Japanese NiGHTS trailer sort of a nightmare

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 1st 2007 at 10:45AM }

Throw another Pokémon dipped in gasoline on the hate-fire of the Wii as a casual system. The trailers for NiGHTS on the Wii have been very Disney-esque so far, and this latest one above is no exception. Now they've even added some ear-bleeding Disney channel afternoon music to go with it, like the type of music you can't imagine ever got past marketing ... sort of like the Blue Dragon boss music. Yes, the song is from the original, but 10 years have gone by -- they are supposed to be marketing to a new generation, not just appeal to our nostalgia like Atari Classics Evolved. This is a new game.

Granted this is a Japanese trailer, so maybe when the marketing starts up over here they'll drop the bad vocals, go full (midi) orchestral and tone down the Disney. The real question is if those who were excited about this game before still are? It's pretty hard to drop the ball on marketing the return of NiGHTS, but boy is Sega doing its best to pull it off.

Tags: japan, NiGHTS, trailer

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Fimble @ Sep 1st 2007 10:51AM

I'll take this over heavy metal crap.

t_m @ Sep 1st 2007 12:21PM

Apparently the planned sequel is Nights: Jester Within.

Its gonna have a soundtrack featuring reworkings of the original music by Slipknot. A new look and voice actor for the Jesters. And of course lots of babes with unfeasibly large breasts.

Robotheart @ Sep 1st 2007 10:54AM

Uhhh... for the slightly uninitiated, thats the ending theme to the original nights. it's bad, but it doesnt seem like a completely retarded decision, or as out of place as the blue dragon boss tunes.

maybe someone didnt play/beat the original....?

Robotheart @ Sep 1st 2007 10:57AM

and thats including the bad vocals. AND they were in the american release, the american soundtrack, AND xmas nights.

Howd you guys miss this one?

TWiNKiE @ Sep 1st 2007 10:56AM

It isn't THAT bad......

Although, it would help If I understood Japanese.

Hito @ Sep 1st 2007 4:06PM

That's english ._.

Davit @ Sep 1st 2007 10:59AM

Let's see if Joystiq can get someone who played the original NiGHTS to post about the new one.
That was the original ending, it may not be the best song but it's not out of place.

I haven't heard it in forever and actually enjoyed the trip down memory lane. And I can bet you that is what they were going for.

DarkTetsuya @ Sep 1st 2007 3:27PM

And if I'm not mistaken that's also the song from the last level (The nonstop one, with no time recharges!)

Megaqwerty @ Sep 1st 2007 9:47PM

I haven't even played NiGHTS and that song is nostalgic for me!

But that's probably PSO for ya.

Freelance @ Sep 2nd 2007 10:14AM

It might not be my cup of tea but I can admit it fits.

Moffka @ Sep 1st 2007 11:00AM

I haven't played the first one... but after watching the horrible video along with the horrible music... I've lost all interested in this supposedly great game... *sigh* Nintendo fanboys

t_m @ Sep 1st 2007 12:14PM

Don't you mean SEGA fanboys???

samfish @ Sep 1st 2007 1:58PM

Retarded as Moffka's post was, I think you could make a strong case that Nintendo and Sega fanboys have pretty much merged into one big, super fanboy since the death of the Dreamcast.

I call it a...Segtendo fanboy.

Almack64 @ Sep 1st 2007 2:12PM

@ Samfish

I don't know how it happen but I think you're right. I was a long time Nintendo fan but I loved the Dreamcast and now I'm some sort of crazy Nintendo/Sega hybrid fan. Back in the early late 80's early 90's who would have have thought that to happen.

Mr Khan @ Sep 1st 2007 2:46PM

samfish is right, considering that PSO (an online game) sold better on the system where it was the only online game (GC) than on the system with the definitive online network (Xbox)

That evidence alone lends to the belief that the SEGA fan-corps jumped ship to Nintendo

But even though this song, under any other circumstance, would be a fallacy, as it is, it is a classic of gaming, and i would be grateful to see it back in the next game

samfish @ Sep 1st 2007 3:54PM

"considering that PSO (an online game) sold better on the system where it was the only online game (GC) than on the system with the definitive online network (Xbox)"

The Sonic collection also sold best on the Gamecube. GC also exclusively (I believe) had the Sonic Gems Collection.

Mr Khan @ Sep 1st 2007 4:17PM

In NTSC areas, Gems Collection was GC exclusive. In PAL (GC's weakest region) it was also for PS2

jorojoserojas @ Sep 2nd 2007 4:12PM

I've never noticed that Samfish, but you're right! I tend to sort of "pull" for Sega to nowadays, moreso than any other third party developer.

I think it's because Sega and Nintendo both tend to have an "old school" feeling to their games that I kind of like...Nintendo moreso than Sega, which I guess can sometimes be a good or bad thing.

Meyithi @ Sep 1st 2007 10:59AM

Aye, this was in the Saturn version. On a side note, one of the best things about the Saturn version was the "morphing" music, you'd hear the familiar stage tune but "morphed". This would be a great feature to keep hold of.

Lemina_Ausa @ Sep 1st 2007 11:15AM

Yeah this is just the song from the original US release of NiGHTS and Christmas NiGHTS. It isn't a particularly good song but if you played and beat the original, especially if you have long since gotten rid of your Saturn, the trailer will bring back the memories of the first game.

Ry @ Sep 1st 2007 11:21AM

It saddens me that you guys pick on the music when it was in the original! You guys REALLY should have at least done some research! If they drop the vocals, they lost the charm of the original game.

It sickens me greatly. Remember the history of the title. You are a journalist, do the job RIGHT!

t_m @ Sep 1st 2007 12:15PM

They aren't journalists, they are bloggers.

Nothing wrong with bloggers... unless their audience starts thinking they are journalists...

Burnt Meatloaf @ Sep 2nd 2007 3:15AM

I thought people were supposed to review things for the way they are, not by nostalgic memories. Remember... "appealing to new audiences"!

Original song or not, I think it's a fair statement to say that it's just not very well done.

Geirskogul @ Sep 1st 2007 11:21AM

For once, I have to completely disagree with Joystiq on this one. The music is from the original, and it's giving me nostalgic flashbacks just listening/watching. They're marketing this PERFECTLY from a money-making standpoint; I mean, think about it:

1: Make game super-nostalgic to cater to the now-in-their-20s original fanbase
2: Fanbase buys buys buys, influences younger gamers (including their kids, for those that have a child)
3: Profit!

Patrick @ Sep 1st 2007 11:23AM

So this is supposed to be a gaming blog? They obviously haven't even played the original NiGHTS!

This reiterates what we're all thinking.

Joystiq = anti-Nintendo. I guess they're too "hardcore" and they need to please the mainstream "hardcore" crowd. What a shame.

mr nimblewick @ Sep 1st 2007 11:54AM

Wouldn't not having played the original NiGHTS make then anti-sega fanboys?

Patrick @ Sep 1st 2007 12:14PM

That's not what I makes them anti-Nintendo, what makes them anti-Nintendo is continuously writing "discouraging" articles about the Wii, when they should just be reporting, but their fanboyism seeps through. So is Square supposed to change their music to appeal to a new audience? Or maybe George Lucas should change the score of Star Wars and add more emo music to appeal for the "new generation".

Captain Jody Anthony XVIII @ Sep 1st 2007 12:25PM

you're an idiot. they arent anti-nintendo at all (and this is coming from a self-proclaimed nintendo fanboy)

Patrick @ Sep 1st 2007 12:30PM

um. Okay. Couldn't you have stated that without the "You're an idiot" part? Maybe I would take your statement more seriously if you showed more maturity.

Kazi @ Sep 1st 2007 12:41PM

Some of their articles about Nintendo are pretty shitty, such as this one http://wii.joystiq.com/2007/08/27/lgc07-nintendo-booth-tour-reminds-us-were-not-the-target-audie/

But the same can be said about the PS3 and 360. Cept the 360 doesn't get as much seething flaming from things obviously imagined.

samfish @ Sep 1st 2007 1:42PM

I agree that Joystiq isn't anti-Nintendo at all...or anti-Sony or anti-MS.
...anti-N-Gage, however...

Although that one post about how Nintendo "abandoned" hardcore gamers that Kazi linked to WAS probably the most blatant, anti-Nintendo fanboyism I've seen since Vlad Cole (I think that was is name) said Zelda: TP sucked in his "review".

I also have to agree that the 360 gets off pretty damn easy, all things considered.
...and no, complaining about the RRoD doesn't count, 360 Fanboys. That's actually, like, a legitimate problem.

Darkness @ Sep 1st 2007 11:28AM

Like other people here, I think Joystiq forgot how the music was in the original NiGHTS. It's been a long time since I've heard this theme, but it's still catchy after all this time. However, the version in Christmas NiGHTS was better, I think. Either way, listening to this stuff really brings back memories. As long as the game captures the essence of the original NiGHTS, then I'll be happy.

With all of the people talking smack about this version of the game, you have to wonder if any of them actually played the original....

Anonymous @ Sep 1st 2007 11:25AM

Looks like someone hasn't played the original game. Go back to playing your "cool" games and leave this game for players who understand this title. Putting that song on the website was one of the best decisions SEGA could have done to hype up game and fuel the nostalgia for Sega Saturn owning NiGHTs fans.

Marasai @ Sep 1st 2007 11:28AM

SSH. Joystiq is in knee jerk "OMG wii is killing gaming!" mode. Its actually kind of funny. Reminfds me of when Blake Snow and Vladimir Cole were still posting.

samfish @ Sep 1st 2007 1:47PM

Blae Snow was a Nintendo fanboy, though. I believe he writes for Infendo.com.

vinny @ Sep 1st 2007 11:30AM

good job joystiq, all the nintendo fanboys are exploding now

Davit @ Sep 1st 2007 11:40AM

I love how defending the music from a classic Sega Saturn game makes you a "Nintendo Fanboy". Oh only if the 90s could see us now.

Robotheart @ Sep 1st 2007 12:12PM

I'm exploding as a sega fanboy more than anything. and just as someone who expects joystiq to know what the hell their talking about.

android18a @ Sep 1st 2007 11:30AM

I love this kind of music. It's SO Sega. This is the kind of music I expect from Sega games. Bring me back to the 90s, Sega!

Honestly, I can't get over how nostalgic this trailer makes me feel.

phattie @ Sep 1st 2007 11:38AM

NiGHTS is one of those elitist titles that is played by 0.0001% of the user base. These folks like to talk about NiGHTS like its the shit... while everyone else is playing Mario or Halo.

Anonymous @ Sep 1st 2007 11:46AM

You've got to be kidding me. NiGHTS into Dreams is a SEGA classic on the same level that Mario 64 is a Nintendo classic. There is nothing "elitist" about one of the best Sonic Team developed titles ever. It's an extremely enjoyable title that has been in the top 100 games list on EGM, EDGE, and other magazine/websites.

Poisoned Al @ Sep 1st 2007 12:55PM

You could say that about the system shock games, moron.

samfish @ Sep 1st 2007 2:02PM

Maybe you should play the original NiGHTS before you say it's overrated. You would probably change your tune.

That said, I really, really, really, really, really hope Sega has the brains to put the original NiGHTS on the Wii version as a bonus.
...or release it on the VC. I'm seriously hoping that's what the "September Surprise" for Wii owners is – Saturn games.

JadeMare @ Sep 1st 2007 8:16PM

Well that says a lot about what you know about the game and it's fanbase now doesn't it?

Jay @ Sep 1st 2007 11:45AM

The fact that they're staying true to the roots of the game is why I'm going to buy it. I'm glad they used the song.

And, how is Nights elitist? That's one of the more moronic comments I've ever seen online. Niche, yes -- elitist ... do you know what that word means?

Kazi @ Sep 1st 2007 12:01PM

It's only niche because the Saturn was very very unpopular in America and Europe. They didn't have Segata Sanshiro to save the system over in the States or Europe. Which is probably why this WAS MADE FOR THE JAPANESE, WAY MORE PEOPLE PLAYED IT THERE. Unfortunately as show by our oblivious blogger, this would be the reaction from most people in the states.

If it were on the PlayStation or N64 you'd bet all the naysayers would be singing a different tune about the game. I still have my doubts about the current Sega being able to pull this game off but it's not going to be because of a song you don't recognize.

And hell, if the game gets raved about and you don't get the game JUST BECAUSE OF THIS SONG you obviously have some issues you need to sort out.

reppy @ Sep 1st 2007 11:50AM

Yeah, NiGHTS is soooo kiddie now; Wii ruined it! Remember in the original when you had that chainsaw and you could totally lop off that guy's head? Man, those were the days. I remember playing it and thinking, "If the anime movie Akira and the death metal band Cannibal Corpse had a baby, it would be this game." But now?!

Quiburg @ Sep 1st 2007 11:55AM

I feel much more confident about the title after seeing that trailer, looks like they're really staying true to the original formula.

Bad form on the blogger's part - that song's a classic! :D

Meyithi @ Sep 1st 2007 11:55AM

Mario 64, Quake and Nights were released within months of each other in 1996, each one of them held their own on their respective systems. The issue of CVG that reviewed all three of the games in the same issue takes pride of place in my colection.

An elitist game Nights is not...