Chrono Trigger DS

Welcome to the Chrono Trigger DS coverage page! Here, we'll detail in brief the differences between versions. Chrono Trigger DS is a chance to show a ton of support for the Chrono franchise, and that Square is putting it out demonstrates that the franchise has not been relegated to the dust bin. If there are enough sales, it's possible Square will have the incentive to even produce a new Chrono game. Square also apparently felt that Chrono Trigger would sell better on the DS than on the Virtual Console, and this is a good thing as far as the franchise goes. Support it; buy it; convince your friends to buy it. Not only will we show support for the Chrono series, but we'll also help create a new generation of fans! This changes article was written with the help of RevenantThings.

Breakdown of Changes

New Features

Touchscreen Use

Touch screen options are available with the DS version of this game. The game can be played in Classic Mode, on one single screen (a la the original releases) or can be played utilizing the dual screens and D-pad in DS Mode. The bottom screen will be used to hold a map of the areas/world, as well as the menu access and battle options. You have the option to rearrange the bottom screen as you see fit.

Arena of the Ages

The Arena of the Ages is a monster-battling and training arena that exists outside the normal flow of time. Players can raise monsters for battle by sending them off to train in different areas. Battles take place on six different tiers for different prizes, and monsters can use items in battle to gain an advantage. The Arena is accessible from the main menu and End of Time, and can be used to get items not normally accessible at some points of the main game. For more information, hit:

Encyclopedia Entry

New Quests

Lost Sanctum

The Lost Sanctum is a Reptite colony lost to the ages before 65000000 B.C. It becomes available after the Black Omen rises, and it can be visited in both 65000000 B.C. and 600 A.D. Its denizens have a ton of fetch quests an other requests for Crono's team, but the rewards are massive, and running through it will ensure the party's stats are bulked up enough to handle the Dimensional Vortex and Dream's Epilogue ending. To get more in-depth, check these:

Dimensional Vortex and Dream's Epiloguqe

The Dimensional Vortex is a set of three random dungeons that opens up after a player finishes the game once. That's right, no New Game + is needed; you just have to finish the game and reload your save file. Each dungeon is made of random areas and one set dungeon, and ends with a special boss. One has a bonus boss, too, and he's a familiar face from Chrono Trigger. To go more in-depth, check:

Encyclopedia Entry

Upon completing the Dimensional Vortex dungeons, one can access the Darkness Beyond Time from the End of Time for a new plot sequence and very, very difficult boss battle. For the run-down on what happens there:

General Changes

Mitsuda's four new pieces for the CT PSX extras screen appear in the DS version's extras as well.
Dialogue is no longer indented after the first line in any case.
Character magic elemental affinities are displayed before the characters get magic.
Instead of things like "Fire" and "Shadow" in spell names, tiny icons representing elements appear.
Magus is now known as the "Fiendlord" to common citizens, and Mystics are known as Fiends.
A new bug may cause saved games loaded from the End of Time to trap the player in the map's solidity, disallowing movement.

Chapter Listings

5 - The ending of "The Hidden Truth" doesn't play when Crono's knocked out in the dungeon.
6 - Belthasar built the Keeper's Dome to monitor Death Peak according to a guy in the Arris Dome.
6 - Jonny is no longer known as THE MAN. :(
15 - Magus's incantation is changed to "Dal zumal phara-lo Iierra..."
17 - Nizbel refers to Azala as a female.

Name Changes and New Content

New Items

Slops Restores some HP to monster (Arena only)
Flameclaw Causes monster to use Fire tech (Arena only)
Seafang Causes monster to use Water tech (Arena only)
Duskeye Causes monster to use Shadow tech (Arena only)
Luxwing Causes monster to use Light tech (Arena only)
Hawk Talon Temporarily raises Strength by 5 (Arena only)
Shield Cloak Damage reduction (Arena only)
Feral Wrath 4x damage for critical hits (Arena only)
Smoked Meat Restores 250 HP (used in Lost Sanctum)
Dried Mushroom Removes status ailments (used in Lost Sanctum)
Sweet Banana Restores 20 MP (used in Lost Sanctum)
Millenia Fruit Restores 150 HP (used in Lost Sanctum)
Songbird Egg Restores 40 MP (used in Lost Sanctum)
Icewyrm Attack: 160
Dreamseeker Attack: 240, Critical rate: 90% (夢幻, "Mugen", literally "dreams/fantasy")
Stardust Bow Attack: 150, Inflicts Confuse
Venus Bow Deals 777 damage
Turboshot Attack: 140, Speed +3
Spellslinger Damage based on last digit of MP
Dragon Arm Attack: 170
Apocalypse Arm Deals 9,999 damage on critical hit
Dinoblade Attack: 160, Strength +5
Judgment Scythe Attack: 155, Inflicts Stop
Dreamreaper Attack 180, 4x damage for critical hits
Dragonhead Defense: 36, Strength +5
Reptite Tiara Defense: 35, Magic +5
Master's Crown Defense: 40, Damage boost, Status immunity
Angel's Tiara Auto-haste, status immunity
Reptite Dress Defense: 82, Magic +10
Dragon Armor Defense: 83, Strength +10
Saurian Leathers Defense: 88, Speed +3, Strength +3
Regal Plate Defense: 88, Stamina +10, Magic Defense +10
Regal Gown Defense: 90, Auto-Protect, Auto-Barrier
Shadowplume Robe Defense: 90, Magic Defense +20, Auto-Barrier
Elemental Aegis Defense: 92, Elemental immunity
Valor Crest Critical rate increased, Counter rate: 50%
Champion's Badge Masamune critical % increased, Halves MP costs
Dragon's Tear Critical rate increased
Nu Arcana May instantly reduce opponent's HP to 1
Uranian Mirror Counters non-light attacks 25% of the time
Pontic Mirror Counters non-water attacks 25% of the time.
Promethean Mirror Counters non-fire attacks 25% of the time.
Hadean Mirror Counters non-shadow attacks 25% of the time.
Aresian Mirror Counters non-physical attacks 25% of the time.
Golden Sand Glittering golden sand.
Golden Hammer A hammer crafted from golden wood.
Prismastone A mysterious stone said to have healing powers.
Saintstone An elusive gem that radiates light.
Reptmark A talisman needed to enter a reptite sanctuary.
Waystone A gem that shines with an inner light.
Godwood Lumber from an ancient godwood tree.
Steel Ingot A lump of fine steel.
Sturdy Vines Stout and rugged vines.
Hearty Lunch A nutritious lunch made with love.
Rusted Blade A katana rendered useless by rust.
Lumicite A mineral with many powerful properties.

Locations

All locations that possessed the name 'Residence' with a '[name] ' prefix have been changed to simply 'Residence'.

65000000 B.C.

Prehistoric -> Prehistory
Mystic Mts -> Mystic Mountains
Meeting Site -> Meeting Grounds
Tyrano Lair -> Tyranno Lair
Lair Ruins -> Tyranno Lair Ruins

12000 B.C.

Dark Ages -> Antiquity
Cave -> Small Cave
Commons -> Village Commons
Village -> Surviving Village

600 A.D.

Cathedral -> Manolia Cathedral

1000 A.D.

Ticket Office -> Ferry Office
Melchior's Hut -> Melchior's Cabin

1999 A.D.

Apocalypse -> Cataclysm

2300 A.D.

Factory -> Derelict Factory
Lab 16 -> Site 16
Lab 32 -> Site 32
Sewer Access -> Abandoned Sewers
Sun Keep -> Sun Temple
Sun Palace -> Sun Shrine

Techs

Slash -> Wind Slash
Spincut -> Cleave
Flame Toss -> Flamethrower
Taunt -> Allure
Spin Kick -> Roundillo Kick
Rocket Roll -> Supersonic Spin
Antipode -> Antipode Bomb
Arc Impulse -> Frost Arc

News Archive

July 1-2 - Teaser Site and Press Release

On July 1, 2008, someone at 2chan uploaded a scan from a Japanese video game announcing Chrono Trigger DS. That night, people discovered http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ctds/ and its American counterpart, http://na.square-enix.com/ctds/. These websites, with the title COUNTDOWN SITE, depicted a clock synchronized to the viewer's computer time and the ticking sound from A Premonition, the pre-title screen track to Chrono Trigger. Square Enix's Japanese news feed also touted the date July 7. On July 2, a press release appeared on Yahoo Business confirming several things.

A holiday release for Japan and North America
Touch-Screen functionality
"Wireless Play mode"
Dual screen presentation
A new dungeon

On July 4, a countdown to July 7 was added to the sites.

July 7 - Trailer Debut

At the break of July 7 in Japan, chronotrigger.jp launched with a trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Au0Vmu8yg

Here's a translation of the trailer and the information card displayed at the end, thanks to Ichiro78:

~

After 13 years have passed...

..."time" once again is set in motion.

CHRONO

MARL

LUCCA

To the unforgettable past...

KAERU (Frog)

EIRA (Ayla)

... the distant future...

ROBO

...and finally, the end of all time.

The curtain opens for a great adventure to save the planet's life, passing time and space again and again.

2008.Winter

After 13 years have passed "time" once again is set in motion. The decade-surpassing, everlasting classic "Chrono Trigger" finally comes to the Nintendo DS!

This is a perfect port of the 1995 Super Famicom exclusive title "Chrono Trigger". It will go on sale in winter 2008 using the hardware's double screens and featuring a new system, as well as new, fun elements.

CHRONO TRIGGER

System: Nintendo DS
Genre: RPG
Players: 1 (1-4)
Release date: Winter 2008
Price: Not yet fixed
CERO age rating: Inspection pending

July 9 - Weekly Famitsu Coverage

On July 9, four new magazine scans appeared, with the last seeming to have some kind of mini-interview with Yasunori Mitsuda. The scans confirmed that

Mitsuda is on board to keep the music close to the SNES aesthetic
The battle menu may have been moved to the bottom DS screen with a green and blue HP and MP bar beneath each character on the top screen

1UP.com translated Mitsuda's interview; here are his remarks:

"When I first heard about this, my first response was 'Finally!'," he says. "That's partly because it was my debut work, but it's still a very deep, very high-quality game even when you play it today. I'm very interested in seeing what kids today think about it when they play it, so from that perspective, it was a very happy piece of news."

"I couldn't even count all the memories it brings up. I was in a slump because I couldn't compose anything, I was going to the hospital regularly for stomach ulcers while I worked, I had a hard-drive crash and lost nearly 40 in-progress tracks...great, I guess I'm only remembering the negative things! But when the entire staff gathered around to watch the ending, I wound up crying anyway (a lot of other staffers were just as deeply moved). I think all of us put a lot of our emotion into the game."

"I think a lot of [Famitsu] readers were hoping for a Chrono Trigger port, and now we're finally making that wish come true. I had the music for the Nintendo DS version stay as close as possible to the SNES original, so I think you'll like how it turns out. Whether you're playing for the first time or reflecting on the past as you go, I hope all of you enjoy it."

The same day, RPGamer confirmed here that CT DS would be playable at E3.

July 15 - E3 Preview

From E3 and reports 1 and 2, we learned:

A new translation has been done
The first bar is for HP, and the second for ATB
The bottom screen will have status, items, a bestiary, and a map, including maps for dungeons that light up as they are explored
The game is flawlessly done compared to the PSX emulation
The PSX cut scenes will appear
A single-screen version will be available for purists

August 6 - European Release

A press release debuted on August 6 declaring that Chrono Trigger would be released in Europe in early 2009. Find it here.

August 18 - US Release Date: November 25

A new press release revealed several things on August 18:

US release is November 25th
"Wireless play mode" is now "Arena Mode"
More than one bonus dungeon will be included

August 21 - Japanese Site Updated

The Japanese site updated today. Click on characters, and check out Crono, Marle, and Lucca's movies to hear how CT music will sound on the DS.

August 22 - Box Art and Rating Information Revealed

Square Enix members debuted the box art to celebrate Chrono Trigger's 13th US birthday.

Box Art

Gamestop also put out rating information:

Chrono Trigger Rated E10+ for Animated Blood, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Alcohol.

November 18th - Game Leaked

Hong Kong bootleggers leaked the Japanese version of Chrono Trigger on this date. It was found to contain the English script, and thus English-speaking fans began playing through and analyzing it. Hackers made patches and Action Replay codes to circumvent the copyright prevention.

Touch/dual screen controls can be turned off, as well as movies.
The 5 character limit is still there. This is easily explained by the fact that in most Japanese RPGs, five is the limit because Japanese names will usually not extend past this amount in characters. The US version will likely expand the character limit.
Japanese version can switch between Japanese and English in the configuration. The game runs off of English if your DS runs in that.
"Crono, are you still sleeping?"

Funny how the "Good morning, Crono!" line isn't in it, considering the www.goodmorningcrono.com marketing.

Touching the screen when in front of an object/character interacts with them, e.g. Crono closes the curtains.

'Settings' has lots of new options, divided into pages.

Game Mode - Switch between DS and Classic (toggles screen layout).
Battle Mode - Active and Wait.
Battle Speed - 1-8, same as before.
Battle Message Speed - 1-8, same as before.
Battle Cursor Memory - Set cursor memory level (Full, Actions, Commands, Off).
Status Bars - On or Off.
Battle Gauges - Same as before ("Cannot be used in DS Mode.").
Help Messages - Same as before? ("Cannot be used in DS Mode.").
Control Scheme - Edit the controls for A, B, X, Y.
Movement - Walk or Run.
Shortcut Assignments - "Via this screen, you can arrange the icons that are shown at the bottom of the screen as you wander about the world." Allows you quick access to different parts of the menu. Very neat!
Menu Cursor Memory - On or Off. 'Toggle cursor position memory.' Same as before.
Movies - On or Off. SNES purists rejoice!
Window Design - Nothing new here.
Language - JPN or ENG.
Mayor's Manor contains a document on a bed upstairs and new NPCs that tell you about DS and Classic modes.
Upon saving the Arena mode became available. From the title menu, I think.

November 19th - More information, Arena and Extras

Chrono Trigger DS contains a series of new features; among these are:

The anime opening from the PSX version of the game plays when the game is loaded; this can be skipped by touching the bottom screen.
The game can be played in either of two modes - 'DS Mode' and 'Classic Mode'. DS Mode allows for dual screen and touch screen gameplay (although the directional pad and buttons can still be used instead), while Classic Mode allows the game to be played in the style of the original SNES version. This setting is chosen at the beginning of a new game and can be altered later in the menu's settings.
The game's settings have been expanded to allow for choosing between 'Walk' and 'Run' as an example, as well as containing several options exclusive to both DS and Classic modes.
The game contains several new dungeons, including 'Dragon's Sanctuary' and 'Lost Sanctum'.
Upon completion of the game, a new ending referred to as the 'Dimensional Distortion' is unlocked. This is supposedly an entirely new dungeon that contains a new final boss.
The anime sequences return from the PSX version (note that the load times are gone). These can be switched off in the settings.
The Japanese version of the game includes the English script as a selectable option in the settings. The game will automatically start in English if the DS console is set to that language. Note that no languages besides Japanese and English are included.
The element 'Lightning' has become 'Light', to reflect the original name 'Heaven'.
Party members' elements are now displayed with nameless icons (e.g. Water has a blue droplet) on the menu screen rather than an image with the element's name on it.
Item name changes have been made to reflect the original Japanese version of Chrono Trigger - e.g. 'Tonic' has become 'Potion', and the various stat-enhancing 'Tab' items of the game have become 'Capsule' items (for example, 'Strength Capsule').
The game's sprites and music have been noticably improved, although not vastly changed from the original. In some instances, different (albeit not new) sprite animations are used. An example of this is Robo and Frog's stances when entering a Gate.
The character Magus, originally referred to as a 'dark wizard', is now referred to as the 'Fiendlord'; the race of creatures known as Mystics are now known as Fiends.
The 'Arena' and 'Extras' features become unlocked upon saving the game once. These are accessed from the title screen.
Johnny is referred to as 'Bro' instead of 'The Man'. The jetbike race with him also seems to have taken a graphical improvement.
The note in the Sewers 2300 A.D. now says "I'm through. I can't take any more of this. The fishmen attack if I make even the slightest noise. If I knew things would be like this, I'd have taken the guillotine any day of the week. Think I'll go out with a good, loud scream- see how the soggy freaks like that!"

Arena
The Arena feature included in the DS port of the game is unlocked upon saving the game; it is accessed from the title screen menu. The location uses the Factory theme from 2300 AD as its music. Once the player enters, a man will greet them and explain that this 'Arena of the Ages' allows you to raise creatures that each correspond to one of the game's four elements (Light, Fire, Water, Shadow). After the man offers an explanation, the player is given a choice between four default basic creatures called 'Smidges'; each of them possess one of the four elements. The player can send their creature to any of the periods in time that they have visited for training; this will alter the creature's growth. Items can be bought from a Nu merchant in the Arena that enhance the training or battling aspects of a creature, as such unique items for each element exist. The player can also battle their creature against NPC character creatures.

"If you came from the End of Time, that old man can probably keep things straight for you. But if you came from anywhere else, everything that happened here will be washed away the second you leave. If you don't want that to happen, you'd best save your progress over there before you go."

Extras
The 'Extras' option appears on the title screen after saving the game once. It contains six accessible options and two hidden ones:

Theater ('View in-game movies')
Art Gallery ('View concept artwork')
Music Box ('Listen to music tracks')
Dojo ('View character tech skill information')
Bestiary ('View detailed enemy information')
Item Encyclopedia ('View item information')

These features are in the same vein as the extra options unlocked in the PSX version of the game.

The menu for the Extras also uses several new music tracks not found in the music box.

1999 AD has a full mini-map. See it in the images at the bottom of the page.

The new final boss has been revealed. Click here, but keep in mind this contains HUGE SPOILERS: http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php?topic=6254.msg117639#msg117639 Credit for the person who screened this would be great, if anyone can provide their name.

The storyline involved with the Dimensional Vortex has also been revealed, check out the thread for links: http://www.chronocompendium.com/Forums/index.php?topic=6260.msg117743#new

Golem Twins = Golem Sisters

There may be a new anime ending after defeating the new boss.

The music tracks that play on the Extras screen featured in the PSX version and are unlocked in the Music Box after battling in the Arena. Bestiary, Techs, etc. in Extras are updated as you encounter each in the game. Thanks to Shinrin.

Thanks to Dark Serge for extra information. Thanks to justin3009 for the 1999 AD screenshot.

November 20th - More Information

The arena items given to you in the monster trainer's starter kit are:

Slops
Flameclaw
Seafang
Duskeye
Luxwing
Hawk Talon
Shield Cloak
Feral Wrath

From Dark Serge: Btw they made Dalton more awesome.

Quote from: Dalton after grabbing Schala Oh, let's not be hasty. It would please me to take the life of this little pearl. I do not fear the queen.

Magus' attempt to finish off Lavos in Ocean Palace has slightly increased in coolness. Now it's not "What?!! It doesn't work!", but "What? No effect at all?". And it actually looks like he's attacking, instead of hitting him with a stick.

Update: When the Black Omen rises, two green gates appear. One on the 65,000,000 BC world map and one on the 600 AD world map. I checked the 65,000,000 one out, it's a Reptite cave, with a pseudo Guardia forest and a marsh. When you defeat all the monsters in the forest the Reptites in the cave part come out of hiding and will keep asking you favors. The second one was to retrieve a golden hammer or whatever. I also briefly checked the 600 AD one, but it seems to be the same concept as the 65,000,000 one. It's not the same place, but it looks identical and has the same concept. Anyway, I found this part too boring to check it out further. I don't think it has anything to do whatsoever with canon. Just a little extra to gain experience, items, and money. I found only one thing intriguing: There's also a mountain part, but at the very beginning a dark colored Nu is blocking it, so it's impossible to say what's there for now.

Number of times you've saved is no longer displayed on the save screen.
There's an accessory called Dragon's Tear in the game. It boosts critical hit rate when equipped.
When the rat tells you about the L+R+A code, it remarks that if you've changed your control scheme it'll obviously be different.
When a party member is shocked by electricity by the Debuggers/Deverminators in 2300 A.D., a new split image effect distorts the character's sprite. It's rather cool. A similar effect occurs when using Ayla's Roundillo Kick.
The R-6 series robots in the Derelict Factory now make a deeper robotic noise from Robo.
The animation for when Zombor is formed on Zenan Bridge is improved with glowing effects and Zombor roars at the screen before engaging the party in battle. Zombor itself now also has a noticably greenish-tinted sprite.
The above animation changes apply to Masamune as well.
Lightning II became a more golden shade of yellow.

"My name's Spekkio, I'm a Master of War! I watch all kinds of battles from up here!" No longer 'God' of War.

More from Dark Serge: Went through the Omen at 1000 AD, defeated Zeal as normal as well as Lavos form 1 and 2. Fighting the final Lavos Core now. I think the Vortex or whatever with that evolved TD Lavos really is New Game+, or it's coming after this.

Quote from: Lucca after 2nd Lavos form "Now I understand. It lives on a planet for as long as possible, selecting the most desirable life forms, allowing them to advance and then harvesting their DNA. The young it gave birth to on Death Peak must have all of that DNA. Eventually they'll migrate to other planets, and repeat the cycle. It's a parasite! Sleeping within the Earth all this time, stealing all our progress! Impossible... You can't toy with an entire world and think I'll let you get away with it!"

So I owned Lavos Then the ending came in. Moonfair Parade, everyone goes home, Mom disappears, they take off in the Epoch and you see the awesome Mode7 movie while the credits roll. Then the image of the Earth comes in with even more credits, then the wedding FMV plays. After that, yet more credits while in the top screen various CT artworks are displayed.

After that... A purple gate opens in 1000 A.D., 2300 A.D., and 12,000 B.C.

Then the message: You can now access the Dimensional Vortex.

You've completed the game! Clear count: 01 Ending No. 01 Beyond Time

New option added to Extras menu: Ending Log

Then you get to save the game and return to the title screen. The "Ending Log" apparently displays all Endings, how you get them, and what's in them. You only see 1 image though, you can't watch the ending all over again or something like that. Also the NewGame+ option is now available. I'm gonna check out this Vortex now, I suspect the Lavos-TD boss thing is there. More updates soon.