Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is a puzzle adventure game released for the Nintendo DS by Level-5, with Nintendo handling publishing duties outside Japan. The game stars the famous archaeologist Hershel Layton and his young apprentice Luke Triton as they investigate the mysterious death of Layton's mentor, Dr. Andrew Schrader. The trail leads them to the Elysian Box, a cursed artifact said to kill anyone who opens it. Players follow the duo aboard the Molentary Express, a luxury train that carries them across the countryside in search of answers. The core gameplay blends a charming hand-drawn story with over 150 brain teasers, logic problems, sliding puzzles, and riddles. Each puzzle awards Picarats, a points system that tracks the player's skill and rewards persistence. The hand-painted art style, voiced cutscenes, and orchestral soundtrack give the title a distinct storybook feel that sets it apart from typical handheld releases of its era.
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Screenshots

256 MB · NDS ROMs
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Specifications
| Platform | NDS ROMs |
|---|---|
| Genre | Adventure |
| File Size | 256 MB |
| Developer | Level-5 |
| Updated | Jun 22, 2026 |
Overview
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is a puzzle adventure game released for the Nintendo DS by Level-5, with Nintendo handling publishing duties outside Japan. The game stars the famous archaeologist Hershel Layton and his young apprentice Luke Triton as they investigate the mysterious death of Layton's mentor, Dr. Andrew Schrader. The trail leads them to the Elysian Box, a cursed artifact said to kill anyone who opens it. Players follow the duo aboard the Molentary Express, a luxury train that carries them across the countryside in search of answers. The core gameplay blends a charming hand-drawn story with over 150 brain teasers, logic problems, sliding puzzles, and riddles. Each puzzle awards Picarats, a points system that tracks the player's skill and rewards persistence. The hand-painted art style, voiced cutscenes, and orchestral soundtrack give the title a distinct storybook feel that sets it apart from typical handheld releases of its era.
The second entry in the Layton series builds on the formula of Curious Village with deeper side activities and three new mini games. Players can brew tea recipes for thirsty travelers, repair a broken camera and snap photos to spot hidden details, and dress a friendly hamster to help him slim down through exercise. Hint Coins remain hidden throughout each town, letting stuck players reveal clues without losing progress. The game offers weekly puzzle downloads through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, adding fresh content long after release. Beyond the main story, secret puzzles open after completion, and bonus content rewards thorough players who solve every challenge. The Diabolical Box runs about 20 to 25 hours for a standard playthrough, with completionists spending much longer hunting every Picarat. Its mix of cozy storytelling, lovable characters, and clever puzzle design earned high praise from critics and fans, cementing the title as one of the strongest entries in the entire Layton catalog and a must play for Nintendo DS owners.