It’s really all in the headline — the enhanced DS port of Chrono Trigger, formerly scheduled for a vague “holiday” release, has now been pegged for November 25th. Considering the game’s rabid fanbase, that’s probably all you needed to know anyhow.
While we’d be remiss in truly recommending a title for purchase without giving it our full scrutiny, we’re almost tempted to make an exception for Chrono Trigger DS. Those who have yet to experience the seminal RPG in one of its many forms are long overdue, and even old hands might be tempted to pick up this portable update. From what we saw at E3 2008, the DS version will be the best, most complete version of the game ever released.
Your press release follows the jump.
Los Angeles (August 18, 2008)
Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that its highly anticipated Nintendo DS™ title CHRONO TRIGGER® will ship to North American retailers on November 25, 2008. A groundbreaking RPG that became an instant classic, CHRONO TRIGGER is set to be one of the most compelling handheld titles available this holiday season.
Remastered exclusively for Nintendo DS, this newly enhanced edition maintains all of the game’s original elements and spirit while introducing portability, dual-screen presentation and Touch Screen functionality.
Originally released in 1995 on the Super NES® and subsequently shipping more than 2.5 million copies worldwide, CHRONO TRIGGER is critically acclaimed as one of the greatest video games of all time. Praise continued to be showered upon the title at last month’s E3 2008 Media and Business Summit, with CHRONO TRIGGER receiving accolades including “Best RPG” and “Best DS Game.”
Players can look forward to a reunion with CHRONO TRIGGER’s multifaceted storyline, memorable soundtrack and exhilarating gameplay this November.
STORY
When a newly developed teleportation device malfunctions at the Millennial Fair, young Crono must travel through time to rescue his misfortunate companion from an intricate web of past and present perils. The swashbuckling adventure that ensues soon unveils an evil force set to destroy the world, triggering Crono’s race against time to change the course of history and bring about a brighter future.
FEATURES
# A masterpiece with an engaging and unparalleled storyline, leading to the discovery of multiple epic conclusions to a journey that transcends time
# An inspiring musical score created by Yasunori Mitsuda
# Intriguing battle system made possible by the unique combination of the Active Time Battle system and Tech skills
# Famed character designer Akira Toriyama lends his signature art style to create the vibrant world that has captivated gamers around the world
# 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
# Brand-new dungeons and an Arena mode add exciting new dimensions to this timeless classic
CHRONO TRIGGER is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. The official website can be found at
August 19th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I’m torn here. I want to boycott this on principal, but i’m afraid doing so will lower the chances of square being impressed enough with Chrono sales to make a new installment to the series.
I asked for Chrono Trigger on GBA for years. It has for a long time been my favorite RPG, but when Square showed they could do more with the DS, and the virtual console was in full swing, my desires changed. The GBA couldn’t do much more with Chrono Trigger than they are doing - a new translation, a new area, yeah okay - but the DS can do MUCH more, as square themselves have proven. I would rather have seen a remake for the DS and a Port for the VC.
Buying this weak DS port only confirms to square that there really is no business sense in releasing a game for a discount when it will still sell at full price in other formats. Not that I can blame them.
I’ve wanted a portable Chrono Trigger for years, and I have faint hopes that high CT DS sales will revive the franchise - but do I really want to pay $30+ for the same game I have on my old SNES, with a few tacked on features?
August 19th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Oy, while i’m at it, I have some feedback!
I think the new site design launched a few weeks back looks great, I love everything about it - but I have some questions about the comments.
Obviously you track comments by email address, as I can see with the Subscription manager, but is there a way for readers to post with their own Avatars? I don’t see a “register” or “login” anywhere, so I assumed no, but perhaps I am missing something.
Last, at the bottom of each post, it now says “post a comment,” rather than “x comments,” illustrating how many are there. I sort of liked knowing what posts already had discussions going.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
@Seaniccus:
1.) Purchasing the game just to influence further Squeenix business decisions isn’t a good idea, because like you say, they could take those sales numbers to mean “hey, ports sell” just as easily as “hey, there’s interest in Chrono Trigger.”
That said, I certainly wouldn’t call this a weak port — unless there are some glaring flaws they managed to hide at E3, this is a very strong port indeed. It’s got the full cutscenes from FF Chronicles, loads quickly like the SNES game, and honestly looks better than either one thanks to the crisp LCD screen on the DS and the relocation of everything that typically blocks your view of the game’s art (status gauges etc.) to the touchscreen.
For those like yourself who are lucky enough to own an SNES copy and have played it to death, I’ll admit there may not be enough to warrant another playthrough. But — assuming the title is reviewed as well as I expect — it’s well worth it for everyone else, and possibly even you if your SNES cart backup battery is due for an overhaul
2.) I’ll ask our web designer about the avatars, but the number of comments is still available — it’s just at the upper-right-hand corner of each post now.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Perhaps “weak port” was a poor choice of words, and I agree that it is still a great buy for those who have not yet had a chance to play the game, or have not played it for quite some time. Despite the new touch capabilities and new dungeon, I’m surprised to find myself underwhelmed by the proposed presentation. Still, I haven’t written it off entirely - my USA release of Chrono Trigger was stolen many years ago, and while I know the game well enough to completely play through my Japanese language copy for the Super Famicom, it would be nice to have an English copy on hand. (And I’ve been told it’s a new translation as well.)
Chrono Trigger is a fantastic game, and i’m certainly not saying that this port is not going to be any less of a great game than it was on the SNES. Perhaps I expect too much, or maybe I am spoiled by Final Fantasy IV DS, a remake which made an old RPG seem like new.
I’m sure you folks will give it a good once over, I try to hold my tongue and wait until the reviews are in before I make any serious or unfair judgments.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:55 am
@ Seaniccus:
We use “Gravatars,” a globally-recognized avatar system that plugs in to blogs and websites and keeps a consistent avatar across them all. You can get one for free right here:
http://en.gravatar.com/
August 21st, 2008 at 5:35 pm
That’s awesome, thanks for the info Jessie.