Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams

From Sega Retro

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Christmas NiGHTS title.png

Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Sound driver: SCSP/CD-DA (18 tracks)
Peripherals supported: 3D Control Pad
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP
¥1,5001,500 610-6431
Sega Saturn
US
81067
Sega Saturn
EU
MK81067-50

Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams (クリスマスナイツ 冬季限定版) is a one level stand-alone "demo" of NiGHTS into Dreams that was released in November 1996 for the Sega Saturn.

Christmas NiGHTS was not sold in the same way as most Sega Saturn games. In Japan, it was part of a Christmas-themed Sega Saturn console bundle and not sold separately, however it was packaged in a plastic jewel case like the majority of the Japanese Saturn library. In fact, the Japanese Christmas NiGHTS clearly states "only this winter" on the box, and is always treated as a limited edition game.

In North America the game was given away with the purchase of select Saturn games such as Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition. These versions were distributed in a cardboard slip case to cut costs, much like many early Saturn bundles. Later it was distributed with an issue of the US Sega Saturn Magazine, though these versions were housed in transparent plastic sleeves to further reduce expenditure. The game was also available for rent at Blockbuster Video locations in America.

In the UK, Christmas NiGHTS was not bundled with a console, but instead included in the UK Sega Saturn Magazine in December 1997. Cardboard slip cases were used here. It is unknown whether the game saw a release in other European countries.

The game was also included in the PlayStation 2 version of NiGHTS into Dreams. The Saturn disc can also be accessed via a Windows PC for extra content, similar to other Sonic Team games.

Gameplay

Due to its freebie nature, Christmas NiGHTS is a much smaller game than NiGHTS into Dreams - there is only one level (Spring Valley - almost identical to the level seen in regular NiGHTS) however unlike the original it is playable as Elliot as well as Claris. When playing as Elliot the stage is mirrored.

Christmas NiGHTS is Christmas-themed, and so its graphics and music have been replaced with winter-esque versions of the original stage (but only in winter). For example, Ideya Captures are now giant floating Christmas trees, and NiGHTS wears red attire rather than purple. Gameplay is largely identical to the original game, including the A-Life system altered by defeating enemies.

If not played over the winter months, Christmas NiGHTS defaults to "NiGHTS: Limited Edition" and essentially acts as a no-frills demo. Between November and January it is "Winter NiGHTS" and during December, "Christmas NiGHTS".

Unlike NiGHTS into Dreams however, Christmas NiGHTS has a number of unlockable extras (or "presents") which include the ability to experiment with the game's music mixer, A-Life system, and even play the stage as Sonic the Hedgehog. Under the "Sonic the Hedgehog into dreams" mode, the player is restricted to traveling on foot, and instead of tackling the level's original boss, Gillwig, Sonic is put against an inflatable balloon version of Dr. Eggman in a battle similar to Puffy from the "full" game. The boss music is a mash-up of both Puffy's original theme, "She Had Long Ears", and "Final Fever", the final boss battle music from the Japanese version of Sonic CD.

Interestingly this qualifies as Sonic's first "true" 3D outing - Sonic Jam, Sonic R and the Saturn version of Sonic 3D were all released in 1997.

Clock Features

The visuals of Christmas NiGHTS change slightly depending on the time indicated by the Saturn's (or PlayStation 2's) internal clock.

The period between November and February is the most "active" part of the year, which scenery changing almost at an hourly rate.

Time Background Falling objects in foreground
00:00 Moon Hearts
01:00 Moon Snow
06:00 Northern Lights Snow
07:00 Sun Snow
08:00 Sun Moons
10:00 Sun Snow
12:00 Rainbow Purple gems
13:00 Sun Snow
15:00 Sun Candy
16:00 Sun Snow
18:00 Moon Snow (though less of it)
19:00 Moon Snow
21:00 Moon Stars
22:00 Moon Snow

The main part of the game is not unlocked until December, when Christmas NiGHTS mode is enabled. Here, the children wear Santa outfits, and defeating the boss (Gillwing) will lead to a credits screen.

On New Year's Day, there is a change of title screen, on Valentine's Day, hearts always fall, and on April Fools' Day, users can play as Reala instead of NiGHTS. Reala can be played at any point after the latter event is seen.

Technical information

Saving Data

The game makes use of the Saturn's internal battery back-up as well as the Saturn Backup Memory cartridge to save progress and unlockable content. In addition, you can link save data of Christmas NiGHTS with the retail version of NiGHTS into Dreams and see in-depth information of save data from the retail version.

Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams Save Data
Name Comment File Size
NIGHTS_XMAS NiGHTS dat 55
NiGHTS into Dreams Save Data
Name Comment File Size
NIGHTS___## Score data 30
NIGHTS___## A-life 197

Production credits

Cybersound™, Sega Digital Studio
Produced by SEGA

Magazine articles

Main article: Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
78 №417, p31
89 №, p9[2]
Sega Saturn
84
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
78
[3]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
95
[4]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
89
[2]
Sega Saturn
87
Based on
3 reviews

Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams

Saturn, US
ChistmasNightsBox us.jpg
Cover
ChristmasNiGHTSIntoDreams us disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, EU
ChistmasNightsBox eu.jpg
Cover
ChristmasNiGHTsIntoDreams saturn eu cd.jpg
Disc
Saturn, JP
ChristmasNights Saturn JP Box Back.jpgChistmasNightsBox jp.jpg
Cover
ChristmasNiGHTS SS jp manual.pdf
Manual

References

  1. File:SSM UK 26.pdf, page 1
  2. 2.0 2.1 Saturn no Game wa Sekai Ichi~i~i~i!: Satamaga Dokusha Race Zen Kiroku, SoftBank Publishing, page 11 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SnGwSISDRZK Book JP.pdf_p11" defined multiple times with different content
  3. Famitsu, "1996-12-13" (JP; 1996-11-29), page 1
  4. GameFan, "Volume 5, Issue 2: February 1997" (US; 1997-xx-xx), page 30



Games in the NiGHTS into Dreams Series
Sega Saturn
NiGHTS into Dreams (1996) | Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams (1996)
LCD handheld game
NiGHTS into Dreams (1997)
Sega Dreamcast
Air NiGHTS (Canceled)
i-mode 503i
NiGHTS (2001)
Nintendo Wii
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (2007)
Sony PlayStation 2
NiGHTS into Dreams (2008)
Windows PC
Xbox Live Arcade
PlayStation 3 PlayStation Network
NiGHTS into Dreams (2012)
Arcade
NiGHTS Dream Wheel (2021)
Sampler Discs
Sega Saturn
NiGHTS into Dreams Sampler (1996)
NiGHTS into Dreams related media
Music
NiGHTS Theme Song: Dreams Dreams (1996) | NiGHTS Original Soundtrack (1996) | A NiGHTS Remix: Another Dreams (1997) | NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams Game Soundtrack (2008) | NiGHTS: Hoshi Furu Yoru no Monogatari Original Soundtrack (2008) | NiGHTS into Dreams: Perfect Album (2008) | NiGHTS into Dreams (2024)
Book
NiGHTS Nice Night Tours (1996) | NiGHTS Kouryaku Guide (1996) | NiGHTS Hisshou Kouryaku Hou (1996) | NiGHTS Koushiki Guide Book (1996) | Prima's Secrets of the Games: NiGHTS into Dreams: The Official Strategy Guide (1996) | Sega Saturn "NiGHTS" Original Soundtrack (1996) | NiGHTS into Dreams (?) | NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams Official Strategy Guide (2007) | NiGHTS: Hoshi Furu Yoru no Monogatari Dream Flight Guide (2007)
Book
NiGHTS: Tsubasa ga Nakutemo Sora wa Toberu (1996)
Film
Sega Official Video Library Vol. 6: NiGHTS into Dreams (1996) | NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams: Behind the Scenes DVD (2007)