Chrono Trigger: The Hands of Time Move Once More

Posted by Jonathan McNamara at 3:16 AM Jul 03, 2008

You can review a game, you can hype a game, but there exists but one true test to determine a game's worth: How much hype does its re-release get?

Chrono Trigger was initially released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in August of 1995. That's over 13 years ago. In fact, that's three generations of Nintendo console systems ago. When Chrono Trigger was initially released, Square-Enix was still Square Soft and nobody even knew that Chrono Trigger character designer Akira Toriyama's bigger claim to fame was that he created Dragon Ball.

Since then, Chrono Trigger has been re-released once for the original Play Station in Japan. In America, we saw it as part of Final Fantasy Chronicles, a two disc package containing Final Fantasy IV with added CG cut scenes and Chrono Trigger with animated cinematic scenes based on Akira Toriyama's designs.

Chrono Trigger also inspired a sequel in "Chrono Cross" which despite having cameo appearances by Chrono Trigger's lead characters never lived up to the legacy of its predecessor.

Now years later, Square-Enix is bringing Chrono back to the future with an American, holiday season re-release for Nintendo DS; and the internet (or at least the portions who follow video game news) has exploded.

What do we know so far? According to a press release issued by Square-Enix today, Chrono Trigger DS will feature:

• "A dual-screen presentation with touch screen functionality"


• "A brand new dungeon and a wireless play mode"

Will Square-Enix adapt the dual-screen so that more of the field can be seen at a given time or does "dual-screen presentation" mean the menu will be constantly available? And what of this "wireless play mode?" Does this mean Chrono Trigger will be made multiplayer in the same vein as Secret of Mana? Stay tuned to find out.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be watching this clock.