The third game in the best puzzle-based series around, Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, has had its release date moved up a full week. Yes, you and I will be able to play the latest Layton in all its glory beginning September 12. I suppose Level 5 decided that we'd waited long enough, considering the game was released in 2008, in Japan.

Here's a quick blurb from Nintendo's press release:

"Professor Layton and the Unwound Future places the professor and his trusted apprentice at the center of a spellbinding adventure after they receive a strange letter sent from 10 years in the future. Players must wind their way through more than 165 mind-bending puzzles as they decipher clues and strive to unlock a time-twisting mystery that threatens to plunge London into chaos."

The unwound future was previously scheduled for September 20, so it's being bumped up a full eight days. This moves it away from an unfavorable weekend where it would have competed against Civilzation 5, Two Worlds 2, and Test Drive Unlimited 2. The new slot will place Layton all by its lonesome with a few days in either direction open, perfect for maximum sales.

It's no secret that I'm a huge Professor Layton fanboy. I've gone through each of the previous games multiple time, making sure to find and complete every single puzzle. Of course, it isn't the puzzles that attract me, it's the incredibly fun and adventurous story. A story that never seems to get as much credit as it deserves.

Puzzle Agent, a similarly styled game which I reviewed favorably last week, managed to satiate my urges briefly, but this news has renewed my excitement for more Layton. At the same time, it's horribly disappointing considering the next two games are already released in Japan and likely years from release in North America. Think positively, Rory!

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is due fore release September 12, 2010 for the Nintendo DS.