NiGHTS shows to have ambition, and in the end succeeds in offering a unique and satisfying experience.
The game is set up as an arcade-styled flight simulator. You choose one of the two children, who are completely vulnerable, and move them over to what is called the Ideya Palace. That's where you get to transform into the jester NiGHTS. You navigate NiGHTS on-rails in a 2.5-D fashion where you gather orbs and fly through rings to rack up points. Once you have collected enough blue chips you get to destroy a capsule containing a special orb that you need to take back to the Ideya Palace. You will have to be quick since you are under a time limit. Once time is up you will turn back into a human and then you will have to slowly navigate back to the best of your ability. Once you gathered all of the orbs you are awarded a grade and then you get to face a boss. The game certainly shows to have the fast-paced action of an arcade game (as well as being relatively short like one) and controlling NiGHTS going through loops and turns a breeze. However, NiGHTS is best controlled with the Saturn 3-D analog pad. Controlling NiGHTS with a normal D-Pad will simply wear out your thumb way too quickly. The kids are a problem to deal with regardless of what controller you use since the have slow and clunky movements, but thankfully you don't deal with them often.
What really makes this game stand out is it's aesthetic presentation. This is simply one of the best looking Sega Saturn games. The shows to be fantastic from a technical standpoint, but it truly shines in it's art design. It's a very unique, "dream-like" setting full of vivid colors and creative environments and character designs. Even the bosses are rather inventive and imaginative. The music is also very catchy, often beautiful, and suits the game perfectly.
To sum things up:
PROS:
-Fantastic graphics and art design
-Great music
-Smooth controls (at least with the 3-D analog pad)
CONS:
-D-Pad wears out your hand
If you want to experience something really unique and different, and just so happen to own a Saturn or want to buy one, then by all means try this game out.