Chrono Trigger DS countdown ends, 'reveals' Chrono Trigger
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Jul 6th 2008 at 12:00PM }
After much speculation and painful hours of sitting on pins and needles, Square-Enix confirmed that their chronometric teaser was, in fact, counting down to the big reveal of a Nintendo DS adaptation of Chrono Trigger. The countdown just ended, revealing the first pseudo-trailer for the game; following Squeenix's promise for a "newly revamped" version of what many consider to be the greatest RPG of all time, our hopes were high for a 3D remake, ala Final Fantasy III and IV -- though the trailer shows that the visuals will retain their charming 16-bit aesthetic.
The trailer doesn't show off the game's new features, like the new dungeon, wireless play and touch screen support -- though it does end by touting the Winter 2008 release window we'd previously heard. Hopefully, future media for the title will show us exactly why we'll need to purchase the game again (other than the fact that it's frakkin' Chrono Trigger) -- until then, we'll be anxiously awaiting Christmas morning, when we'll scurry to the foyer to discover that Ho-Ho has left us stockingfuls of heartwarming nostalgia.
Update: We've got the post-countdown trailer posted after the jump, courtesy of GameVideos.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 12:06PM
I just saw the trailer... oh, good memories.
I hope they add more endings.
Jerk Face @ Jul 6th 2008 2:14PM
Chrono Trigger is the best video game I have ever played in my entire life. More endings would just be too much for me. It would be too much Awesome for me to handle!
Zeedo @ Jul 7th 2008 5:58PM
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/178/ctsb0.jpg
The official cover.
FrogKnight @ Sep 2nd 2008 8:55PM
they did change the name of the main character or spelled it diffrently, i remember the name was crono not chrono, but eh still a awsome game
WRE (PSN: WorstReviewEver; Gamertag: HaloKissesBoys; Wii Friend Code: 4204-4590-6106-3583) @ Jul 6th 2008 12:13PM
The last time I played this was on the PS2 about 4 years ago, but I'm excited for a version won't have the ridiculous load times you were afflicted with every time you accessed the menu.
Jakka @ Jul 6th 2008 12:17PM
Unlike the Diablo 3 splash screen, honestly is there anyone who didn't see this one coming?
007craft @ Jul 6th 2008 12:21PM
instead of remaking every game under the sun for the ds, why doesn't square create sequels in the 2d verse to these games?
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 12:28PM
Well... Square Enix is creating sequels and new IP's for the DS besides the remakes.
New games are for example, The World Ends With You, Heroes of Mana, Children of Mana, Dragon Quest Rocker Slime, etc.
And sequels include: Dragon Quest IX, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Final Fantasy Tactics A2, etc.
And remakes: Dragon Quest IV, V, VI, Final Fantasy games, Chrono Trigger.
And new upcoming games: Sigma Harmonics, Valkirye Profile, Kingdom Hearts.
Rico @ Jul 6th 2008 1:05PM
Perhaps because they can charge just as much for a remake and it costs less to make it.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 6th 2008 10:53PM
While they bear little resemblence to their ancestors, Heroes and Children of Mana aren't new IPs. They're still part of the Mana series (Seiken Densetsu series in Japan).
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 6th 2008 12:22PM
This is complete bullshit. I've played through Chrono Trigger on the SNES and PS1 and still have my copies for both of them, there is no way I'm going to pay the usual Squenix game price of $40 unless they add more then a new dungeon and what sounds like worthless wireless play. I want more to the game, but I doubt we will get that given that they announced it and plan to release it within 5 months. I love the Final Fantasy ports where they've actually recreated them and put time into them, but this is a complete cash in without any effort at all.
Markusdragon @ Jul 6th 2008 2:55PM
Some of us haven't got either version, though. Some of us are too young, or too new to gaming, or in my case, too European.
Chris Wilkerson @ Jul 6th 2008 3:25PM
This is no different than re-print a movie on a new medium, ie: originally debuted in theater only 50 years ago, was later added to beta, and then VHS, and now on DVD.
The point of this process is not only making money for the film/game, but it's also either fulfilling nostalgia or introducing newcomers to the fine work at hand. It would be a cash-in if Square-Enix was trying to rerelease all of their games every new console, they're clearly picking a classic title. It could also be prep for another chrono release, ie: introduce new people to it and come out with a sequel later.
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 6th 2008 8:32PM
Okay, so some people haven't played it yet...same with the DS Final Fantasies, so why not do a 3D remake that old and new can enjoy?
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 6th 2008 11:02PM
Hehe... "too European."
theclaw @ Jul 6th 2008 12:27PM
I'm not European. But I understand their annoyance.
They still hasn't gotten this, Super Mario RPG, Earthboun... Or even Mega Man 6, despite getting Mega Man 1-5 and 7-8.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jul 6th 2008 1:08PM
Yeah at this point I pretty much recommend people who want these games on VC to just get the emulator and get these games. An added bonus (besides ya know...playing them) is you also get to avoid the absurd prices Nintendo charges for SNES games on VC.
Or you guys can wait forever for them to come out on VC, whatever works.
Mr Khan @ Jul 6th 2008 6:22PM
Super Mario RPG is definitely coming, as Japan already has it, and ESRB revealed that EarthBound is in the pipes, so it may arrive in Europe too
Proper localization for these titles is severely in doubt, but one is here, and the other is coming
Though for the proper square games, i'd agree with tmac, most won't come except in the form of a full-priced remake, so the only way to acquire the original is to emulate
WRE (PSN: WorstReviewEver; Gamertag: HaloKissesBoys; Wii Friend Code: 4204-4590-6106-3583) @ Jul 6th 2008 8:35PM
I know, tmac, it's just that some of us aren't, how do I put this delicately...thieves. Some of us aren't thieves. We want to actually support the gaming industry. I know it sounds crazy, but there it is.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jul 7th 2008 9:23AM
You're supporting Nintendo by buying VC games, with a portion of the money going to developers. It costs virtually nothing to put straight ports on the VC. You can call me a thief all you want, but I'm not the tard spending 8 bucks on SNES games or 10 bucks on N64 games.
Dan @ Jul 6th 2008 12:29PM
What I really want to know is if that release date for 2008 Winter is for Worldwide release or Japan only?? Anyone know by any chance?
3cubed (4squared plus 2squared) @ Jul 6th 2008 12:34PM
US is getting it this year also . Don't know about PAL.
SoulBlade @ Jul 6th 2008 12:37PM
I'm a bit disappointed that they didn't put in a visual upgrade. Hopefully they're saving that for a PSP version or something.
Anni @ Jul 6th 2008 1:18PM
"PSP version"
snickering_elf_boy.jpg
rTwelve [xbl:chilblane] @ Jul 6th 2008 1:38PM
"snickering_elf_boy.jpg"
angry asian man.jpg
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 6th 2008 11:04PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/BPMdotEXE/Macros/LaughingElfMan.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/BPMdotEXE/Macros/RAGE.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/BPMdotEXE/Macros/Gentlemen.jpg
juju187 @ Jul 6th 2008 12:38PM
Magus FTW
Jerk Face @ Jul 6th 2008 2:18PM
You, sir, are a man of integrity and honor.
prateeko @ Jul 6th 2008 1:04PM
How the hell can you guys complain about this game NOT being in 3D? FFIII on the DS should have been in 2D, it looks better that way (at least with the DSes screen res)...
Shadow El @ Jul 6th 2008 1:22PM
FFIII was easily the best looking game on DS. I would have felt cheated had it been a 3-D remake.
The cutscenes are at home console level, and the in-game graphics were a bit jagged, but still good looking as far as the DS goes.
And still, FFIV will trump it.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 6th 2008 11:05PM
Well, it's not hard to make high quality pre-rendered videos... Even the GBA had some.
bleh @ Jul 6th 2008 1:05PM
Good thing they didn't port this to the GBA. It would've ended up butchered beyond belief. They probably learned that after FF6A.
And 007craft, you probably learned this already, but Squeenix NEVER does what the fans want. A proper sequel would've been to progressive for them.
lando @ Jul 6th 2008 9:00PM
What? The GBA release of FF6 was better than any other western release in nearly every way.
bleh @ Jul 7th 2008 10:55AM
Thanks for your reply. I don't know what you mean when you say that "better than any other western release in every other way." I'm guessing that you mean the game made it to the shelves with a re-translated script and the correct number this time, not to mention the extra spells, espers, and dungeon. My objections are the technical shortcomings in contrast to the original SNES cart; they made the game unplayable for me.
I had problems with the "remixed" music, which turned out to rather grating on the nerves, with some it even unrecognizable compared to the first version. This is mostly the GBA's doing, as its sound channels are rather inadequate compared to the SNES. The sound effects were barely recognizable, and playing "Shadow's Dreams" will illustrate the fact clearly.
There was, whether you will admit or not, terrible lag in battles. It could, in a worst-case scenario, lead you to select the wrong spell or item. And if you say that I could work around this, I'd refuse to deal with a problem that wasn't present in the first version. The fact that the animations were also downgraded doesn't speak very well to the port or the battle system (which thankfully remained as it was).
In my opinion, the extra content isn't anything to write home about either. It seemed to be quickly mashed together, a complete waste of time. But this aspect of the game is certainly open to rebuttal.
All in all, FF6A is a horribly underdone port of a great game. Squeenix probably saw this from the beginning and only sought to make a quick buck off of the public. Honestly, people would be better off trying to find the original.
bleh @ Jul 7th 2008 1:24PM
I apologize, sir. I misquoted you.
Osiris @ Jul 6th 2008 1:09PM
Oh god I hope they don't waste the opportunity and just make a straight port..
religiousjedi @ Jul 6th 2008 1:17PM
If I said this game seems (as it always has been in my eyes) a zzzz-fest, would I get thrown to the lions?
tmacairjordan87 @ Jul 6th 2008 1:19PM
I think you had to play it back then to get the full effect. For example I missed this when I was a kid somehow, but I can't stand it at all when I'm playing through it on my emulator. I just can't get into it.
Stu L Tissimus @ Jul 6th 2008 1:37PM
Chrono Trigger isn't for everybody, but it is a prime example of an excellent JRPG. The trailer makes it seem like a snoozefest mostly because they don't show the battle system. :D
t_m @ Jul 7th 2008 2:03AM
if i still had my lions... grrr..
I played it for the first time about 2 years ago on an emulator, and its one of the best and most involving games I've ever played.
Guess it just depends on what you look for in a game.
(on the other hand, I keep trying to play FF6 and I just can't get into that at all).
FSK405K @ Jul 6th 2008 1:29PM
Hooray for 2D 16-bit sprites! 3D is the suck...3D Castlevania, 3D Worms, 3D Sonic, 3D Bomberman, 3D Megaman...all CRAP!
Jacksons @ Jul 6th 2008 2:20PM
Keeping the same sprites or not, they still could have improved some things. Perhaps having higher detailed spell/attack effects to take advantage of the DS's stronger processor.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 6th 2008 11:09PM
I disagree on the last two.
The two Bomberman 64s and Bomberman Hero on N64 were awesome. Though, the GameCube ones... not so much (multiplayer was still good, though, and that's all that matters in a Bomberman game).
And have you played MegaMan Legends? Awesome game. As was its sequel and prequel (Misadventures of Tron Bonne).
And the PSP remakes of the first Megaman and Megaman X were excellent (though, they were only 3D in their graphics, not gameplay)
DmNt @ Jul 6th 2008 1:37PM
What a lame port. They are not even upgrading the graphics or sound. There is no reason why I should buy this, especially if it's going to be the typical DS price for a game. If it's just a port, shouldn't it be on the VC? Oh but wait, that would mean it would only cost 8 dollars...and Square would be losing money...
The only thing it looks like they are doing is retranslating it (thank God) but that's already been done as a fan made project, so unless Square actually adds more to the game to justify the price, I'm not buying.
I wouldn't be surprised if they just took the fan made retranslation and used that.
Donald @ Jul 6th 2008 2:02PM
If what you're referring to is the straight across translation favoured by the Chrono Comprendium, I'm hoping they only take a small portion of it. It's Ozzie, Slash and Flea, dangnabbit.
DmNt @ Jul 6th 2008 3:24PM
@Donald
Yes that's what I was suffering to. I actually liked the translation a lot and I think they did a substantially good job on it.
aristokrat @ Jul 6th 2008 3:48PM
^^ Could I get a translation of this? Suffering to? Substantially good job? =P
DmNt @ Jul 6th 2008 9:01PM
Did I actually say "suffering"?? man, this is why I need coffee in the morning. What I meant to say is:
"lol, yes that's what I was referring to. I actually liked the translation a lot and I think they did a substantially good job on it."
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 6th 2008 11:12PM
Gato > Gonzales
(though, both are cool names)
But, hell yeah on Ozzie, Slash, and Flea over their Japanese condiment counterparts.
david @ Jul 6th 2008 1:38PM
i wish they would make these for the home consoles, as it stands I would have bought, FFIII Remake, FFIV Remake, and probably this. I don't own a DS and have no use for one, If I'm not at home I am the one driving or I am doing something more than playing a video game, if I am at home I would rather play on my TV or computer screen, and duel screens I find to be very gimmicky.