Among the greatest JPRGs and indeed the most beloved games of all time, Chrono Trigger is often one of the first to be mentioned, and for good reason. Though it was originally released in Japan on March 11, and there is sometimes some confusion, the recognized North American release date for Chrono Trigger, according to Nintendo’s official site, is August 11, 1995. Turning 30 today, Chrono Trigger has been a touchstone for fans as well as developers throughout its lifetime, with numerous titles taking inspiration from its innovations and presentation.
Dropping during the heart of the golden age of the SNES 16-bit pixel era, which had already seen high-quality and popular titles like Secret of Mana and Final Fantasy 6, among others, Chrono Trigger‘s story, along with its pitch-perfect balance of mechanics and charming art design, made it an instant classic. Since then, it has consistently been on many players’ and critics’ lists of the most profound and important video games. Chrono Trigger‘s history and pedigree are impressive, and its reach extends from those halcyon days right up to the present moment and almost assuredly beyond.
30 Years Later, Chrono Trigger’s Impact Remains as Resonant as Ever
Chrono Trigger Is A Dream Game Come to Life
The biggest factor that makes Chrono Trigger such a fantastic and enduring experience is that it was a collaborative effort between a veritable murderer’s row of incredible talent. Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii, legendary Dragon Ball artist Akira Toriyama, and Final Fantasy designer/creator Hironobu Sakaguchi were the leads on the project. With these three visionaries at the helm, they were joined by renowned composer Yasunori Mitsuda, with FF‘s famous Nobuo Uematsu also contributing to the score. It’s certainly no surprise, then, that Chrono Trigger turned out as well as it did, and is fondly regarded as one of the most compelling and satisfying games.
Crono and company’s epic journey through time across distinct periods and even into the void between time itself is exceptionally memorable. Chrono Trigger‘s cast of characters, gameplay, world/art design, and music all meld into a cohesive whole, while the twists and turns of the plot put players through an emotional roller coaster culminating in an unforgettable battle for the very soul and existence of the planet and its inhabitants. It then goes the extra mile with multiple alternate endings available in NG+ mode, including one featuring cameos from the developers themselves. It is a near-flawless title, and its vision remains vibrant.
One point of contention is that Chrono Trigger is not easily available on many modern or expected platforms like the Switch, and a few of its previously ported versions are considered inferior in some ways.
Modern Games Are Still Taking Lessons From Chrono Trigger
There has been a bit of a resurgence of retro and/or JRPG games, with Atlus’ Persona series often leading the pack, as well as some other notables. These are joined by games using the 2.5 HD style, including Square’s own Octopath Traveler series (and a new entry, Octopath Traveler 0, was recently announced). This was preceded by the similar Star Ocean: The Second Story R, while Dragon Quest has received modern remasters in the same vein, with more upcoming this fall.
The retro JRPG indie scene has also blossomed in a big way. One major example is Sabotage Studio’s acclaimed Sea of Stars from 2023, with the developer stating that it looked to Chrono Trigger directly for inspiration, and the latter’s designers praising Sea of Stars in turn. Others, like Chained Echoes, One Fenix Down, and Forge of the Fae, also continue to build on Chrono Trigger‘s classic elements while putting their own excellent spins on the genre.
Finally, given that 2025 marks its 30-year milestone, prior rumors and offhanded comments made by figures ostensibly in the know pointed to a potential Chrono Trigger remake, although Square Enix has not officially commented on the possibility at this time. Regardless of whether it decides to pull the trigger on one, though, the monumental impact of the original can’t be ignored, and Chrono Trigger‘s legendary status persists even now. There’s little doubt that new generations of players and creators will continue to discover ways to be inspired by Chrono Trigger‘s truly timeless appeal and keep its legacy going well into the future.
Chrono Trigger
- Released
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March 11, 1995
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Engine
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Cocos Creator Engine
- Multiplayer
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Local Co-Op
#Years #Chrono #Triggers #Influence #Extends #Time #Periods
