Following years of waiting, begging from fans and plenty of rumours, it has now been confirmed that Chrono Trigger will indeed be coming to the Nintendo DS in Japan during Winter 2008 thanks to Square Enix. Following a small scan appearing on the Japanese 2CH forum, many believed it to be fake, but the official website can now be viewed proving it is actually real after all. The game will not be a complete overhaul of the original like Final Fantasy III and IV, but will be more of an enhanced port that remains faithful to the classic Super Nintendo RPG that European and Australian fans never got the chance to play back in the '90s. So perhaps we will see added content in the vein of the Final Fantasy Advance GBA ports...
For those unaware of just how good the game is, be sure to read Cubed³'s Retro Review and check out the video clip below, complete with gorgeous soundtrack:
Now we all know why the Virtual Console release has been missing in action...
Update - Square Enix has unleashed the full Press Release for the game, confirming a US release. Considering the normalcy for Europe to be close to the US now as Square Enix moves towards simultaneous worldwide releases, hopefully S-E Europe will reveal something soon:
Square Enix announced today that it will release CHRONO TRIGGER in North America this Holiday season. Remastered exclusively for Nintendo DS, this marks the first time that the groundbreaking RPG will be available on a handheld console.
Originally released in 1995 on Super NES and shipping more than 2.5 million copies worldwide, CHRONO TRIGGER has been hailed as one of the greatest games of all time by critics and fans alike. With a unique and multifaceted storyline, the game revolutionised the world of RPGs with never-before-seen features, including an unprecedented soundtrack and multiple endings determined by side quests and the player's actions.
With artwork by famed manga artist Akira Toriyama and an unprecedented and inspiring musical score created by Yasunori Mitsuda, CHRONO TRIGGER represents the best-in-class of the video game world. This newly revamped edition maintains all of the game's original elements and spirit while introducing the portability, dual-screen presentation and Touch-Screen functionality of Nintendo DS. Players will soon be able to rediscover the exhilarating RPG experience, breathtaking storyline and innovative gameplay in the palm of their hands.
When a newly developed teleportation device malfunctions at the Millennial Fair, young Crono must travel through time to rescue his misfortunate 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.
- A masterpiece with an engaging and unparalleled storyline, leading to the discovery of multiple epic conclusions to a journey that transcends time;
- An unprecedented and 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.