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Chrono Trigger ds Game Reviews
Chrono Trigger
Critic Score
Metascore: 94 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.9 out of 10
based on 25 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 40 votes
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Rate this game

[Metacritic's 2008 DS Game of the Year] When a newly developed teleportation device malfunctions at the Millennial Fair, young Crono must travel through time to rescue his unfortunate 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 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. A brand new dungeon and a Wireless Play mode adds exciting new dimensions to this timeless classic. [Square Enix]

PUBLISHER: Square Enix
DEVELOPER: Square Enix
GENRE(S): Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)
RELEASE DATE: November 24, 2008

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
GamePro
Regardless of whether you played it already or are new to the series, you owe it to yourself to check out this amazing title. [Dec 2008, p.97]
100
Games Radar
We would normally hesitate to give any rerelease such a high score, but this is the ultimate edition of a true classic.
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100
1UP
For fans, the reason to pick up Chrono Trigger is simply because it's available, intact, and enhanced. For newcomers, it's because the game has easily withstood the test of time.
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100
G4 TV
This is a genuine classic, and portability just makes it that much better.
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100
EuroGamer
Chrono Trigger is a masterclass in RPG design, its execution so far beyond the quality and poise of contemporary JRPGs it's embarrassing. It represents the work of a company at the very top of its field, a team of designers so confident with the rules that they helped establish that they felt free to subvert and invert them to glorious effect.
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100
GameShark
It prides itself on being undyingly faithful to its source material; opting to create the ultimate edition of this must-own title with additions that never distract from the innovations that made the game a classic in the first place.
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100
Gaming Age
If you've never played Chrono Trigger, then this is the version to get. The port is great, it looks really solid on the DS, runs fine, and everything is intact.
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100
Cubed3
Regardless of whether or not you have played Chrono Trigger before, the DS remake is an absolute must-own for any RPG fan and is easily one of the year’s best releases.
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100
Zentendo
Chrono Trigger is one of the most charming, endearing, and most fun role playing games I have ever had the pleasure of playing.
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98
Worth Playing
Easily one of the best video games I've played in the recent past, and I've played quite a few of them. Whether or not you're a fan of consoled-based role-playing games, you owe it to yourself to try this one; it might just change your opinion of them.
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95
RPG Fan
While the DS can do more than the SNES could almost 15 years ago, this version of Chrono Trigger is definitively basic and could keep you entertained forever.
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94
Cheat Code Central
I could not be more pleased with this rerelease, and I certainly applaud Square Enix for rewarding their longtime fans with such a classic title on a current system. However, this game is not just for longtime fans, and if you have never been able to experience Chrono Trigger, the DS provides the perfect vehicle to do so.
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92
Gamer 2.0
It is definitely the most engaging RPG experience you’ll find on the DS and will continue to be played and praised.
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91
GameFocus
You don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars for a US SNES version on eBay, import a Super Famicom and game from Japan or play the weaker PSOne version. This game is not only one of the best games ever made, but one of the best DS games available right now that every DS and RPG fan should have in their collection.
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90
GameSpy
Chrono Trigger is one of the best examples of what the Japanese RPG experience can offer. Its gameplay feels more unique and inviting to those who aren't enamored with selecting boring attack commands for their static sprites to follow.
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90
NintendoWorldReport
Regardless of price or underwhelming extra features, this is an excellent and authentic port of my personal favorite game of all time, and one I would recommend to virtually anyone. If you can read, you should play Chrono Trigger, and the new DS version is an accessible way to do that.
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90
Kombo
Consider this one highly recommended. Chrono Trigger does not disappoint.
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90
Gamervision
Chrono Trigger DS is a remake done right, and both longtime fans and new players should pick it up.
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90
Pocket Gamer UK
Few games stand the test of time like Chrono Trigger. A role-playing classic, it's one of the very best the genre has to offer.
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90
Nintendo Power
Despite my criticisms, Chrono Trigger is an amazing adventure and a required purchase for ardent fans and anyone who's never played the game before. [Holiday 2008, p.82]
90
Game Informer
It's a true classic, and playing it should be a government-mandated rite of passage for any role-playing fan. [Dec 2008, p.130]
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90
Game Positive
Sticklers for plot and veterans who are only searching for something new in their old favorite may be disappointed, but for everyone else, Chrono Trigger has aged well.
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88
IGN
The game is virtually unchanged in its core, having a new script re-write, but retaining the visuals, music, character designs, interface styles, and options of the source material. At the same time, Square Enix also ensures that this is the definitive version of Chrono Trigger out there, as the game comes complete with every option you could ever want for touch vs. button control, two or single screen display, or game pacing and difficulty.
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88
GameZone
The must-have DS RPG you've like already played through, Chrono Trigger is a thoroughly entertaining game with a lengthy quest, an excellent combat system, an unforgettable soundtrack, likable characters and so much more.
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85
GameSpot
This perennial time-travel adventure is worth falling in love with all over again.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 40 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jordan S.n gave it a6:
I have never played this game on any other console (I've always been more of a PC gamer). The story is pretty good so far, but I find the gameplay a little on the shallow side. Battles are pretty boring for the most part, and some of the maps are really hard to navigate, meaning I can hardly tell which parts of the screen are navigable, and which are walls. The puzzles might be challenging for a 5th grader.

Zack S. gave it a10:
I try and like RPG's i really do, but most of the time i get bored with them a few days after i get this. Its either the story starts to waver or you get lost and have no idea were your going. but thats not the case with chrono trigger. Chrono trigger takes place in a alternative universe (OMG NO WAY!) Your main character is chrono, from what i see he is a teenage hero who has to save the worldd (OMG NO WAY) originol right? well actually it is. Chrono Trigger is a remake of a snes game and back then this was ground breaking stuff. I never played the originol Chrono Trigger but i have always heard about how awesome it was. When i heard of the DS remake i just had to get it. And i wish i hunted down a copy of it for the snes.. and a snes but ya this game is abosulty fantastic. After you start your journey with chronos you meet up with a princess that disguised as a normal person to blend in and excape the castle. (Again OMG NO WAY) After you meet up with her you meet one of your friends who is working on a teleporter. You test it out for her and it works. The princess wants to try it anfter you and from what i understood her amulet reacted to the teleporter and teleported hero into the past. You being the brave hero follow her. You find yourself back in the at the exact same spot you were before. Here you are intoduced to the combat mechanics. The combat mechanics are actually very cool and work very very well. If you ahve ever played Final Fantasy 10-2 you might know how this works better then i can explain it. There is a little bar and you ahve to wait for it to fill up to attack. (OMG THIS IS GROUND BREAKING STUFF) Yes its not turn base suprisingly. When your opponent attacks the bar stops and you have to wait for them to finish. Same if your allies attack. You can have up to 3 allys including chrono who can not be changed out. He always seems to be able to attack quicker then any of your allies and you can use combo attacks with your allies. A example if you use the combo of chrono adn lucca chrono runs up to the enemy and starts spinning his sword around (a move he can already do) But lucca uses her flame thrower and ignits the sword on fire and does burn damage to the enemy. The only down side is that when you try and use items it takes a few seconds to find everything and you feel rushed if you are in a boss battle. The intier game can be played using the touch screen. I found myself going back and fourth between the styles and the buttons. Thats only because im more used to using the buttons but when it comes to battle its best to use the syalus. I have to go (in study hall bell just rung) But before i do let me just say that this is one of the few games i actually finished for the DS. Im not much of a handheld gamer but this game is a classic and classics dont die. They are just reborn.

Edgar V. gave it a10:
There is not much new stuff to say about Chrono Trigger DS, people have already seen it, played and loved it... Once again the greatest game of all time returns on a perfect edition that brings the best RPG elements of the last century to the tweaks of the current one. Overall, a game that has no equal and that finally will be accessible even for the PAL territories... a must play!

Rob gave it an8:
I've a few choice words about this "remake". The graphics are still SNES quality, and other than... Tacked-on touchscreen controls (why do I have to double-tap every selection during battle? Doesn't that defeat the purpose? Even the Pokemon DS game has better touch controls than that) Animation sequences that add nothing to the game (they feel like nothing more than a throwback to an FMV-happy PSX era which ironically dates the game even more than the sprite-based graphics) An uninspired monster battle arena (a tired genre which even the reviewers hate and has little to do with the main storyline) ...it's practically a direct port. For this, you to pay a premium $40 pricetag for a 10+ year old game that most people have played to death. When Capcom released Resident Evil Wii it was a 2-year old game came improved controls, every feature available AND a cheaper price. I LOVE playing Chrono Trigger on a handheld, and I LOVE having the top screen menu-free during battle, but the only reason this game gets insanely-perfect reviews is a decade's worth of fanboy deprivation.

RavenWolfx gave it a9:
I love this game. I owned it for the SNES and PS1 re-release and played it for hours, beating it several different times with different endings. I could go on for a long time telling you how great this game is, but I'll leave this to the basics. New Game + should be in every RPG and this is one of the first to impliment it (as far as I know). This game has around 12 different endings. Extra features have been added to this like a new dungeon and new items. There is also an updated translation. This is an amazing RPG and I hope they re-release Chrono Cross also. The downsides are few, but the main one is that it is easy. Especially on New Game +, this game needs a Hard mode or something. The animated cutscenes that were added in the PS1 version are still here, but in my opinion, lame. While classic, the cover art is still wrong since Marle (the girl pictured in the pinkish coat) is using Fire Sword with Chrono even though Marle uses Ice magic. This is the original art on the SNES case, so... yeah... Anyway, get this game.

Adam gave it a6:
I loved the co-op story mode in the first one, but the side missions in this version aren't in anyway a replacement. I was really looking forward to playing alongside my friends online, so it's a real let down that the option wasn't included. Maybe the graphics would have suffered with a split screen but they managed it with Motorstorm ! Aside from that the single player mode is much improved, but it's annoying how many shots the Chimera need to take before they die and the online modes are as annoying as ever for a casual player fighting kids that are on it all the time.

Judd gave it a7:
Yes, fantastic game, but we already knew that. Why is no one else complaining that we're being charged full price for a 15 year old SNES port? Not enough radical additions to justify a radical price.

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