Christmas NiGHTS Into Dreams... (Saturn, 1997)

I don't like to review the products I buy, But I gotta say that this game is the coolest I've ever played. It was more than I expected it to be, which is GREAT. Thank you so much.

Most people think of the SEGA Saturn as a failed console. With the slump of sales due to SEGAs attempt of a 32 bit system add-on for their genesis {the 32X}, as well as the CD attachment, their 'Frankin-Genny' really killed the market and fanbase for the Saturn. Also due to some trouble marketing games, alot of 3rd person game makers felt attacked and simply didn't want to make games for the Saturn {also due to its complex architecture}. This is more apparent on the Dreamcast although.

But this review is of the game NiGHTS, as well as its sampler disc and Christmas NiGHTS.

Most people believe that this game came out with the system, which is false. The game came out when the system was slowly dieing in the US {the Saturn was a huge success in Japan, mostly US sales are what butchered the system}.

The game alone had enough essence to boost Saturn sales back up. Everyone forgot the ridiculous price tag on the console when they saw this game.

The game has massive replay value. Sure you can beat the full thing within two hours, but how good did you do? If you can save the game, which you can, you can always go back and try to best your ranks.

The game is also full of easter eggs and cameos and a few unlockables, and eventually a two player mode.

The sampler and Christmas bonus were really just too nice. The sampler came out everywhere, and sadly plaques eBay confusing people with the real game vs the sampler. The Christmas special was a true gem, featuring just a little of the game, but with so much redone that its apparent that, at this point of time, SEGA was really after your heart, not your money. Its hard to explain.

Most people rave about the music, which is truly awesome. But the game play itself is what makes the game for me. There honestly is and never will be anything like this. Anyone who calls themselves a game fanatic or SEGA fan is a liar if they don't own this.

If your looking for this game, and you have a Saturn, you might have noticed the controller floating around that sometimes comes with it. This is a true analog controller, one of the first {the exact first I believe was a peg attachment on the atari roller-ball controller? - doesn't matter, the fact is that this is the first EFFECTIVE analog controller.} This is well worth it, and the gameplay is much better with it.




A few notes to future buyers;

~Owners of a Saturn might be interested in the Japanese release of this game. This release is much cheaper in price, and its also very easy to find an Action Reply 4M Auto Plus cartridge for your Saturn {try play-asia.com}, which allows you to play ALL imported games.

~Owners of a Japanese PS2 will also be happy to hear that the game has been re-released for that console {although ONLY a Japanese PS2, not NTSC or PAL}.

~GameTap fans will soon have this game in their inventory. But without an analog controller, good luck experiencing the full effect of the game :P.

~With the concept of NiGHTS JoD {"nights 2"} out, most original NiGHTS fans {like myself} are a little let down due to the atmosphere of the new game. But this isn't a rant about the new game {it is in itself a good game...but pales in comparison}. If you love the first NiGHTS, don't expect to love the second one. Try renting it first!