Posted by boyo on Dec 1, 2010 21:44 (Dec 1, 2010 21:44)
In some ways, it seems unfair or illogical to include Christmas NiGHTS in our nostalgic wintry gaming rundown, since this was a noticeably short two-level demo of a game that was already released.
On the other hand, the extravagant, busy and brightly textured sheen of the parent game means it slots right into the seasonal celebrations quite seamlessly - even when the characters aren't wearing Santa hats and jingle bells chime placidly on the snow hastened breeze. NiGHTS Into Dreams was also perfectly timed to entice UK gamers into shelling out for the superb, yet sadly struggling, fifth gen console for Chrimbo '97, so the few Saturn gamers out there will undoubtedly associate Claris and Elliot with yuletide amusement.
But whether or not you owned the original game, this intricately clockworked spin-off is a vital addition to any Saturn selection box. The Japanese first saw Christmas NiGHTS as a free chuck in to their console bundle a year earlier than us, and it wasn't until winter 1997 until this well-wrapped beauty tumbled down our gaming chimneys as a giveaway on the official SEGA magazine.
Featuring the standard level one for Claris, and a revised level one for Elliot, this was a frugal taster for people who'd not already taken the plunge and picked up one of the most celebrated games of all time. But quite remarkably, once the internal clock ticked over into December, the landscape of the two sample levels changed. Elf costumes filled the sky, presents with big freakin' bows on top hid collectable surprises and Christmas trees hung in the air in exactly the same way the bricks don't (to quote the great Douglas Adams). The music suddenly rang with a melodious choir of sleigh bells, and a bitter, snow filled wind nipped at NiGHT's noble nose as snow balls burst into crisp white powder all about him.
As the year went on, and different holidays ticked by on the Saturn's calendar (Valentine's Day, Easter, New Years), Christmas NiGHTS changed accordingly. Repeatedly completing the demo awarded presents, and a host of unlockable content (even playing as Sonic, or NiGHTS evil twin, Reala) became available. What at first seemed to be rudimentary, wafer thin slice from a much bigger picture revealed itself to be a digital Russian doll.
Understandably, this has becoming something of a (increasingly less available) necessity for SEGA Saturn owners, and a vital addition to the retro Christmas staple. A remarkable achievement for what's essentially a cover disk giveaway, but in fact is a tremendous present from Sonic Team that keeps on giving each and every year.
I find those Nights games dead hard. I bought the Wii one expecting them to have made it easier for todays audiences but I still only got about 5 levels into it.
What is next for the xmas theme game? I remember there being a xmas Monty Mole game free with some magazine on the Spectrum. I think there was a Dizzy xmas game too.
Dec 3, 2010 20:21:02 (
Dec 3, 2010 20:21
)
