About Chrono Trigger
History
Chrono Trigger on SNES
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Chrono Trigger is a legendary RPG developed by Squaresoft and released for the Super Nintendo in 1995. At launch, it had a hefty price tag—typically around $80 in the U.S., though depending on the store, it could range anywhere from $70 to $90. That was unusually expensive for the time, considering most SNES games sold for about $50. But it was a premium title, and the price reflected the ambition behind it.
The game was created by what fans often call the “Dream Team.” This group included some of the biggest names in Japanese game development. Hironobu Sakaguchi, the mind behind Final Fantasy, worked alongside Yuji Horii, the creator of Dragon Quest. The character designs were handled by Akira Toriyama, famous for Dragon Ball and Dragon Quest. Producer Kazuhiko Aoki oversaw the whole project, and even Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu contributed to the soundtrack.
Two lesser-known names at the time also played major roles: Yasunori Mitsuda composed the majority of the music and gave Chrono Trigger its unique sound, while Masato Kato wrote much of the story. Both would go on to make major contributions to titles like Xenogears and Xenosaga. In short, Chrono Trigger had talent stacked from top to bottom.
One of the ways Chrono Trigger stood out was its battle system. Like Earthbound, it broke the typical JRPG mold by removing random encounters. You could see enemies walking around the environments before a fight even began. Better yet, battles took place right on the map—no transition to a separate screen. And you weren't always forced to fight; sometimes you could sneak past enemies entirely.
Chrono Trigger was more than just another RPG. It was a moment—a fusion of talent, innovation, and vision that pushed the genre forward in ways we're still talking about today.
Chrono Trigger Anime
The Chrono Trigger anime was a 20-minute special released exclusively at a Japanese trade show sometime during the 90s. The anime is a spoof poking fun at the game. You can find more info about it and even view it in my Chrono Trigger anime section.
Final Fantasy Chronicles
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Because of the success of the Final Fantasy Anthology (the bundle containing Final Fantasy 5 & 6), Squaresoft decided to release Final Fantasy Chronicles in June 2001. This was a bundle that included re-releases of Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger. Nothing's new with the games themselves; they're direct ports of their SNES versions. However, as with Final Fantasy Anthology, they tossed in some animated sequences. Unlike the CGI sequences added to the Final Fantasy's, Chrono Trigger got something better - anime sequences! And in the same style as the character art by Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball Z). For FF Chronicles screenshots and clips, check out my section dedicated to it.
Chrono Trigger on Nintendo DS
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In November 2008, Square Enix released a port of Chrono Trigger for the Nintendo DS. The contains all the bonus material from the PlayStation port as well as other enhancements. The added features include a more accurate translation by Tom Slattery, a dual-screen mode that clears the top screen of all menus, a self-completing map screen, and a default "run" option. Masato Kato participated in development, overseeing the addition of the monster-battling Arena and two new areas, the Lost Sanctum and the Dimensional Vortex. One of the areas within the Vortex uses the "Singing Mountain" song that was featured on the original Chrono Trigger soundtrack. Click here to view some screenshots
Chrono Trigger on iOS/Android
In December 2011, Chrono Trigger was released for Apple's iOS. In October 2012, Chrono Trigger was released for Android. Aside from a wider screen and touch screen support, it's the same game we all know and love.
Chrono Trigger on Steam
In 2018, Chrono Trigger was ported to Steam (Windows). Its initial release was a disaster. They tried to make the graphics better by using filters (similar to what we see on emulators). And the game was literred with misaligned tiles. The port was so bad, it was news-worthy. Forbes commented: “From pretty awful graphical issues, such as tiling textures and quite a painful menu system, this port really doesn’t do this classic game justice.” They eventually patched it, and now the game can be played in its original beautiful & sharp pixels.
The Story
In the year 1000 A.D., the Kingdom of Guardia enjoys a time of peace. But that peace is an illusion. A young boy named Crono has been chosen by unseen guardian spirits. His mission: to stop a disaster that won’t strike until the year 1999. A creature called Lavos, buried deep within the Earth, has been slowly shaping the world toward ruin for thousands of years.
To change this fate, Crono must travel through time—across centuries and eras—altering history to stop Lavos before it's too late. Along the way, you’ll face monsters, explore lost civilizations, and unravel the secrets of the past and future. Some people you meet will offer clues. Others will become trusted allies. Listen carefully—every word matters.
Crono wakes up to the start of a new day. The Millennial Fair has come to Leene Square, and he heads there to enjoy the celebration. While exploring the fairgrounds, he accidentally bumps into a girl named Marle. She’s energetic, curious, and quick to befriend him. The two spend the day together and eventually arrive at a science exhibit. Crono’s best friend, Lucca, is showing off her latest invention—a teleportation device built with her father. Marle volunteers to try it out, but something goes wrong. Instead of teleporting across the room, she vanishes into thin air.
Lucca quickly figures out what happened: the machine tore open a portal through time. Marle was sent into the past. Without hesitation, Crono steps into the device and follows her. He finds her in a medieval kingdom, hundreds of years in the past. But something’s wrong—Marle’s presence is causing a distortion in history. After resolving the issue and bringing her back to the present, Crono learns her true identity: she’s actually Princess Nadia, heir to the throne of Guardia.
Despite rescuing her, Crono is accused of kidnapping the princess. He’s arrested and thrown in jail. But with help from Lucca—and Marle herself—he escapes. The three are soon cornered by royal guards. With no other option, they activate Lucca’s time gate and vanish again. This time, they land in a devastated future. Cities lie in ruins. The sky is dark. And what they discover there changes everything.
They witness the moment Lavos awakens—and destroys the world. From that point on, their goal becomes clear. Crono and his friends must journey through time—ancient past, ruined future, and everything in between—to stop Lavos from bringing the world to its end. The fate of time itself is in their hands.
Battle System
Enemies walking around - touching them will enter a battle
Chrono Trigger plays like a traditional turn-based JRPG, but with some clever innovations that make it stand out. One of the first things you'll notice is how battles work. Instead of switching to a separate battle screen like most RPGs, combat happens right on the map where you're walking. There are no random encounters here—you'll see enemies moving around ahead of you. Sometimes you can avoid them entirely by slipping past, but other times they’ll spot you or catch you off guard with an ambush. If an enemy makes contact, a battle begins right there, seamlessly transitioning without any jarring screen changes.
Sample of a dual combo attack
Each character in your party has a growing list of special techniques and abilities. Some are unique physical skills, while others are magical in nature. However, magic isn’t available from the start. You'll gain access to it later, when you reach the mysterious End of Time—usually about a fifth of the way into the game. There, you're granted magical powers tied to elements like fire, water, lightning, and shadow, depending on the character. This marks a big turning point in both combat strategy and the story.
What really sets Chrono Trigger’s battles apart, though, is the combo system. Characters can team up to perform powerful dual and triple techs—special attacks that combine their abilities for dramatic and often devastating effects. These combos unlock automatically as characters grow and fight together. Experimenting with different party combinations becomes part of the fun, since some of the strongest attacks in the game come from these triple techs. Whether it’s slashing through a wave of enemies or delivering a massive elemental blast, combo attacks keep battles dynamic and exciting throughout the entire adventure.
Tips and Strategy
If you want an easier time getting through the game, keeping Marle in your party is a smart move. She's one of the best healers in Chrono Trigger and can keep your team alive during tougher battles. A solid party setup for most of the game is Crono, Marle, and Lucca. Not only do they cover a good balance of magic and physical attacks, but Marle and Lucca also learn one of the strongest Double Techs in the game: Antipode 3. This combo hits hard and can be a game-changer in boss fights.
Combat in Chrono Trigger is nicely balanced between physical and magical attacks. While magic can deal massive damage, its effectiveness depends on the enemy’s elemental resistance. Some enemies shrug off fire or ice without much trouble. That’s why physical attacks are always reliable—they may not hit as hard as your best spells, but they consistently deal decent damage across the board.
Later in the game, especially near the final areas, you may hit a wall if you're under-leveled. Don’t hesitate to spend time leveling up your characters if a boss feels too overwhelming. Like most RPGs, it’s also important to keep your inventory stocked with healing items and status recovery gear. And, of course, save often—especially before major story events or when entering a new dungeon.
One of the best places to grind and prepare for the final battle is the Black Omen. It’s packed with enemies that give generous experience and Tech Points. Plus, you can go through it multiple times in different time periods, making it the perfect place to strengthen your party before facing Lavos.
My Opinion
Chrono Trigger is one of those rare games that truly needs no introduction. It’s so beloved and influential that it still comes up in gaming communities almost every day, decades after its release. You can see just how deeply it resonates with people by looking at the fan projects, remixes, mods, and discussions it continues to inspire. Not even Final Fantasy VI—amazing as it is—gets this much ongoing attention, though honestly, I wish it did.
To me, Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest RPGs ever made. It's the kind of game that leaves a mark on you. For many fans, it’s not just a favorite—it’s the favorite. Everything about it is polished to near perfection: the unforgettable storyline, the expressive pixel art, the fluid animation, the inventive battle system, and of course, the legendary soundtrack by Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu.
When Chrono Trigger first came out, it felt like the peak of the genre—like RPG fans had just been handed the ultimate experience. Some even joked it was the “RPG to end all RPGs.” It offered emotional storytelling, time travel twists, and multiple endings at a time when most games barely scratched the surface of those ideas. Oh, and yes—it even has a drag queen. You’ll know when you see her. She’s fabulous.
Chrono Trigger isn’t just a classic. It’s a masterpiece. One of those games that still makes people say, “Yup, this is it. This is how it’s done.“ Enough said.
Fanbase Accomplishments
Due to the immense popularity of Chrono Trigger, talented fans have felt the need to give something back.
Chrono Trigger Resurrection
This is surely the most impressive and most promising remake ever devised by the fan community. These people were recreating Chrono Trigger in 3D! The graphics are gorgeous, even better than most Xbox games. This project began in early 2004 until September 2006 when Square Enix shut down the project with a cease & desist letter. Disappointing, huh? They even established the battle engine. Their trailer is on YouTube if you want to awe at how awesome this project was. Evidently, their trailer going viral is probably what caught Square Enix's attention to shut down it down. Check out their homepage if you want to learn some more about it.
Chrono Trigger Coliseum
Did you enjoy the coliseum in Final Fantasy 6? Released October 25, 2005, a patch was made that adds one to Chrono Trigger in 2300 AD. Something like this has never been done. It's one of the most major and significant feats of the classic gaming fanbase. You can download the patch at the link provided, or in my Downloads section.
Chrono Symphonic
Talented musicians who had immensely enjoyed the Chrono Trigger soundtrack had remade it into symphonic melodies. It's as if the soundtrack was prepared for a Chrono Trigger motion picture! It was very well-made. Except, personally, these songs are too mellow for my taste. They released this soundtrack on January 3, 2006. Check out their homepage to learn more and listen to it.
Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes
This isn't some dumb little game made in RPG Maker. It's an extensive hack of SNES Chrono Trigger game. Yes. And it's a whole new game with new adventures and all. Here's the description from its ReadMe:
"Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes is a planned ROM hack sequel to Chrono Trigger that aims to follow the old adventurers on a new journey. Besides providing a fun experience, this project aims to enliven Chrono Trigger ROM hacking by displaying the power and possibilities of the program Temporal Flux, which can edit nearly every aspect of the game."
Intriguing, eh? Click here to view some screenshots from it. The Crimson Echoes beta was released in early 2006. However, it wasn't long until Square-Enix found out, and they gave the project the boot. In early 2011, a near-finished version of Crimson Echoes was leaked out onto the Internet. Another group grabbed the torch and continued work on the game where the previous group left off, fixing bugs and such. They renamed it to Flames of Eternity. You can download Flames of Eternity from my Downloads section.
Chrono Trigger Retranslation
The Chrono Trigger fan retranslation gives us a chance to experience Chrono Trigger the way it was meant to be. It's properly translated and 100% uncut and uncensored. Finally, we have a clearer portrayal of Chrono Trigger as intended by its Japanese creators (no thanks to Nintendo's strict censorship standards). It was released on September 28, 2007. You can download this patch from my Downloads section.
Chrono Trigger: Prophet's Guile
Like Crimson Echoes, this is another extensive hack of Chrono Trigger. It's a whole new game with new adventures and all. Here's the description from its ReadMe:
"Chrono Trigger: Prophet’s Guile is a fan game following the story of Magus’s rise to power in the Kingdom of Zeal after arriving in 12000 B.C. thanks to the distortion at his lair. In his bid to stop Lavos at the Ocean Palace, Magus must gain the trust of Queen Zeal and abolish all opposition. It’s about two regular Chrono Trigger chapters long, and full of surprises."
Awesome, huh? It was released on December 25, 2007. However, this game is much shorter than Crimson Echoes; expect this to be a 'quickie'. Click here to view some screenshots. You can download this patch from my Downloads section.
