MainJPW
M.T.A
The reason for NiGHTS having an English accent is actually pretty interesting.Then you're probably right. I played it once over and didn't like it nearly as much as the original. The motion controls feel tacked on. I simply remember commenting on how Nights's gender wasn't ambiguous anymore, but as MainJPW mentioned, it's likely just because of the clearly female and very British voice they attached to the character.
I apologize for innately getting defensive. The people of Portland, OR are very, very quick to bust one's chops over anything, so it's become somewhat of a reflex. There are times when I feel that people here want me to be the bad guy and it's disheartening when I want to be an ally.
According to Iizuka-san, the setting for NiGHTS is designed to be European styled like how Sonic is American influenced.
http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2007/12/interview_takashi_iizuka_talks_nights
As for NiGHTS’s gender:NiGHTSintoDreams.com: Some people say that Bell Bridge (the games fictional setting), resembles parts of London. Is there any truth to this? And if so, why did you choose this setting?
Takashi Iizuka: Well like the character of Sonic is designed to be more like American style, NiGHTS has been designed to be more like that of European. So that is why the stages have the look of a more European setting.
It is also why the characters in NiGHTS have English accents.
SEGANerds: Why did you decide to give NiGHTS a voice? And why did you choose a female voice?
Takashi Iizuka: [LAUGHS] Well the original game had voice clips for NiGHTS, but in Journey of Dreams I wanted to use more voice acting. The voice helps to add depth to the game play, and tell the story in the cut scenes.
NiGHTS is neutral, and therefore has no gender. The impressions of the character with regards to gender are totally up to the player.