NiGHTS into Dreams is getting an HD remake, all is right with the world

Posted By: Michael Lacerna In: Console News, Gaming News, PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360 On: 06 Jul

NiGHTS into Dreams was the game that was originally positioned as the Sega Saturn’s “killer app.” Today Sega announced an HD remake of the game, which means that Sonic Team’s cult favorite opus is effectively going to be the killer app for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC as well.

The new HD version of the NiGHTS apparently features “enhanced graphics.” Sega has yet to elaborate on what they mean by that, but judging by the trailer above, it looks like Sega has redone a few of the character models and smoothed out the textures of the original version. Retro purists will be happy to know that the new remake also includes the original Saturn version in all it’s pixelated glory. It’s currently unconfirmed whether the HD version of NiGHTS will include all of the bonus content from the Christmas NiGHTS promo disc.

NiGHTS may not have been the million seller that Sega hoped and needed it to be back when it was originally released, but the game has since achieved a legendary reputation among hardcore gamers since then, so it’s nice that Sega is giving everyone a second opportunity to play one of the best games of all time (in my humble [yet correct] opinion.) Everything about NiGHTS is great: the simple yet addictive gameplay, the bizarre but charming art style, and yes, even that terrible ending theme grows on you after awhile. NiGHTS is one of my favorite games of all time, and it, along with Phantasy Star Online, are the two biggest reasons why Sega used to be my favorite video game company.

I’ve been a fan of Sega ever since the Genesis (a.k.a. the Mega Drive to the rest of the world,) and while Sega was an integral part of my childhood, they’ve spent the majority of my adult life kind of… well, kind of completely sucking ass. Occasional great flukes like Valkyria Chronicles and Sonic Colors aside, I think even the most hardened of Sega fanboys has to admit that the company hasn’t quite been the same since the Dreamcast was discontinued. Despite spending the better part of the last decade releasing garbage like Iron Man 2 and Sonic Unleashed, I’ll still always love Sega for the amazing titles they released during the Genesis, Saturn, and Dreamcast eras, and Sega seems happy to cash in on my nostalgia with copious re-releases of their most beloved titles… and hey, I’m not complaining. As long as they’re giving us ports of games like Jet Set Radio and NiGHTS, I might as well just send Sega my debit card and PIN number.

NiGHTS into dreams HD currently has no release date, but Sega has confirmed that it will be digitally distributed on PSN, Steam, and Xbox Live Arcade. Anyone who missed out on NiGHTS on the Saturn (and considering how poorly the Saturn sold, that’s probably a lot of you,) should do themselves a favor and buy this game when it comes out. Oh, and one last bit of advice: if you’re curious about the game, don’t ruin things for yourself by playing NiGHTS’ terrible Wii sequel in the meantime. That game was a goddamn tragedy.