Chrono-Trigger posts(Subscribe to this feed)
790K people bought Chrono Trigger DS (and other Square sales figures)
by Randy Nelson { May 21st 2009 at 7:15PM } 
Note: numbers reflect 10k increments
Let there be no questioning of Chrono Trigger's lasting appeal: the DS re-release managed to make it into the hands on 790k gamers, many of which were no doubt buying the game for the second or third time since the 16-bit original's 1995 launch.
European gamers gobbled up Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII with half a million units sold in the territory, although the region came in third in overall sales for Square Enix. The US actually proved to be its most lucrative market with 1.69 million games sold, versus 1.51M for Japan. Part of the success in the West: The Last Remnant and Infinite Undiscovery, which sold better in the States than anywhere else.
[Via Siliconera]
Square Enix pulls the trigger on Chrono Trigger fan projects
by JC Fletcher { May 12th 2009 at 11:15PM }
Square Enix also sent letters to other fan projects, including the Chrono Compendium, which responded by taking down all pages and forums related to rom-hacking projects. "We do not accept the validity of Square Enix's claims," Chrono Compendium's ZeaLitY said, "nor the legal rationale underpinning their position. Nonetheless, we are complying with their demands so as to avoid the expenses and burdens of litigation, because, frankly, they can afford a frivolous lawsuit more than we can." After the break, footage of the promising, but now dead, Crimson Echoes, made by people who, until last week, liked Chrono Trigger a lot.
[Via Kombo; thanks, Booxatron!]
Video Games Live performing during E3
Serving as E3's closing ceremony, the concert will include selections from such games as Chrono Trigger, Mega Man and Final Fantasy, as well as possible attendance by some "very special guests." Tickets are available through pre-sale for between $25 and $70. And for those unwilling to make the trek to E3, or for avid listeners with an unhealthy appetite for video game tuneage, a second performance alongside July's Comic Con in San Diego is also planned, promising "different material and different special guests."
Chrono Trigger time travels to PAL regions in February
The speculation is confirmed: Chrono Trigger will be appearing in all PAL territories on February 6th. Square Enix sent another 15 screens along with the announcement this morning (just in case you've never seen Chrono Trigger before) which we have dutifully uploaded here. Hey, we've waited thirteen years already for this happy day, so what's another 57 days?Alas, rather than fill this Brit blogger with joy, this news has merely reminded me that my import copy is still in the mail. Gaaah. Europeans and Aussies: did you wait, or cave and order a U.S./Japanese version?
Gallery: Chrono Trigger
DS Daily: On preventing piracy
Piracy, me hearties, has become a prominent issue for the DS, and one that is probably here to stay -- indeed, illegally downloading games to play on a flashcart has become almost socially acceptable in some places. And here's the biggest problem: it's not very hard at all to indulge in the practice. (Perfectly legal) flashcarts are available widely and cheaply, and ROM sites are a single Google search away.In other words, finding solutions is difficult, to say the least. Chrono Trigger demonstrated that built-in piracy checks don't exactly last long, though Level 5 might have hit upon a semi-solution with Ni no Kuni: The Another World: deny the pirates the awesome spellbook that is required to play. Put yourselves in the shoes of a videogame publisher on the verge of releasing a major title: what anti-piracy measures would you take to try and protect your game?
Gallery: Chrono Trigger
DS Daily: New Square Enix vs. old Square Enix
DS Daily: Chrono Glory
DS Daily: Chrono Torture
But faced with the tantalizing possibility of finally playing the classic RPG, can you wait? Or have you already broken down and just imported the thing, like Chris did? The temptation must be overwhelming, especially since there's basically no downside. The costs would probably come out about even!
Gallery: Chrono Trigger
[wallpaper available at chronotrigger.jp]
Rumor: Chrono Trigger gets February release in Europe?
Europeans: looks like it could be time to get our importing trousers on. A dark, shadowy figure claiming to be "close" to Square Enix has told Eurogamer that the much-ballyhooed Chrono Trigger DS will reach the continent next February. That ties in neatly with Square Enix's previous estimations of "early 2009."
In a moment of madness, this UK-based blogger considered waiting another two months (on account that we don't get the Square tax on this side of the pond), only to realize OH WAIT IT'S FREAKIN' CHRONO TRIGGER. Any other non-North Americans importing a copy?
Gallery: Show and Tell: The Chrono crew
Metareview: Chrono Trigger DS
- GamesRadar (100/100) "If you've never played Chrono Trigger, you owe it to yourself to finally give this gaming touchstone a whirl. And if you have played it before, you can play it again, for no other reason than to see how new it all still feels. We would normally hesitate to give any rerelease such a high score, but this is the ultimate edition of a true classic."
- 1UP (100/100): "For fans, the reason to pick up Chrono Trigger is simply because it's available, intact, and enhanced. For newcomers, it's because the game has easily withstood the test of time."
- Game Informer (95/100): "It's a true classic, and playing it should be a government-mandated rite of passage for any role-playing fan."
- Nintendo Power (90/100): "Despite my criticisms, Chrono Trigger is an amazing adventure and a required purchase for ardent fans and anyone who's never played the game before." [Holiday 2008, p.82]
- IGN (88/100): "If you've never played Chrono Trigger before, buy this game. If you're a die-hard fan and want to support one of the greatest games of all time, buy this game. If you're having trouble validating a $40 purchase for what is ultimately the same game, it's the wrong choice for you, and your cash is better spent elsewhere."
- GameSpot (85/100): "Chrono Trigger is a fantastic synthesis of excellent storytelling, game design, music, and gameplay that has withstood the test of time and should be considered required playing for any fan of role-playing games. Though its extra content is hit or miss and it's essentially a direct port of a game released 13 years ago, the DS version is easily the definitive edition of this masterpiece,"
Gallery: Chrono Trigger
Metareview - Chrono Trigger (DS)
- GamesRadar (100/100) "If you've never played Chrono Trigger, you owe it to yourself to finally give this gaming touchstone a whirl. And if you have played it before, you can play it again, for no other reason than to see how new it all still feels. We would normally hesitate to give any rerelease such a high score, but this is the ultimate edition of a true classic."
- 1UP (95/100): "For fans, the reason to pick up Chrono Trigger is simply because it's available, intact, and enhanced. For newcomers, it's because the game has easily withstood the test of time."
- Game Informer (95/100): "It's a true classic, and playing it should be a government-mandated rite of passage for any role-playing fan."
- IGN (88/100): "If you've never played Chrono Trigger before, buy this game. If you're a die-hard fan and want to support one of the greatest games of all time, buy this game. If you're having trouble validating a $40 purchase for what is ultimately the same game, it's the wrong choice for you, and your cash is better spent elsewhere."
- GameSpot (85/100): "Chrono Trigger is a fantastic synthesis of excellent storytelling, game design, music, and gameplay that has withstood the test of time and should be considered required playing for any fan of role-playing games. Though its extra content is hit or miss and it's essentially a direct port of a game released 13 years ago, the DS version is easily the definitive edition of this masterpiece,"
Show and Tell: The Chrono crew
Take the guided tour right here, or jump into the gallery below if you prefer to be a little more free with the space-time continuum ... or, uh, our Show and Tell presentation.
Gallery: Show and Tell: The Chrono crew
Show and Tell is all about fan stuff, so long as it's Nintendo-related. We love to see your collections, your crafts, your frosted creations, your t-shirts and swag of all sorts.Just snap a few pictures, tell us what's up, and send it all to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll take care of the rest. Not a handy type, but found something neat? Send us a link instead.A chance to partly spoil Chrono Trigger for yourself
Warning: image links to SPOILER-filled video.
Perhaps in an effort to justify the Square tax, or perhaps because having thirteen unique conclusions (and two further variations) just isn't enough, Square Enix added a new ending (and a new boss) to Chrono Trigger DS. The game lands in North American stores today, but footage of the new ending and boss fight is already up on YouTube in English, and embedded after the break (we shall assume "Blackwyn" used the English language option that's in the Japanese game).
At this point, we're going to throw you the obligatory SPOILERS warning, because there are SPOILERS -- big ones -- in the video after the break. SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS. Also, you should probably avoid the comments section. You know, because there may be SPOILERS.
Gallery: Chrono Trigger
DS releases for the week of November 24th
This week, Japan gets what we desperately want -- another dose of Professor Layton -- but the pain of that is mitigated somewhat by Chrono Trigger and the rest of the North American lineup. Not a bad holiday week all in all! As ever, we're curious what you might be picking up now, and what you're interested in for later.- Age of Empire: Mythologies
- All Star Cheer Squad
- Chrono Trigger
- Chrysler Classic Racing
- Cradle of Rome
- Emma in the Mountains
- Imagine: Gymnast
- Neopets Puzzle Adventure
- Personal Trainer: Cooking
- Syberia
New games this week: Chrono Trigger edition
What's left to fear? Prince of Persia next week? Heck, you could do a Prince of Persia week in your sleep by this point. No, you did it, you made it through. We like to think you may have even learned a couple of things about yourself along the way.
