History YMMV / NiGHTSIntoDreams

* CompleteMonster: [[BigBad Wizeman]] the [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Wicked]] WasOnceAMan who visited the dream world; however, he turned himself into [[FromNobodyToNightmare something far worse]]. Fancying himself as [[AGodAmI a god]], he ruled over [[CrapsackWorld Nightmare]] with an iron fist. When one of his top henchmen, the titular [=NiGHTS=], betrays him and tries to fight back, he traps him in a strange, gazebo-like place, before they are eventually rescued. When his minions [[YouHaveFailedMe fail to defeat NiGHTS]], he punishes them with [[CruelAndUnusualDeath cruel methods]], such as crushing them in the palm of his hands, sending them falling to oblivion, or simply verbally abusing them throughout the games. His worst act comes in ''Journey into Dreams'', when he traps several visitors in an AndIMustScream state, leaving their consciousness in a never-ending nightmare, and in the waking world, trapping them in a permanent coma. Being perhaps the poster boy of VileVillainSaccharineShow, Wizeman might just be one of the worst villains Creator/SonicTeam has produced.
* CreepyCute: [=NiGHTS=] is a slightly odd example, staying mostly on the "cute" side with big starry eyes and a sweet smile. They're thinner than any human should be, and has something of a ballet-dancers physique, and those eyes could most definitely be uncomfortable; they're a step 'above' cat-like. Combined with the way they move and their precise body language, they also veers into ''[[UnintentionalUncannyValley disconcertingly]]'' beautiful and graceful territory. Then there is [[http://www.nightsintodreams.com/NiD/conceptart/Nights024.JPG official concept art]] showing [=NiGHTS=] making [[NightmareFace Nightmare Faces]] and revealing their seldom seen ScaryTeeth and OverlyLongTongue...which heavily evokes ComicBook/{{Venom}}.

* FoeYayShipping: Many fans ship [=NiGHTS=]/Reala. Despite the fact that they're technically [[Main/IncestYayShipping siblings]].

* HeartwarmingInHindsight: The kids version of "Dreams Dreams" in the first game can become this when you consider the female singer, Jasmine Allen, was brought back to sing the "Sweet Snow" version in ''Journey of Dreams'' over ten years later.
* ItsShortSoItSucks: One of the major criticisms of the first game is that it's incredibly short and can be beaten within a couple of hours. It wasn't seen as a big deal when it was first released, since its addictive gameplay and replay value in getting higher scores made up for it, and it was still longer than many other arcade ports for the Saturn and its competition. But being re-released in a time where long campaigns are the norm, its short length stands out and was likely the reason that the sequel went to great lengths to avert this.
* JustHereForGodzilla: Although the ''Christmas [=NiGHTS=]'' sampler is worth hunting down because it offers so much content it's almost like a companion game of its own, the "Sonic the Hedgehog Into Dreams..." minigame is a huge draw for many fans of the blue blur, especially after the bitter aftertaste of ''VideoGame/SonicXTreme'''s cancellation and was the closest thing to a true 3D Sonic game at the time. More so with the minigame's exclusion in the [=PS2=] and consequently HD re-release.

* MandelaEffect: The music that plays in the battle against Reala if often remembered as "Theme of a Tragic Revenge", but it's actually called "Theme of a Tragedic Revenge".

** Claris' opening with the judges turning into ''demons'' and chasing her through a psychedelic landscape.

* ScrappyMechanic: Doing a loop was not only a way to defeat enemies, but it would kill any Nightopians unfortunate enough to be nearby. It was thankfully rectified in the sequel, which is actually required to save him in one stage.
%%* SignatureSong: "Dreams Dreams". "In the nights, dream delight..."

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: The [=PS2=] and HD re-releases were criticized for having worse and less precise controls than the Saturn version, the latter of which was addressed with a patch, but is still considered inferior to the fluid controls utilized by the 3D Saturn Pad. Their ports of ''Christmas [=NiGHTS=]'' are also missing several bonus modes and features including the ever popular "Sonic The Hedgehog into Dreams..."

* FanonDiscontinuity: Fans of the comic pretend the second series doesn't exist, as it focuses too much on the real world at the expense of the dream world and features an out-of-genre subplot about human terrorists.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: Back when the first game was released for the Saturn, it was acclaimed by both critics and fans alike for its colorful and imaginative visuals and characters, fantastic soundtrack, and addicting fast-paced gameplay, showing the world what the Saturn was actually capable of. In some circles, it was seen as the KillerApp of the Saturn, on par with competing powerhouses ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' and ''[[VideoGame/CrashBandicoot1996 Crash Bandicoot]]''. The characters have appeared in countless cameos since then, and even ''Creator/ShigeruMiyamoto'' laments that it was a game he wishes he had made. But with the game's HD re-release, many of those who had never played the game before have expressed confusion to what the hype was all about, citing its short length, minimal story, and the objective of the gameplay not being completely clear without looking at the instructions[[note]]All of which were actually very common in the early 32-bit era[[/note]], while admitting it was probably considered groundbreaking and revolutionary for its time. Many fans who experienced the game when it first came out still adore it to this day and praise it as an underrated masterpiece.

* HarsherInHindsight: The "Sonic the Hedgehog Into Dreams..." minigame in the ''Christmas [=NiGHTS=]'' sampler allowed players to roam freely as the blue blur in the ''[=NiGHTS=]'' engine, which many believed would have been perfect to use for a proper 3D Sonic title for the Saturn. Not only did such a game never appear on the system, but when Yuji Naka learned ''VideoGame/SonicXTreme'' would use the ''[=NiGHTS=]'' engine without his permission, he threatened to quit the company if the game went forward with it. The incident is seen as one of many contributing factors to that game's cancellation.

* MandelaEffect: The music that plays in the battle against Reala if often remember as "Theme of a Tragic Revenge", but it's actually called "Theme of a Tragedic Revenge".

* MandelaEffect: The music that plays against Reala if often remember as "Theme of a Tragic Revenge", but it's actually called "Theme of a Tragedic Revenge".

* FirstInstallmentWins: Although the game did recieve a [[VideoGame/NightsJourneyOfDreams sequel in 2007]], the original Saturn game remains the more successful and beloved of the two.

** [=NiGHTS=] is genderless. Claiming otherwise tends to start internet wars that can last ''months''.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: Back when the first game was released for the Saturn, it was acclaimed by both critics and fans alike for its colorful and imaginative visuals and characters, fantastic soundtrack, and addicting fast-paced gameplay, showing the world what the Saturn was actually capable of. In some circles, it was seen as the KillerApp of the Saturn, on par with competing powerhouses ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' and ''[[VideoGame/CrashBandicoot1996 Crash Bandicoot]]''. The characters have appeared in countless cameos since then, and even ''Creator/ShigeruMiyamoto'' laments that it was a game he wishes he had made. But with the game's HD re-release, many of those who had never played the game before have expressed confusion to what the hype was all about, citing its short length, minimal story, and the objective of the gameplay not being completely clear[[note]]All of which were actually very common in the early 32-bit era[[/note]], while admitting it was probably considered groundbreaking and revolutionary for its time. Many fans who experienced the game when it first came out still adore it to this day and praise it as an underrated masterpiece.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Jackle, to the point where people who never played the original game love the card-throwing crazy.

* CreepyCute: [=NiGHTS=] is a slightly odd example, staying mostly on the "cute" side with big starry eyes and a sweet smile. They're thinner than any human should be, and has something of a ballet-dancers physique, and those eyes could most definitely be uncomfortable; they're a step 'above' cat-like. Combined with the way they move and their precise body language, they also veers into ''[[UncannyValley disconcertingly]]'' beautiful and graceful territory. Then there is [[http://www.nightsintodreams.com/NiD/conceptart/Nights024.JPG official concept art]] showing [=NiGHTS=] making [[NightmareFace Nightmare Faces]] and revealing their seldom seen ScaryTeeth and OverlyLongTongue...which heavily evokes ComicBook/{{Venom}}.

* HarsherInHindsight: The "Sonic the Hedgehog Into Dreams..." minigame in the ''Christmas [=NiGHTS=]'' sampler allowed players to roam freely as the blue blur in the ''[=NiGHTS=]'' engine, which many believed would have been perfect to use for a proper 3D Sonic title for the Saturn. Not only did such a game never appear on the system, but when Yuji Naka learned ''VideoGame/SonicXTreme'' would use the ''[=NiGHTS=]'' engine (or a similar looking engine, depending on who you ask) without his permission, he threatened to quit the company if the game went forward with it. The incident is seen as one of many contributing factors to that game's cancellation.

* CompleteMonster: [[BigBad Wizeman]] the [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Wicked]] WasOnceAMan who visited the dream world; however, he turned himself into [[FromNobodyToNightmare something far worse]]. Fancying himself as [[AGodAmI a god]], he ruled over [[CrapsackWorld Nightmare]] with an iron fist. When one of his top henchmen, the titular [=NiGHTS=], betrays him and tries to fight back, he traps him in a strange, gazebo-like place, before they are eventually rescued. When his minions [[YouHaveFailedMe fail to defeat NiGHTS]], he punishes him with [[CruelAndUnusualDeath cruel methods]], such as crushing him in the palm of his hands, sending him falling to oblivion, or simply verbally abusing him throughout the games. His worst act comes in ''Journey into Dreams'', when he traps several visitors in an AndIMustScream state, leaving their consciousness in a never-ending nightmare, and in the waking world, trapping him in a permanent coma. Being perhaps the poster boy of VileVillainSaccharineShow, Wizeman might just be one of the worst villains Creator/SonicTeam has produced.

* CreepyCute: [=NiGHTS=] is a slightly odd example, staying mostly on the "cute" side with big starry eyes and a sweet smile. He's thinner than any human should be, and has something of a ballet-dancers physique, and those eyes could most definitely be uncomfortable; they're a step 'above' cat-like. Combined with the way he moves and his precise body language, he also veers into ''[[UncannyValley disconcertingly]]'' beautiful and graceful territory. Then there is [[http://www.nightsintodreams.com/NiD/conceptart/Nights024.JPG official concept art]] showing [=NiGHTS=] making [[NightmareFace Nightmare Faces]] and revealing his seldom seen ScaryTeeth and OverlyLongTongue...which heavily evokes ComicBook/{{Venom}}.

* CreepyCute: [=NiGHTS=] is a slightly odd example, staying mostly on the "cute" side with big starry eyes and a sweet smile. He's thinner than any human should be, and has something of a ballet-dancers physique, and those eyes could most definitely be uncomfortable; they're a step 'above' cat-like. Combined with the way he moves and his precise body language, he also veers into ''[[UncannyValley disconcertingly]]'' beautiful and graceful territory. Then there is [[http://www.nightsintodreams.com/NiD/conceptart/Nights024.JPG official concept art]] showing [=NiGHTS=] making [[NightmareFace Nightmare Faces]] and revealing his seldom seen ScaryTeeth and OverlyLongTongue...which heavily evokes ComicBook/Venom.

* CreepyCute: [=NiGHTS=] is a slightly odd example, staying mostly on the "cute" side with big starry eyes and a sweet smile. [=NiGHTS=] is thinner than any human should be, and has something of a ballet-dancers physique, and those eyes could most definitely be uncomfortable; they're a step 'above' cat-like. Combined with the way it moves, it also veers into ''[[UncannyValley disconcertingly]]'' beautiful and graceful territory. Then there is [[http://www.nightsintodreams.com/NiD/conceptart/Nights024.JPG official concept art]] showing [=NiGHTS=] making [[NightmareFace Nightmare Faces]] and revealing its seldom seen ScaryTeeth and OverlyLongTongue...

* FoeYayShipping: Many fans ship NiGHTS/Reala.

* FanPreferredCouple: Many fans ship [[FoeYay NiGHTS/Reala]].

* AntiClimaxBoss: Despite being [=NiGHTS=]' EvilCounterpart, Reala is a total pushover. Defeating them is a simple matter of trapping them in a paraloop three times. Their only attack is to try to do the same to the player, but it's incredibly easy to avoid and barely impacts the mission time limit.

* CompleteMonster: [[BigBad Wizeman]] the [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Wicked]] WasOnceAMan who visited the dream world; however, he turned himself into [[FromNobodyToNightmare something far worse]]. Fancying himself as [[AGodAmI a god]], he ruled over [[CrapsackWorld Nightmare]] with an iron fist. When one of his top henchmen, the titular [=NiGHTS=], betrays him and tries to fight back, he traps them in a strange, gazebo-like place, before they are eventually rescued. When his minions [[YouHaveFailedMe fail to defeat NiGHTS]], he punishes them with [[CruelAndUnusualDeath cruel methods]], such as crushing them in the palm of his hands, sending them falling to oblivion, or simply verbally abusing them throughout the games. His worst act comes in ''Journey into Dreams'', when he traps several visitors in an AndIMustScream state, leaving their consciousness in a never-ending nightmare, and in the waking world, trapping them in a permanent coma. Being perhaps the poster boy of VileVillainSaccharineShow, Wizeman might just be one of the worst villains Creator/SonicTeam has produced.

* ScrappyMechanic: Doing a loop was not only a way to defeat enemies, but it would kill any Nightopians unfortunate enough to be nearby. It was thankfully rectified in the sequel, which is actually required to save them in one stage.

* MemeticMutation: Du~a~lize!
* NightmareFuel:
** The scene where Wizeman states his intention to [[spoiler:erase [=NiGHTS=]' personality, thus turning them into an obedient servant]]. It's also possibly an example of AndIMustScream; at the ''least'', it's a FateWorseThanDeath.
** Reala's scene implying that he's [[WhyDontYaJustShootHim just plain going to kill]] [=NiGHTS=], Will, and Helen (during the final level).
** Bomamba's opening sequences.

* ScrappyMechanic: In the first game, doing a loop was not only a way to defeat enemies, but it would kill any Nightopians unfortunate enough to be nearby. It was thankfully rectified in the sequel, which is actually required to save them in one stage.

* SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome: The first game looked absolutely phenomenal on the Saturn when it was first released, showing an explorable 3D world with several small details that many thought the system wasn't capable of pulling off. ''Journey of Dreams'' is no slouch in the graphics department either, but when it was discovered that [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgbMRpq5ibc an emulation hack allows the game to run at 60fps]], the game looks absolutely ''phenomenal'', leading one to wonder if it's how the game would have normally run if it was released on the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 as originally intended.

* AntiClimaxBoss:
** Despite being [=NiGHTS=]' EvilCounterpart, Reala is a total pushover. Defeating them is a simple matter of trapping them in a paraloop three times. Their only attack is to try to do the same to the player, but it's incredibly easy to avoid and barely impacts the mission time limit.
** Wizeman in the second game. He's not particularly difficult to take down and goes down much easier than he did in the first game.

* ToyShip: Helen/Will.

* CreepyCute: [=NiGHTS=] is a slightly odd example, staying mostly on the "cute" side with big starry eyes and a sweet smile. [=NiGHTS=] is thinner than any human should be, and has something of a ballet-dancers physique, and those eyes could most definitely be uncomfortable; they're a step 'above' cat-like. Combined with the way it moves, it also veers into ''[[UncannyValley disconcertingly]]'' beautiful and graceful territory. There there is [[http://www.nightsintodreams.com/NiD/conceptart/Nights024.JPG official concept art]] showing [=NiGHTS=] making [[NightmareFace Nightmare Faces]] and revealing its seldom seen ScaryTeeth and OverlyLongTongue...

* HarsherInHindsight: The "Sonic the Hedgehog Into Dreams..." minigame in the ''Christmas [=NiGHTS=]'' sampler allowed players to roam freely as the blue blur in the ''[=NiGHTS=]'' engine, which many believed would have been perfect to use for a proper 3D Sonic title for the Saturn. Not only did such a game never appear on the system, but when Yuji Naka learned ''VideoGame/SonicXTreme'' would use the ''[=NiGHTS=]'' engine without his permission, he threatened to quit the company if the game went forward with it. The incident is seen as one of many contributing factors to that game's cancellation.

!!The games

* FanPreferredCouple: The majority of the fandom tends to ship [[FoeYay NiGHTS/Reala]].

* HarsherInHindsight: The "Sonic the Hedgehog Into Dreams..." minigame in the ''Christmas [=NiGHTS=]'' sampler allowed players to roam freely as the blue blur in the ''[=NiGHTS=]'' engine, which many believed would have been perfect to use for a proper 3D Sonic title for the Saturn. Not only did such a game never appear on the system, but when Yuji Naka later saw early footage of ''VideoGame/SonicXTreme'' and believed the ''[=NiGHTS=]'' engine was being used without his permission, or something very similar to it, he threatened to quit the company if the game went forward with it. The incident is seen as one of many contributing factors to that game's cancellation.

** The jingle that plays when you run out of time is an ominous chime tune with a tense buildup, culminating in [=NiGHTS=] saying "Goodbye!" in the game's fictional language, while the [[GameOver "Night Over"]] song (when you lose to a boss as NiGHTS) is a sudden ScareChord that somehow earned its place in a rather chill-looking screen.

** The jingle that plays when you run out of time is an ominous chime tune with a tense buildup, culminating in [=NiGHTS=] saying "Goodbye!" in the game's fictional language, while the [[GameOver "Night Over"]] song is a sudden ScareChord that somehow earned its place in a rather chill-looking screen.