Chrono Trigger DS features optional SNES play mode
by David Hinkle 
{ Sep 9th 2008 at 4:48PM }
For fans of Chrono Trigger, the news that the game would be ported to the DS was like finding an extra toy in your box of cereal. Or, actually, it was probably a bigger deal than that. Like, a lot bigger. But, what about those purists that don't like touch-screen controls changing up the game? Well, Square Enix will be including a single-screen mode, which you can see to the right of this text. The bottom screen will display health information for the enemies you're currently engaging, so it still plays a role in the game. Are touch-screen controls really that big of an issue, though?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ChangeOfFate @ Sep 9th 2008 4:53PM
I believe it is an issue. I've never really enjoyed controlling the movement of my character with a stylus.
Never liked that one bit.
Moi @ Sep 9th 2008 5:27PM
To me, the main issue is that it's a home console game on a portable.
Tiny screen, tinny sound, crap d-pad, tiny buttons... the experience just doesn't live up
Sean @ Sep 10th 2008 11:51AM
you do realize your talking about a console game from the early 90s, right? I do recall the SNES being its original system and that had a crappy Dpad and tiny buttons. Sure the screen is smaller but i'm sure they updated the graphics and sound, even slightly enough for it to be good enough for now a days.
MechaBouncer @ Sep 9th 2008 5:42PM
But it's PORTABLE! You're not tied to any home console and can play it no matter where you are. Plus, the screen resolution difference is so small that it's almost the same as the overscan on a lot of older TVs that we used to play it on.
Now I just wonder if the regular button controls will be available in the dual-screen mode like they are with Final Fantasy III and IV. I don't plan to use the touch screen for movement, but it would be a shame if them map information (and whatever else the second screen is used for) has to be turned off to use classic controls.
Eddie @ Sep 9th 2008 5:43PM
touch screen is fine... but snes mode is welcomed, i guess.
Alexisonfire @ Sep 9th 2008 5:58PM
You mean a mode like this was JUST announced?
Damn. I just assumed that it was in there. Man, a touch screen only based port wouldn't be worth it at all.
Jesterace @ Sep 9th 2008 9:35PM
I honestly don't mind the implementation of touch screen controls. There are times that I find it handy to be able to play a game with on hand while the system rests on the desk/table. But if the SNES mode is just button controls I'm kind of disapointed. I would have thought they would have implemented some new features or made a tweak here or there. Ah well, I don't know if I'll buy this or not as my DS has of late been collecting dust.
Abbii @ Sep 9th 2008 6:29PM
I think this is great. I'm getting tired of the stylus being thrown in every game just for the sake of it.
HairyBalls @ Sep 9th 2008 6:50PM
The game sucks...
Zachary Hinchliffe @ Sep 9th 2008 7:01PM
NO U
CJC @ Sep 9th 2008 7:23PM
BURN THE HERETIC!
Gewurztraminer says: Shinkuu Gadouken! @ Sep 9th 2008 10:20PM
It does?
Well, pfft, who am I to argue with that? I mean, hot damn, you just saved me some gas money. It's always good to hear an honest review of a game before it's been released. Yeah, it's a port, but this game, this Chrono Trigger DS, has yet to be released. But I'm glad you already know that it sucks. What would I ever do without this wonderful insight into the future?
Oh, right, I'd stop ranting.
@!#?@!
Metayoshi @ Sep 9th 2008 7:08PM
I also thought this was already implied since... You know... The DS already has the button layout of the SNES controller.
In any case, I don't think touch screen controls are an issue UNLESS it really is crap. Animal Crossing: Wild World, in particular, used touch screen controls perfectly (outside of your house) where I preferred the touch screen over the d-pad and face buttons. Games like Final Fantasy IV, however, really could have used better touch screen controls by 1: switching the top and bottom screens, and 2: making the touch screen controls 360 degrees instead of just 8 directions. There was no point in the touch screen since those 8 directions are already satisfied by the d-pad.
Metayoshi @ Sep 9th 2008 7:25PM
OH!
I just got it... It's not news that there will be SNES controls (check your gallery from E3... SNES controls are listed there). It's news that there will be a SNES mode where the top screen will look exactly as if you were playing it on the SNES with a single screen. The non-SNES mode will have the battle menus on the bottom screen, and your own hp/mp bars under you, but you'll still be able to use SNES controls or the touch screen if you wish.
aj @ Sep 9th 2008 9:26PM
But......didn't they announce a while back that there would be, in addition to the DS port, the old SNES version untouched and in it's original form?
I thought that was cool because there is supposedly a new translation, so you can play the old game, and then, on a re-play to get at one of the different endings, play through a different translation!
....Well, I was excited by that news, at any rate.
My point is.....is this the SNES version that will be on the cart, or this an added feature to the DS version?
BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Sep 11th 2008 6:36AM
It'll feature both the original translation used in the SNES and PS1 versions, as well as an all-new retranslation.
neoimmortal @ Sep 9th 2008 10:00PM
I too assumed that the SNES controls would be there automatically. There was one game, um, Lunar Dragon Song(?) that I got that I really didn't like cause it only had touch screen controls. Personally I prefer the SNES layout and wish that more SNES games were redone for the DS. It could be a VCDS!
SephFinale @ Sep 10th 2008 12:44AM
Toy? Cereal? BOX?!
This is like finding a diamond mine in a pile of cow poo. o:
vask8219 @ Sep 10th 2008 2:54AM
i love chrono trigger and all but im not really excited for this, its just another port of the same game i played and beat a million times, i really dont care wheather or not its portable.
bmcgooch @ Sep 10th 2008 8:16AM
Display health information of enemies? What about the Sight Scope? I guess it's a useless item now.
Game breaking imo.
Matt G. @ Sep 10th 2008 9:58AM
Well, I think that in the non-SNES mode, you characters and the enemies have little life bars under them soooo it's the same thing. I guess the Sight Scope will be removed, or just provide other info?
- - - - - - -
Personally, I'm a bit confused about how each of these modes will work. Not seeing them in motion has done this; it's not any website's fault. When I get the game, the first thing I plan to do is check out each mode.
gb @ Sep 10th 2008 10:27AM
I hate the fact that people are using the touchscreen because it is there. It always feels tacked on and weird. Developers should concentrate on making good games with appropriate control schemes.
HairyBalls @ Sep 10th 2008 5:23PM
By me saying the game sucks, doesn't mean I'm reviewing it.
I'm mosy likely tell you how much the game sucked on the SNES.
Seejay @ Sep 22nd 2008 5:39AM
so... how does the game suck exactly? Everyone else seems to like it. Just because YOU do not like the game, it doesn't mean that it sucks. Do you want to actually appreciate a game as a work of art? or do you just want to play some mindless action game to kill some time like all the rest of the casual gamer retards?
Rosca @ Sep 11th 2008 2:20AM
No-one has picked up that it has life bars as a standard feature by the looks of it?
Err fairly sure this was never in the original and was only if you had the right item equipped.
Gah damn you westerners.