'Nights' is finally back

I have deep emotional attachments to a few game franchises. This means I get misty eyed and giddy when I get a new one in the series. 'Gran Turismo,' 'WipeOut,' 'Burnout,' 'Lumines,' and 'Need for Speed' are a few of my most cherished titles. 'Nights' and 'Christmas Nights' were up there too. I actually just watch the 'Christmas Nights' video clips on YouTube and I get all goose-bumpy. Dorky, I know.

I got the new 'Nights: Journey of Dreams' game for the Wii a couple of days ago and it provides the same euphoric rush that the originals had. It's not a game for everyone, but I think fans of the originals will love it.

The graphics are crazy day-glo, the characters are hyper cute, the cut scenes are un-skip-able and the controls take a little bit of time to get used to; but I love the game.

Unlike the original game on the Sega Saturn, there is no analog controller that comes in the package. Instead, you can use the nun-chuck, the Wii-mote or the retro controller thingy with the cord. Each provides a different experience.

I was reluctant to use the Wii-mote, but it's not as difficult as I had been reading. Actually, it's somewhat natural to use it the way you do in the game. Guiding a flying whachamacallit-faerie with the wave of a hand is kinda cool.

The flying parts of the title are still gaming magic. 'Nights' is kind of like a racer on rails but it's up in the air and with bad guys attacking. The levels have more things to do and more going on than the original Saturn offerings; but somehow it all feels very familiar.

One of my favorite things in the Wii 'Nights' is that all the original sound effects are present from the 10-year old initial offering... it's really weird to hear them and have them trigger happy thoughts of the past. It's like the countdown in 'Gran Turismo' or the mine-dropping sound in 'WipeOut;' it's just locked in my subconscious memory.

I have a few gripes so far. You can't skip some of the irritating cut scenes or the obnoxious training levels. And some parts of the game actually have you walking 2 inches forward before you encounter another cut scene or load screen. It's really weird game design.

My biggest complaint is Night's voice. He's the blue-sprite-thing that "assimilates" with your character and flies around Nightopia. He sounds like a 30 year old lady from England. I don't have a problem with said ladies, but I have a problem with their voice coming out of a beloved character that I always assumed would have a male voice. Actually, I kind of liked the idea of Night being mysterious and silent like he was in the '90's.

The fun of the game outweighs the complaints. The flying, looping and gathering is almost cathartic and relaxing... and I remember that was a feeling associated with the original game, too. Hopefully old fans of the first 'Nights' will find the same enjoyment with this game as I do and I hope its success leads more games in the future. I'm already determined to get my hands on the PS2 remake of the original two titles... more to come on that.