Often considered one of the greatest games ever made, Chrono Trigger is Square Enix’s generation-defining RPG on the SNES. Conceived as a “Dream Project” between Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii, Dragon Quest and Dragon Ball artist Akira Toriyama, and Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu, Chrono Trigger‘s development is almost as legendary as the game itself. The title’s core creative team would be a veritable “who’s who” of the best talent working at both Square and Enix before the two companies’ merger in the early 2000s, with many of the staff working on Chrono Trigger going on to spearhead their own noteworthy games and franchises.
The (at the time) unlikely partnership between Square and Enix to collaborate on Chrono Trigger would give the game near mythical status before it would even launch, and its arrival on the SNES at the tail end of the console’s life cycle sees it serving as a fitting swansong to the hardware after an incredible run of games from both companies. Unsurprisingly, Chrono Trigger is one of the most critically acclaimed games on the SNES. However, the launch of the PlayStation and a limited physical run of cartridges in the West would make Chrono Trigger something of a rarity. As such, the game would become a “holy grail” for SNES owners, fetching high prices for physical copies before receiving ports to other consoles.
Naturally, the popularity and admiration of Chrono Trigger would incentivize Square Enix to port the title to other hardware. The first of these ports is the PlayStation version, releasing as one half of the Final Fantasy Chronicles compilation. The Nintendo DS port of Chrono Trigger would arrive in 2008, also becoming a rarity due to limited cartridge production.
Chrono Trigger Premise
©Chrono Trigger gameplay screenshot – Original
In Chrono Trigger, players take on the role of the young hero Crono. On the day of the Millenial Fair, a celebration of the Kingdom of Guardia’s victory over the evil magician Magus, Crono has a chance encounter that changes the course of history. A series of events involving Crono, the mysterious Marle, and Crono’s friend Lucca’s new invention lead to a time-traveling adventure spanning the past, present, future, and end of time itself. When Crono and his allies discover that they have the chance to stop a world-ending cataclysm, they vow to not stop until they can guarantee a better tomorrow for all life on the planet.
In terms of its gameplay, Chrono Trigger is very similar to traditional JRPGs of the 16-bit era. Players wander a world map and enter towns and dungeons. Inside dungeons, there are enemies on the field that Crono and his allies can battle, earning both Experience Points and Skill Points that unlock unique abilities. Characters in Chrono Trigger also have special attacks that combine the skills of multiple party members into game-changing Combo abilities. While some battles are unavoidable, players get to choose whether to engage in fighting enemies. Unlike both Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, enemies on the field are visible and there are no random encounters.
The DS version of Chrono Trigger is unique in that it adds several features not present in other versions. These include things like dual screens and touch-screen controls made possible by the DS hardware, but there are also scenarios, dungeons, and endings unique to the Nintendo DS release of Chrono Trigger. The two DS-exclusive dungeons are similar to the bonus dungeons in the re-releases of Final Fantasy games in that they are intended to be a high-level challenge for players in New Game + mode.
Chrono Trigger Main Characters
©Chrono Trigger artwork – Original
One of the highlights of Chrono Trigger is its excellent sci-fi story, and the incredible cast of characters do a lot of the emotional heavy lifting of the game’s narrative. Along with the hero Crono, players will meet an endearing and peculiar cast of characters from across time who join up with the young swordsman to stop a sentient, planet-eating alien. The writing and personalities of Chrono Trigger‘s cast make them one of the best parties in any RPG, but it’s Akira Toriyama’s iconic designs that cement them as gaming icons. Main characters in Chrono Trigger include:
- Crono: The hero of Chrono Trigger and the game’s main character. A young swordsman from the kingdom of Guardia, Crono gets swept up as an unlikely hero with the fate of the world in his hands when his friend Lucca’s new invention malfunctions.
- Marle: Marle bumps into Crono at the Millenial Fair and the two form an instant bond. She is secretly Princess Nadia of Guardia, getting away from the castle in disguise in an attempt to live a normal life.
- Lucca: Crono’s best friend and a brilliant inventor. Lucca’s technological knowhow helps give the party the tools they need to be successful as would-be time-travelers.
- Frog: A valiant knight and hero worthy of wielding the Masamune, Frog joins up with Crono and becomes an invaluable ally in the fight against Lavos.
- Robo: Robo is a seemingly “malfunctioning” robot from the future who gains a second chance thanks to Lucca, vowing to help Crono and his allies forever.
- Ayla: The female leader of a group of prehistoric humans, Ayla helps Crono and his allies retrieve the Gate Key from the Reptile leader Azala, witnessing the arrival of Lavos in the process.
Games in the Chrono Trigger Series
One of the most important games to ever come from Square Enix, Chrono Trigger is something of an anomaly. As a “dream project” and collaboration between the best minds at both Square and Enix prior to their merger, getting the creative team back together for a sequel would prove to be difficult. While several fan-made projects continue the story of Crono and his allies, there has never been an official direct sequel to Chrono Trigger. Chrono Cross on the PS1 is a spiritual successor to Chrono Trigger and part of the official canon for the series, but it’s only tangentially connected to the events of Chrono Trigger. Games in the Chrono Trigger series include:
- Chrono Trigger (SNES, 1995)
- Radical Dreamers (Satellaview, 1996)
- Chrono Cross (PlayStation, 1999)
Chrono Trigger Cheats & Secrets
While there are no official “cheats” or “cheat codes” for Chrono Trigger on Nintendo DS, there are several unlockables players can earn. Additionally, there are many Action Replay codes players can use to get a definitive advantage, including EXP multipliers to expedite the process of grinding out Crono and his allies to Level 99.
Chrono Trigger Unlockables
There are 13 different endings players can unlock in Chrono Trigger. Players’ choices during certain moments of the main quest and the time period in which they choose to fight Lavos are the biggest determining factors. Additionally, the DS version of Chrono Trigger has some bonus dungeons and modes players can unlock.
All Chrono Trigger Endings
| Ending | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| “Beyond Time” | Defeat Lavos after reviving Crono at Death Peak |
| “Reunion” | Defeat Lavos without resurrecting Crono |
| “The Dream Project” | Defeat Lavos in the Ocean Palace or immediately after starting New Game + |
| “The Successor of Guardia” | Defeat Lavos after saving Queen Leene and Marle but before heading to the End of Time |
| “Good Night” | Defeat Lavos after visiting the End of Time but before returning to the Middle Ages |
| “The Legendary Hero” | Defeat Lavos after arriving in the Middle Ages but before obtaining the Hero’s Badge from Tata |
| “The Unknown Past” | Defeat Lavos after obtaining the Hero’s Badge but before the Gate Key is stolen in Prehistory |
| “People of the Times” | Defeat Lavos after reclaiming the Gate Key but before giving Frog the Masamune |
| “The Oath” | Defeat Lavos after giving Frog the Masamune but before facing Magus |
| “Dino Age” | Defeat Lavos after facing Magus but before facing Azala |
| “What the Prophet Seeks” | Defeat Lavos after facing Azala but before Schala opens the Sealed Door OR Defeat Lavos after restoring light to the Pendant but before the Ocean Palace encounter |
| “Memory Lane” | Defeat Lavos after Schala opens the Sealed Door but before restoring light to the Pendant |
| “Dream’s Epilogue” | Defeat the Dream Devourer beyond Time’s Eclipse |
Unlockable Dungeons
| Dungeon | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Dimensional Vortex | Beat Chrono Trigger and obtain any of the game’s endings. |
| Lost Sanctum | Unlock the Black Omen dungeon in 12,000 BC. The Lost Sanctum will appear across time in different locations just like the Black Omen |
New Game +
Unlike the older versions of Chrono Trigger, players do not need to clear the Black Omen to unlock New Game +. Instead, players simply need to beat Chrono Trigger and earn any of the game’s 12 original endings. The DS-exclusive 13th ending (“Dream’s Epilogue”) will not unlock New Game + mode.
Chrono Trigger Secrets
2300 AD Factory Passwords
Once players are in the desolate future of 2300 AD, they’ll need to make their way through a Factory to reach the time gate. There are three different points where players will need to enter passwords to proceed further through the Factory.
| Factory Location | Password |
|---|---|
| Crane Passcode 1 | X, A |
| Crane Passcode 2 | B, B |
| Master Password | X, A, B, Y |
Save Lucca’s Mother
There’s a sequence where Lucca’s mother gets caught in a machine, prompting players to save her. After heading to the lower right part of the machine, approach the terminal and press A to enter the following passcode:
L, A, R, A
Entering the correct passcode will allow Lucca to save her mother from being hurt by the machine.
Chrono Trigger Glitches
The DS version of Chrono Trigger still retains several of the glitches present in both the SNES and PlayStation releases of the game.
Infinite Power Tabs
After unlocking the Black Omen dungeon, have Ayla in your party and head inside until you encounter a Tubster. You’ll know the enemy by its appearance, looking like the funnel cloud of a tornado. Have Ayla cast Charm and then escape. Exit the room and re-enter, battling Tubster as many times as necessary to stock up on Power Tabs.
Infinite Shelters
Before heading to Guardia Castle for the first time, there’s a moving bush near the exit to Guardia Forest. If players approach the moving bush a creature will run out, dropping a free Shelter. Exit the forest and re-enter, interacting with the bush to get 99 Shelters before entering Guardia Castle.
Monster Training Item Duplication
After unlocking the Arena of Ages, send a monster out to train and wait for it to return with an item. Upon return, you’ll see the monster has an item in its status window. Without closing the window, press A to select “Train Monster” and then press A again to enter the Consumables screen. Press B to return to the previous menu. If done correctly, this will duplicate the item the monster brought back. Repeat the process until you have 99 of the items.
Chrono Trigger Action Replay Cheat Codes
If players have both a Nintendo DS and an Action Replay device, they can make use of several helpful cheat codes for the DS version of Chrono Trigger. Alternatively, players using an emulator can go into their emulator’s “Cheat” menu and enter any of the following Action Replay codes:
General Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Max Money | 020731fc 000f423f |
| All Skills/Magic (Press Select to activate) | 94000130 fffb0000 d5000000 000000ff c0000000 0000001f d8000000 02073127 d2000000 00000000 |
| Unlock all Extra Modes (Press Select to activate) | 94000130 fffb0000 d5000000 000000ff c0000000 00000072 d8000000 0207450e d2000000 00000000 |
| Complete Monster Album | d5000000 000000ff c0000000 00000025 d8000000 0207455b d2000000 00000000 |
| 999 TP After 1 Battle | 12119968 000003e7 |
| Enable New Game + | 22073219 00000001 |
Character Cheats
Note that using any of the following cheats will impact the stats for all characters in the party:
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Max HP | c0000000 00000006 1207291c 000003e7 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Current HP | c0000000 00000006 1207291e 000003e7 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max MP | c0000000 00000006 22072920 00000063 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Current MP | c0000000 00000006 22072922 00000063 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Level | c0000000 00000006 2207292d 00000063 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Experience | c0000000 00000006 02072930 0098967f 1207294e 00000000 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Skill Points | c0000000 00000006 12072950 00000000 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Strength | c0000000 00000006 22072958 00000063 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Stamina | c0000000 00000006 22072959 00000063 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Speed | c0000000 00000006 2207295a 00000063 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Magic | c0000000 00000006 2207295b 00000063 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Hit/Accuracy | c0000000 00000006 2207295c 00000063 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Evasion | c0000000 00000006 2207295d 00000063 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Magic Defense | c0000000 00000006 2207295e 00000063 dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Attack | c0000000 00000006 2207295f 000000ff dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
| Max Defense | c0000000 00000006 22072960 000000ff dc000000 00000060 d2000000 00000000 |
Battle Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Full HP (Press L + Up to activate) | 94000130 fdbf0000 22119a83 000000e7 02119a84 0003e703 22119b03 000000e7 02119b04 0003e703 22119b83 000000e7 02119b84 0003e703 d0000000 00000000 |
| Full MP (Press L + Up to activate) | 94000130 fdbf0000 22119a87 00000063 22119a89 00000063 22119b07 00000063 22119b09 00000063 22119b87 00000063 22119b89 00000063 d0000000 00000000 |
EXP Multipliers
Activating any of the following cheats will see the amount of experience players earn after each battle multiplied by the corresponding number.
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| EXP x2 | 52111260 e0832002 02111260 e0832082 d0000000 00000000 |
| EXP x4 | 52111260 e0832002 02111260 e0832102 d0000000 00000000 |
| EXP x8 | 52111260 e0832002 02111260 e0832182 d0000000 00000000 |
| EXP x16 | 52111260 e0832002 02111260 e0832202 d0000000 00000000 |
| EXP x32 | 52111260 e0832002 02111260 e0832282 d0000000 00000000 |
| EXP x64 | 52111260 e0832002 02111260 e0832302 d0000000 00000000 |
| EXP x128 | 52111260 e0832002 02111260 e0832382 d0000000 00000000 |
| EXP x256 | 52111260 e0832002 02111260 e0832402 d0000000 00000000 |
Chrono Trigger Cheat FAQs
What does the DS version of Chrono Trigger add?
The DS version of Chrono Trigger separates itself from the original thanks to a few key additions. There are two brand-new story scenarios that are not present in the original SNES release. One of these sees Crono and his allies provide help to the Reptiles following Lavos’ arrival in 65,000,000 BC. The other provides some direct links between Chrono Trigger and its spiritual successor, Chrono Cross
The DS version also adds two bonus dungeons in the Lost Sanctum and the Dimensional Vortex. Like in other Square Enix re-releases of popular RPGs, these two bonus dungeons provide a substantial endgame challenge to players.
Does the DS version of Chrono Trigger have language options?
The DS cartridge for Chrono Trigger actually uses the player’s DS firmware language selection to determine the in-game language. The Japanese version allows for players to change the language in-game, but this feature is not present in the international release (NTSC and PAL regions).
Why is Chrono Trigger on DS so expensive?
The exorbitant cost of Chrono Trigger on DS is a case of supply and demand. As one of the greatest games ever made, Chrono Trigger is a must-have in any RPG fan’s DS library. And, thanks to the game’s relatively weak sales in North America, there are only so many physical copies in rotation. With the rarity of the physical cartridge and the game’s reputation, Chrono Trigger on DS can fetch some pretty high prices on the secondary market.
What is the highest level in Chrono Trigger on DS?
Like the original Chrono Trigger on SNES, the DS version of Chrono Trigger has a level cap of 99. Players begin at Level 1, and most players will be able to complete Chrono Trigger around level 50. New Game + mode makes it feasible to reach 99, though this is also possible with plenty of grinding on an initial playthrough.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Chrono Trigger artwork.