NiGHTS

NiGHTS is the main protagonist from the NiGHTS game series. NiGHTS is a genderless first-level "Nightmaren" who lives in the dream world of Nightopia which takes shape according to the thoughts, ideas, personalities, and will of the Visitors (humans from the real world). As a Nightmaren however, NiGHTS' origin is henceforth the dark realm of Nightmare.

NiGHTS was one of the most powerful creations of Wizeman, a malevolent entity from NiGHTS' realm, and was meant to steal Ideya, the energy of dreams. However, NiGHTS was a remarkably mischievous free spirit who did not like taking orders, so Wizeman imprisoned them. NiGHTS subsequently rebelled and have allied themselves with Visitors to stop Wizeman from taking over the Dream World and eventually, the Waking World. However, their motivation is simply because they do not like Wizeman, and not because NiGHTS is inherently 'good'.

Reala is the one other First-level and the only Nightmaren that matches NiGHTS in power. Due to differences in personalities and goals, they and NiGHTS are enemies.

Because of their shared creators, NiGHTS has made multiple appearances within the Sonic the Hedgehog series, either as cameos or as a playable character.

Description
NiGHTS wears a purple jester style hat and outfit, with a diamond-shaped red jewel on their chest (according to the mini-series release by Archie Comics, the diamond-shaped red jewel is really a shard of the red ideya of courage).

NiGHTS into Dreams...
NiGHTS is a First-level Nightmaren (the most advanced and powerful) created by Wizeman. They were very mischievous and disliked being ordered around. After rebelling against Wizeman, NiGHTS is imprisoned in an Ideya Palace. The only way they can be freed from the prison is by merging with either Claris Sinclair or Elliot Edwards, who possess the Red Ideya of Courage. NiGHTS helps them collect their stolen Ideya from the Nightmarens, but their freedom is only temporary. If time runs out, NiGHTS will be pulled back to the Ideya Palace leaving the child to find their way back and try again.

The children have lost their Ideya due to stress in the waking world and became targets for the Nightmares. NiGHTS is eager to disrupt Wizeman's plan and helps the children conquer their fears, reclaim their Ideya each night, and ultimately defeat Wizeman.

Sonic Adventure
In Sonic Adventure, NiGHTS appears as a pinball game (along with a Sonic pinball game) which features elements from NiGHTS into Dreams. These cameos reappear in the Director's Cut version for the GameCube and PC. In the missions, NiGHTS' picture can be seen on a small billboard next to Tails' shop. NiGHTS themself can also be seen in person in the NiGHTS pinball game in Casinopolis. They appear to be floating over an Ideya Palace when Sonic loses his last ball.

Sonic Shuffle
In Sonic Shuffle, when the date on the Dreamcast is set to December 24, NiGHTS will make a cameo appearance, replacing Lumina as the guide, although the voice will still be Lumina's.

Sonic Adventure 2
In Sonic Adventure 2, NiGHTS makes multiple cameos. In the City Escape stage, billboards and posters depict advertisements for The NiGHTS Hotel, which can be seen in the skyline of Shadow's Radical Highway stage. NiGHTS also makes a cameo appearance as a Chao. The Neutral Fly Type Chao resembles NiGHTS, while the Dark Fly/Normal Type Chao resembles Reala, or an evil-looking NiGHTS. A Neutral Fly/Power Chao resembles Jackle, a boss from the first NiGHTS game.

Sonic Pinball Party
In Sonic Pinball Party, NiGHTS appears as a pinball game once again, featuring many elements from NiGHTS into Dreams. Sonic Pinball Party is the only game where NiGHTS actually interacts with Sonic, where NiGHTS helped Sonic free Amy and Tails from Dr. Eggman's hypnotism. NiGHTS is also a level two competitor in the Egg Cup Tournament.

Sonic Battle
In Sonic Battle, NiGHTS appears in the Speed Demon minigame, where they can be seen flying in the background.

Shadow the Hedgehog
In Shadow the Hedgehog, a billboard of NiGHTS can be seen to the right of where Shadow begins Lethal Highway as soon as he lands on solid ground.

NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams
Some time after the events of NiGHTS Into Dreams, NiGHTS comes into contact with two new Visitors from the city of Bellbridge, William Taylor and Helen Cartwright, who possess an Ideya of Courage. This gives them the strength to free NiGHTS when they are swiftly imprisoned at the beginning of each story by Reala and his underlings.

NiGHTS often wanders off on their own throughout the game, leaving the player in control of the Visitor. This occurs most often at the Dream Gate, leaving the Visitor to encounter NiGHTS already beyond the Door to Nightopia (or floating by the Dream Gate fountain if you want to take a fly around). NiGHTS and the Visitors battle vicious 2nd Level Nightmarens and even Reala himself on an occasion, regaining each child's ideya in the process.

In the normal endings, Wizeman becomes frustrated with his servants and steps in to take NiGHTS back himself, dragging Helen down as well. NiGHTS is then imprisoned on the top of the Bellbridge clock tower and is rescued by the children after they unleash the true power of the Ideya of Courage. They face Wizeman, Dualizing into two NiGHTS to stop his evil plans. When he is defeated, the children wake up with renewed determination.

In the True Endings, the final Ideya of Hope appears on the staircase, but Wizeman is waiting. NiGHTS is knocked out and dragged down alone, with Wizeman planning to remove NiGHTS' consciousness and replace it with one that will make them obey him. The children finally realize the mistakes they have made and gain new resolve, jumping into the abyss to rescue NiGHTS, but Reala appears once they free NiGHTS, and so they must battle him a final time to reach Wizeman. As darkness envelopes Bellbridge, the three Dualize and face Wizeman the Wicked together, but he taunts NiGHTS with the knowledge of their demise should Wizeman be defeated. The children can't bear to lose NiGHTS but are reassured of their own strength and free will, so they work together to defeat him.

After NiGHTS, Will, and Helen defeat Wizeman, NIGHTS deals a final bow before fading away into white light. It is unclear whether or not NiGHTS "disappeared forever" as after the credits the child of choice is seen sleeping in their bed and then the camera pans out towards the clock tower where you can see NiGHTS on the top of the spire, imaginary flute in hand, peacefully watching over the city. It is possible this meant disappearing from only Will and Helen's dreams forever and not the Night Dimension in general.

Another NiGHTS game is not confirmed. While there is a desire, and demand, for further NiGHTS games the decision is in the hands of SEGA.

Sonic Riders
In Sonic Riders, NiGHTS made their first cameo as a playable character. They can be unlocked if the player completes the missions of all three of the Babylon Rogues. NiGHTS' Extreme Gear is called Night Sky. Sections of the SEGA Carnival/SEGA Illusion courses feature elements from NiGHTS into Dreams.

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity
In the sequel to Sonic Riders, NiGHTS returns as an unlockable playable character alongside with Night Sky. Also, in both '90s Boulevard and '80s Boulevard courses, signs advertising NiGHTS and NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams can be seen.

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
In Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, NiGHTS appears as the flagperson who waves the checkered flag at the start and end of races. Steve Lycett of Sumo Digital said that NiGHTS could potentially become a DLC character if the game became successful. However, later that year, Sega announced that they no longer planned to include any downloadable content after the release of Metal Sonic and the Death Egg Zone track.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
Due to popular demand to make NiGHTS a playable character in the first game, NiGHTS and Reala appear as playable characters in ''Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. ''They appear as the vehicles while a Nightopian and a Nightmarian drive them, respectively. When the player gets a All-Star Move as either racer, they'll control NiGHTS or Reala for a limited time. A NiGHTS related race-track, Dream Valley, also appears in the game. Because NiGHTS is a playable racer in the game, Ristar replaces them as the flagman.

Sonic Generations
In the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, a hotel with NiGHTS' likeness on it appears in Radical Highway, just as it did in the original.

Sonic Lost World
NiGHTS appears in the Nightmare Zone, where they help Sonic in escaping Wizeman's curse at the end of the zone by paralooping Reala (who was opening paraloop portals to Nightmare) and escorting him to the end of the level.

Sonic Runners
In Sonic Runners, NiGHTS appeared as an equippable Buddy during two of the promotional events for the game. When they were equipped, the music would change.

Sonic Forces
A costume of NiGHTS is unlockable in the game with the bonus edition of Sonic Forces.