Today marks 17 years since Chrono Trigger was released for the Nintendo DS. Originally a 1995 Super Nintendo game, Chrono Trigger is one of the most loved Japanese RPG games of all time. Its story follows Crono and his friends as they travel through time to stop a global threat. The DS version brought this classic to a new generation, adding extra content and a new ending.
The game was made by Square’s “Dream Team”, including Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yuji Horii, and Akira Toriyama. The story was written by Masato Kato, with co-direction from Takashi Tokita. Its mix of time travel, multiple endings, and deep character stories set it apart, while its soundtrack, composed by Yasunori Mitsuda with help from Nobuo Uematsu, is still praised today. Chrono Trigger sold millions of copies worldwide and remains a favorite on lists of the greatest games ever.
Players explore seven eras, from prehistory to the post-apocalyptic future, meeting allies like Marle, Lucca, Frog, Robo, Ayla, and Magus. Battles take place on the map itself, letting players combine magic and techniques for powerful combos. The DS version added new scenarios, tying into Chrono Cross and offering extra challenges. Time travel, a rich story, and multiple endings make Chrono Trigger a timeless adventure, still making players return to it 17 years after its DS debut.
Beyond the DS, Chrono Trigger is also available on PlayStation, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch Online, and PC via Steam.