The good professor and his young...companion returned for their second puzzle filled adventure in 2009. Boasting all new puzzle types and a steam train, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box doesn't stray far from its predecessor. Then again, it didn't need to.

Matthew Blundon: There were a ton of great DS games released in 2009, and compiling my list was quite a feat. In the end, I felt as though Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box deserved a nod for supplying gamers with a very lengthy and top-notch puzzle title. While the ending wasn't quite as spectacular as that of Professor Layton and the Curious Village, everything else was turned up a notch. The adventure was more compelling this time around, and the puzzles were more difficult than before.

Luke, stop being creepy.

Andy Goergen: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box picks up where its predecessor left off. Featuring dozens of unique and fun puzzles, wonderful animation and voice acting, and an interesting story, the second Layton title doesn't feel too dissimilar to Professor Layton and the Curious Village; more of the same is definitely a good thing as far as this series is concerned. As the Layton series has blossomed to five titles already in Japan, with a sixth on the way, we can rest assured that the good professor and his apprentice are here to stay.