We're assuming that you're playing this with a controller. The game can be played with a directional pad or an analog stick, the latter is the preferred method. Moving the character with the stick is the regular thing you'd expect. Flying in a circular fashion will be a basic type of attack that also absorbs orbs in the 3D space. Next you will find your main button on your controller (usually A) will make you spin, destroying enemies and increasing your speed. Finally the bumpers (L&R) will make different movements that at first might seem unimporant until you reach the bonus phase (more on this later). These are the controls, let's get going!

In each level you'll see an evil machine that you've got to destroy.

It's important to break the machine as soon as possible since you'll be rewarded with "Bonus Time" to get more points. The level is shaped like a circuit, every time you go through a lap in the level, the spheres respawn, do as many laps as you need!

Once the machine was obliterated you'll enter into a phase called Bonus Time.

So instead of heading for the goal, use the time you have left to relax and fly around, check the level out, gather points by flying through stuff in quick succession, try doing loops to pick items and such.

The reason why you should be doing this after breaking the machine is because everything you do during Bonus Time will score you a lot more points, this way you'll easily pass the level.

As you fly around, you will see some gnome characters flying around the level, they're called "Nightopians" and apparently you should be able raise them in different ways, somehow. I'm not really sure how it works. Here's a description I found about this feature:

NiGHTS Into Dreams Wiki[nid.wikia.com]

Aside from the immediate game mission, the game also contains an artificial life ("A-Life") system, a precursor to the Chao featured in Sonic Team's later Sonic Adventure titles. The system involves entities called Nightopians (dream-dwellers, sometimes referred to as "pians"). The game keeps track of the moods of the Nightopians (harming them will displease them, for example), and the game features an evolving music engine, allowing tempo, pitch, and melody to alter depending on the state of Nightopians within the level. It is also possible to merge Nightopians with the small Nightmaren enemies, creating a hybrid being called a Mepian. It is even possible through extensive controlled breeding that a 'King' Pian, or Superpian can be made.

This is all optional but it seems like an interesting thing to check out while you play.
After you beat the game you will unlock a "Nightopian collection" menu where you can check the gnomes out.

So when the timer is reaching zero, you should hurry towards the goal. It doesn't matter if you go forwards or backwards in the level, just make sure you make it in time.

The game will count your score and give you a rank from A to F. If you understood steps 1 and 2 you're easily going to get a C, the minimum score you want in order to clear the game.



If you only manage a D, you can advance in the game but you cannot unlock the final stage and you won't be able to clear the game. So, do aim for C or higher!

Each level has 4 parts, once you beat them all you will find some sort of Boss enemy.
These battles are a bit bizarre so it's hard to write down exactly what you're supposed to do in order to beat them. I won't go into detail about the Bosses, but I'll lay down the basics:

You have to make sure you "grab" the Boss by diving into them; once you find yourself holding the Boss do the "spinning boost" attack. Repeat this until they detonate.

Also, avoid getting hit too much.
Good luck!

Here's the dates for some events you might want to check: