and puzzles as well as a tutorial and hints for Ruins mode. All daily puzzles will be unlocked on purchase.

It's not clear whether we'll see this version in the west, although it's unlikely to be for at least six months in any case. the same applies to the newest Professor Layton game (and second 3DS entry), The Azran Legacies, which has a fresh new Japanese release date of February 28, again according to Siliconera.

Each copy of The Azran Legacies, which is the third entry in a prequel series, will come with a random bonus goodie, up to and including bronze figures and 18K gold coins.

The Professor Layton series now boasts six core entires plus spin-off Professor Layton vs Ace Attorney.