Chrono Trigger: new DS features unveiled, in U.S. this year

by Chris Greenhough { Jul 2nd 2008 at 10:15AM }

Just in case that tiny snippet from Shonen Jump magazine and a countdown site wasn't enough confirmation for you doubting Thomases, Square Enix just pumped out a press release detailing its ZOMG MEGATON DS version of Chrono Trigger.

Judging by this, the DS iteration will look and sound very much like the SNES game -- Akira Toriyama's artwork will make the jump, for example, as will Yasunori Mitsuda's musical score. It's also being tweaked here and there to suit the DS's feature-set, so there'll be full touchscreen functionality, dual screen presentation, and most intriguingly, a wireless play mode, the details of which have yet to be fleshed out. Oh, and there's a brand new dungeon planned as well. Not exactly a straight port, then, but also not a dramatic remake. But heck, who's complaining? It's Chrono Trigger on the DS, which is what you all asked for!

And here's the best bit: the game will be hitting North America this Holiday season. Better get saving.

[Via press release]

Tags: chrono-trigger, port, remake, rpg, square-enix

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

James @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:33AM

I swear...today had just been filled with great news...all we need is Tales of innocence and I'll be done. Heart attack...

Phawx @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:38AM

Man they haven't made a JRPG like Chrono Trigger. Maybe Xenogears but Chrono Trigger definitely set the bar.

Saffie @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:41AM

DANG! Why did i sell my Nintendo DS?! :(

Jak Logan @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:54AM

I've played Chrono Trigger about 6 complete times... and I have to say, Lavos is a stupid boss.

prateeko @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:01AM

I came

BlackDogAssault @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:01AM

MAAAN. I wouldn't believe it until just now. O_O I've started playing it again thru' Wiimulators (my SNES copy no longer works T_T) since last week and cannot believe it'll be re-released just like that!!
Maaaan, this is soooo sweet. Hope it's a remake... If not, it'd be cool if new characters were added - as long as they're still Toriyama designed-, even if that makes purists whine... Aaaand some more Fated Hour events, to make the experience longer (the game is pretty short to nowadays standarts).

A Pissed-off English Gamer @ Jul 31st 2008 12:55PM

Funny you should say that when it seems to me that games have been getting shorter, in general.

Sam @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:08AM

The full press release:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/chrono-trigger-returns-the-timeless,454846.shtml

Zuko @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:11AM

I was hoping they would use FF3/FF4 DS engine, but it seems they didn't listen to me ._.

Puddles @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:41AM

I couldn't disagree more. CT is so beautiful in 2D that it would have been a real shame if they had scrapped the original art. I'm very glad that "it will look and sound very much like the SNES game".

mike @ Jul 4th 2008 11:59PM

puddles.. you'll be happy to know that IT IS THE ORIGINAL GAME.

We've all played this game 20 times.

Move along, nothing to see here..

Except maybe by analysing the greatest game ever made, Square can learn a thing or two (since most of the brains have already fled the company)

Chris @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:42AM

Yo! Finally a game truly worth buying!

James @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:46AM

I've heard Wireless play is vs battling. Still...playing it on the Wii would be super slick.

Zuko @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:47AM

The problem is that it seems they ill do the same the did in GBA with FF4,FF5 and FF6 releasing a port with enhanced sprites...and then, in their next console, launching a big damn remake with a new graphic engine, mantaining the real spirit of the game...

As someone said in kotaku:
"My guess would be DQIX is not coming out this year so Squeenix needed something quick and popular to plug the gap... "

The only reaaally good thing i must say about this chrono trigger port, is that they will released it very soon in America, and that al the "there aren't any projects with chrono trigger in development, because it's too difficult to reunite again the whole team" aren't an excuse right now, so at least, chrono trigger is live...again xD

Commonc @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:02PM

I have heard nothing but great things about this game for years. I ask this seriously having never played the game. What make this such a great game and why is everyone so excited?

Puddles @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:37PM

It's one of those rare games where everything � visuals, sound, gameplay, story � was brilliantly done. It's a 10/10 if ever there was one. Beyond that, if you want to know what's great about it, you should play it. It's a must-play.

Phantom @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:07PM

OMG , somebody call 911 , he's doesn't know about CT .

But seriously , you have to try it . go here and download and emulator. http://www.emulator-zone.com/doc.php/snes/
(I would reccomend SNES9x because it works with most games and it has a kinda like a fast forward feauture , and it has a nicer inteface IMO . The other one I would reccomend is ZNES , it works perfectly all the time , but it doesn't have FF , which is a good thing if this really is your first time playing . )
Then go to this link and download the CT ROM http://www.emulator-zone.com/doc.php/snes/
Now fire up the emu and load up the ROM , ( remember where you put the ROM) . Before you do that tho you might want to go into settings ( or input for SNES9X) and change up the control scheme . Remember which buttons are X , A , B , and Y .

Then go here

Phantom @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:07PM

Zuko @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:14PM

For many people this game is considered as one of the greatest RPG games ever created and released worldwide...the music, battle system, history and the posibility of having more than 10 endings for the game, makes it really great.

Derimill @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:51PM

Perhaps the wireless play will let you send it to the Wii to play on the big screen. We can only wish, right?

alphagod @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:01PM

Guys you just made my day, this is truly ZOMG MEGATON, and if it sells well we may get another part, perhaps the fabled third part of the series.

@Commonc: This game had everything IMO, best story to date, music, graphics and gameplay. Everything tweaked to perfection, multiple endings, quests through time (remember the sunstone? :P) and the greatest characters and monsters ever.

ACQ @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:05PM

http://na.square-enix.com/ctds/

SephFinale @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:10PM

Watch DS sales skyrocket after this gets released. And I wonder how many mothers will buy this for their children...I'M PREORDERING THIS TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE. D:

Abdulaziz @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:20PM

Oh my god ..... This is all too good to be true ! Everything's perfect , Except that I hope they include the PSX Cut Scenes .. Do you guys think they'll be included ?

I played the whole game 6 or 7 times , But I'm still SO excited in playing it again and again .

SephFinale @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:58PM

Maybe LONGER cutscenes? :O And there won't be slight load times. XD

Abdulaziz @ Jul 2nd 2008 2:05PM

Well , I hope so xD . But you know , It's better not to expect much , since you might be disappointed later =P . I'm really happy Square finally decided to revive the series (Although it never actually died ;D) , I was hoping for a sequel though .. , Who knows .. Everything's possible =) .

Now , One of my wishes has been granted , My only other wish is for ..... Megaman Legends 3 DX !! I so want that sequel >o> .

Metayoshi @ Jul 2nd 2008 2:18PM

Wow... just... WOW!

I haven't felt this excited for a game since SSBB was announced back in 2006.

Serenity @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:33PM

I will not only buy this game I will sell my unborn children for it @____@

Donald @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:01PM

(Attempting to come up with a suitable response. Failing...)

SephFinale @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:45PM

I will buy this game for you, tax included, for your unborn children! :o (@donald: I stole your suitable response)

Lard @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:09PM

It would be nice to see Squeenix to get off their lazy asses and stop shilling back product like they're underage girls in Thailand.

fbh @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:22PM

Hmmmmm...... i'm just not so excited.
I have played the game like 7 times, i was expecting a well done remake, not a port to play one more time the game that i have played so many times.

EDW @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:27PM

honestly, square-enix is the sole reason that i even keep my DS. their portable games keep getting more and more exciting!

Kefka @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:55AM

Hmm, looking at the press release, it's still a bit grey as to how much of an overhaul the graphics will get.

Squeenix didn't mention that it would be all 3D like the FF remakes, but they didn't say it wouldn't be:

"Taking advantage of the Nintendo DS hardware, CHRONO TRIGGER makes its way onto the portable platform with all-new dual screen presentation and Touch-Screen functionality"

However, given that they usually like to whet our appetites by showing off how pretty it will look, and that it already seems quite close to release, I'm leaning towards it not being fully remade in 3D.

If that's the case, then personally I think it's a shame... The original game looked great, but Squeenix have shown they're more than capable of making something 3D and keeping the old school charm.

aj @ Jul 4th 2008 1:43AM

I was pretty psyched up about Black Sigil in September because it looked just like Chrono Trigger, and now Chrono Trigger is coming out on the DS. So now I just don't know what to think.

Very Metal @ Jul 4th 2008 10:09AM

Now my heart is full...

vgxtremist @ Jul 5th 2008 4:25AM

I usually pass on remakes, but this is my 2nd favorite game of all time (it was 1 for a long time...) so I might have to do so.

joe @ Sep 13th 2008 12:13AM

Hi every one what about all the extra 5 chrono trigger endings they took out when the game was beening made in 1996? If any one has the old Funcoland book (remeber), it stated in there that chrono trigger has 15 endings to find? I know Square at the time maybe rushed it but now would be the best time if every one emails Square about those 5 endings they maybe scrapped to enclude it in there?