Retrobot's favorite: Score Attack games

Nights into Dreams (Sega, 1996)
Did you really think Retrobot would go a whole score attack feature without mentioning NiGHTS? OK, well, let's forget the majesty of the environments, characters and sound for a minute and look at the mechanics of the game. As scoring systems go, it's right up there. And that's the reason you'll be seeing "100th night" after defeating Gillwing for... well, the 100th time.

Firstly, there's the standard game field. The first challenge is to collect 20 blue chips and get them to the " Ideya Capture" as fast as you can. Forget everything else - this first act is essential. Why? Because once you've done that, everything you score is doubled for the rest of the Mare (that's sub-level to you and me).

Above: See the heartbreak of dropping a 200+ link at 37 seconds in this video from a NiGHTS fansite

Now you've got all that lovely time left to get as many links as you can and then get back to NiGHTS ' palace before your time runs out. Links are gained by passing through the next hoop or collecting the next chip or star within one second of the last one. Each time you do, the value of each is multiplied. Go one second without doing so and you drop the link. Don't forget to fly OVER the palace at the end of each lap of the course, or you'll waste all that bonus time and go on to the next Mare.

With four Mares per level, you have to do well in all of them to be in with a chance of getting a top score. But why only "in with a chance"? Well, the bosses are also tackled against the clock with a bonus 2.0 multiplier on offer for the quickest runs. That's up to two times your entire score for the level. Screw up on the boss and even record-breaking Mare scores will turn into shabby overall scores. It's harsh, but so very, very rewarding once you get it right. Oh, and if it grades you "B" at any point in the game, Retrobot says you're crap. Simple as that.