The differences between this and the original are not exactly night and day...
The first thing you have to wonder is if this game is supposed to be a sequel or an expansion pack? Given that it installs and plays independently of the original, you have to assume sequel. Not to mention that they sold it for $20.
So what's different in Peggle nights? The maps are all new.The "storyline" is new and all of the characters have alter-egos that you'll discover in Adventure mode. There is the measly addition of 1 new Peggle Master. And there is a system for installing bonus map packs.
All of this sounds good on paper, but the reality is poor execution. The maps are certainly more complex than the originals, but few are as fun to play. The character dialogue is amusing and builds on the absurdity of the original, but in terms of game real estate those interactions are still just a footnote. It's amazing that they bothered to come up with alter-egos for every character and yet not outfit them with new abilities...or at least some additional game mechanic. You can actually feel the opportunities waste away as you move through the game.
Likewise, the bonus levels just serve to remind you how this entire game is just one half-step above being a map-pack itself. If you look at PopCap's official website, they're offering a whopping total of 2 bonus level packs...which...get this...are seasonally themed to the degree that you can't download the Holiday pack again until this upcoming November. One can only assume that by then, the link to the Spring Pack will be deactivated. Yeah, that makes sense. Hold the only two bonus packs hostage depending on if they're in season.
That's indicative of the kind of attitude you see in Peggle Nights. It looks like there was a decent amount of effort into making sure the game was DIFFERENT, but barely any put into making the game BETTER. The lack of widescreen or even higher-res support is criminal. You'd think they would have taken more cues from Bejeweled Twist, but no. Given that the Peggle formula works, PopCap doesn't seem to care what else they get wrong or get right.
The new Peggle Master was a step in the right direction, but instead of being a stepping stone towards a great sequel, it's the crown jewel in this...I don't know what to call it...PopCap calls it the next "Episode" in the Peggle Saga.
Peggle was huge hit and a highly-addictive game even by PopCap standards. And it was damn fun to play. Peggle Nights hasn't lost that and that's why it's still worth playing for anyone who liked Peggle. At the same time, it's barely added anything to the equation, which makes it feel more like a cash-in than a tribute.
Hopefully, one day, Peggle will get the sequel that it deserves. In the meantime, anyone looking for new Peggle content will have to dream with Peggle Nights.