Released in 2008, twelve years after the game debuted on the Saturn, this PS2 release not only bundles the original game and (most of) Christmas NiGHTS onto one disc but also includes the option of playing them both with a significant graphical overhaul too.
The remake version improves the visuals in every area – previously 2D Pians and Marens are now full 3D objects, the draw distance is greatly enhanced, new effects have been added and everything is much more detailed than before. The FMV sequences have also been cleaned up and look much sharper than they used to.
If these updates feel unwelcome then the player can at any time select Sega Saturn mode from the main menu and play an exact copy of the original instead. Save files are identical across both the remake and the original version, so nothing is lost if the player decides to experiment or compare the two.
While most things were kept – Christmas NiGHTS still retains its time-sensitive easter eggs and extras such as the Nightopian viewer and picture galleries some things were lost. There is no two player mode on this PS2 pack, and the playable extras from Christmas NiGHTS (time attack, score attack and Sonic mode) are gone.
The Nightopia Pack below was a limited edition that included a reprint of a hardback storybook that was originally sold in very limited numbers when NiGHTS was first released on the Saturn. The game itself is identical between the standard and Nightopian editions, and has been made to resemble the Japanese Saturn packaging as closely as possible. A translation of the story book can be found here.
Wish there were more saturn rereleases, this shows that it is possible. I have a chipped saturn myself so the lack of saturn games being released doesn't bother me but would love for other people to experience the delights of games like Panzer Dragoon Saga.
They did some fantastic jobs on the Sega Ages line - Dragon Force and the Athelete Kings collection are brilliant, and I've hear dnothing but good things about the Dynamite Deka pack too. The Panzer Dragoon one was a bit lacklustre, but you can't win 'em all :)
Ah, I've never seen the contents of the Nightopia Dream Pack before now. Very pretty! I especially like the cover of the storybook. I actually own a copy of the regular version of this re-release, but I've yet to play it since I don't yet own a Japanese PS2. Maybe if I pick up a copy of Fantasy Zone Complete Collection soon it'll force me to finally pick up a Japanese PS2, too :)
You don't have a Japanese PS2 Bryan? Buying one of those is like opening the gates to a whole new world of gaming! :D
The storybook's beautiful and between that and the complete OST they released at the same time (rather than a simple reprint of the old incomplete OST) it really felt like they cared about giving NiGHTS fans something special with this game.
Kimimi: Nope, no Japanese PS2. Just a North American one. I really need to buy one soon, though, since I have a bunch of Japanese PS2 games that I've never played :| Also, it would be nice to be able to play all of my Japanese PS1 games on my TV (as opposed to on my computer through an emulator).
Kimimi: Just kill me already! You had a pearlescent pink PS2? And you just gave it away or sold it?? Argh!!! :P
Why'd you do that, BTW -- get rid of it?
Seriously, I'm so mad at myself for missing the pink PS2s that were released in Japan during the system's heyday. Nowadays they're nearly impossible to find in NA, even on eBay.
I have a feeling I'll just buy a regular ol' black, gray or white one eventually. I'm sick of just staring at my Japanese PS2 games :|
I sold it when I got my Japanese PS3, IIRC. I've found over the years I'm much happier with standard hardware than with the fancy stuff - I end up worrying too much about keeping it mint when I should just be using it to play my games :)
I remember when they offered those pink PS2s... I was tempted, but went with metallic blue instead.
I'm a little surprised Nights wasn't part of the official Sega Ages lineup, but I'm happy that it got released. And happy that I have it! Didn't realize it had an upgraded mode, since I haven't played it yet...
I think the only reason it wasn't a part of the Sega Ages line was due to the price - 3800 Yen for the standard edition, when Sega Ages were (in theory) more around the 2500 price point. Worth every penny though! :D
10 comments:
Wish there were more saturn rereleases, this shows that it is possible. I have a chipped saturn myself so the lack of saturn games being released doesn't bother me but would love for other people to experience the delights of games like Panzer Dragoon Saga.
They did some fantastic jobs on the Sega Ages line - Dragon Force and the Athelete Kings collection are brilliant, and I've hear dnothing but good things about the Dynamite Deka pack too. The Panzer Dragoon one was a bit lacklustre, but you can't win 'em all :)
Ah, I've never seen the contents of the Nightopia Dream Pack before now. Very pretty! I especially like the cover of the storybook. I actually own a copy of the regular version of this re-release, but I've yet to play it since I don't yet own a Japanese PS2. Maybe if I pick up a copy of Fantasy Zone Complete Collection soon it'll force me to finally pick up a Japanese PS2, too :)
You don't have a Japanese PS2 Bryan? Buying one of those is like opening the gates to a whole new world of gaming! :D
The storybook's beautiful and between that and the complete OST they released at the same time (rather than a simple reprint of the old incomplete OST) it really felt like they cared about giving NiGHTS fans something special with this game.
Kimimi: Nope, no Japanese PS2. Just a North American one. I really need to buy one soon, though, since I have a bunch of Japanese PS2 games that I've never played :| Also, it would be nice to be able to play all of my Japanese PS1 games on my TV (as opposed to on my computer through an emulator).
I wish I'd met you sooner - I used to have a pearlescent pink Japanese PS2 you could have had! ^^~
Kimimi: Just kill me already! You had a pearlescent pink PS2? And you just gave it away or sold it?? Argh!!! :P
Why'd you do that, BTW -- get rid of it?
Seriously, I'm so mad at myself for missing the pink PS2s that were released in Japan during the system's heyday. Nowadays they're nearly impossible to find in NA, even on eBay.
I have a feeling I'll just buy a regular ol' black, gray or white one eventually. I'm sick of just staring at my Japanese PS2 games :|
I sold it when I got my Japanese PS3, IIRC. I've found over the years I'm much happier with standard hardware than with the fancy stuff - I end up worrying too much about keeping it mint when I should just be using it to play my games :)
I remember when they offered those pink PS2s... I was tempted, but went with metallic blue instead.
I'm a little surprised Nights wasn't part of the official Sega Ages lineup, but I'm happy that it got released. And happy that I have it! Didn't realize it had an upgraded mode, since I haven't played it yet...
I think the only reason it wasn't a part of the Sega Ages line was due to the price - 3800 Yen for the standard edition, when Sega Ages were (in theory) more around the 2500 price point. Worth every penny though! :D
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