Chrono Trigger Review

Chrono Trigger, a game heralded as an ageless masterpiece and a gem in the realm of role-playing games (RPGs), remains relevant even after a quarter of a century since its initial release.


Chrono Trigger was first launched on the Super Famicom (Super NES) on March 11, 1995. Its legacy trails back to the golden age of the 16-bit era when a team of extraordinarily talented RPG creators collaborated to give birth to this epic game.


The first aspect that sets Chrono Trigger apart from its contemporaries is its time-traveling concept. The silent protagonist, Crono, embarks on a journey through time when his friend Marle is swallowed by a mysterious time portal. This chain of events propels him on an adventure through the past and the future that gradually escalates into a battle for the fate of the world.



The second unique feature of Chrono Trigger lies in its innovative battle system, which was, and remains, remarkably distinctive. The game allows the player to control a party of up to three heroes and engage foes directly in the environment. The third option - "Tech" - makes things even more interesting by allowing the heroes to combine their moves to create powerful combos.


The depth of the characters' personalities, their individual sidequests, and the ability to choose from more than three characters at a time, while only using three in battle, lends this game an unparalleled replayability quotient. This replayability aspect is further accentuated by the innovative concept of "New Game +", which allows players to restart the game with their powered-up characters intact after completing the story.



Chrono Trigger also innovated by offering players multiple ending sequences that could be achieved based on the choices made during gameplay. This feature added another layer of replayability to the game.


The game's enchanting artwork and captivating soundtrack are worth noting. These elements brought together the exceptional features of time travel, innovative battle system, and replayability to create a game that was, and still is, considered a masterpiece.



Chrono Trigger has been re-released on different platforms, including the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 1. Each version added something new to the game, like new dungeons, retranslated scripts, or anime-style cutscenes.


However, nothing beats the original experience of playing the game as it first existed. The original Super NES version of the game offers players an experience that is as close as possible to what players had in 1995.



Despite the availability of updated versions, the original Chrono Trigger, available on the Wii's Virtual Console, comes with the highest recommendation. It offers players a chance to revisit the classic game in its original form, and it's worth every penny.


Regardless of the future of Virtual Console titles, Chrono Trigger stands as a testament to the greatness that can be achieved in video game development. Whether you're a first-time player or a seasoned gamer looking to relive the nostalgia, Chrono Trigger is a game that's worth your time and money.