Originally released in 2001 for the Sony PlayStation, Final Fantasy Chronicles is the second of three PS1-era compilations in the Final Fantasy series. It is preceded by the release of Final Fantasy Anthology, which contains Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI. Square would eventually follow up the release of Chronicles with the release of its final compilation for the PS1, Final Fantasy Origins, which contains the Wonder Swan Color versions of Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II. Notably, Final Fantasy Chronicles marks the first time that Chrono Trigger would be available on a platform other than the SNES/Super Famicom. It is also the first official Western re-release of Final Fantasy IV.
Final Fantasy Chronicles Premise
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The Final Fantasy Chronicles compilation is one of three series collections on the PS1 containing two iconic games from Square’s past catalog. Chronicles features the first Western release of Final Fantasy IV‘s original “Hard Type” version, with the original Western SNES release of the game (Final Fantasy II) being the alternate “Easy Type”. The inclusion of Chrono Trigger is a huge bonus, marking the first port of the legendary title outside its original Super Famicom/SNES release.
In terms of gameplay, both Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV are turn-based RPGs in which players control a party of heroes. As the party battles with enemies and bosses, they accumulate experience points and gain levels. Chrono Trigger also includes the AP resource, which players must gain to unlock valuable abilities unique to each character known as Techs. Both games feature the iconic Active-Time Battle (ATB) system, which would famously make its debut in Final Fantasy IV and become a staple of many Square RPGs moving forward. In the ATB system, enemies and players can act at the same time, prompting players to formulate strategy and act quickly during encounters.
Final Fantasy Chronicles Main Characters
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When it comes to the three Final Fantasy compilations on PS1, Final Fantasy Chronicles is arguably the best in terms of story. With both Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV, Chronicles delivers two of the best narratives and casts of characters ever devised by Square in a single package.
Chrono Trigger Characters
At the center of Chrono Trigger is the iconic swordsman Crono and his group of friends. When Crono’s best friend Lucca’s new invention inadvertently teleports their kingdom’s princess 400 years into the past, Crono and Lucca set off for her rescue. Eventually, the trio find themselves in the future where they uncover the horrible fait awaiting humanity in the year 1999 in the form of a pending apocalypse. Vowing to fight for the future, the three young heroes set off on a time-traveling adventure that ranks among gaming’s best stories. The main characters in Chrono Trigger include:
Heroes
- Crono: The main hero of Chrono Trigger, Crono is a happy-go-lucky youth who is also an aspiring swordsman. On the day of the Millennial Fair, he encounters a young girl who will change his life forever.
- Marle: Marle is the alias of Princess Nadia, the heir apparent to the throne of Guardia. She escapes the castle for the chance to have a normal day at the fair, coming across Crono and immediately finding herself drawn to the young hero.
- Lucca: Crono’s best friend and brilliant inventor, Lucca’s brilliant mind helps the heroes navigate their journey through time.
- Frog: A heroic knight who pledges himself to the protection of Guardia’s Queen Leene, Frog first encounters Lucca and Crono as they attempt to save Marle and correct the timeline in 600 AD.
- Robo: A broken-down robot with a sense of empathy and a heart of gold, Robo decides to accompany Crono and his friends after they show him the first kindness he’s ever known.
- Ayla: The chieftain of a group of prehistoric people, Ayla finds and rescues Crono and his allies from a Reptite attack when they arrive in 65,000,000 BC. She decides to join up with Crono and take down the Reptites before they overthrow humanity.
Villains
- Magus: The Fiend Lord and a powerful sorcerer, Magus is the presumptive antagonist of Chrono Trigger until players discover the game’s true villain. He eventually joins up with Crono and his allies following a climactic series of events in the year 12,000 BC.
- Azala: The Reptite leader, Azala wishes to overthrow the humanoid primates to allow his kind undeterred control over the planet.
- Queen Zeal: The queen of the kingdom of Zeal, this megalomaniacal ruler chooses to exploit the power of Lavos for her own gain.
- Lavos: A sentient, planet-destroying parasite of extraterrestrial origin, Lavos is Chrono Trigger‘s main villain. He arrives on the planet in 65,000,000 BC, slumbering beneath the surface until the day he is strong enough to emerge and seize Earth for himself.
Final Fantasy IV Characters
While the Final Fantasy series is one that continues to be synonymous with great stories and characters, few games can match up to what many consider to be the first truly great narrative in the series from Final Fantasy IV. The story of Final Fantasy IV is a classic “hero’s journey” focusing on the unlikely hero Cecil and his struggle for redemption. Joining him are some of the best-supporting characters to appear in any Final Fantasy game. The main characters in Final Fantasy IV include:
Heroes
- Cecil: The Dark Knight Cecil is Final Fantasy IV‘s tragic main character. As the leader of the Red Wings, the airship fleet under the kingdom of Baron’s command, Cecil finds himself conflicted over using his power to subjugate others. A quest for redemption leads him to journey to the moon and back.
- Kain: Kain is Cecil’s best friend and the commander of Baron’s Dragoon Knights. Though he is loyal to a fault, he harbors a secret resentment toward Cecil for his relationship with Rosa.
- Rosa: Baron’s most powerful White Mage, Rosa is Cecil’s romantic interest and his emotional support. Though Cecil insists his place as a Dark Knight prevents him from truly being with Rosa, she never gives up on her love for the tortured hero.
- Rydia: The young Rydia is a powerful sorceress and summoner who Cecil rescues after unintentionally destroying her village and slaying her mother.
- Edge: The young prince of the kingdom of Elban, Edge is a cocky and arrogant Ninja who has more than a little skill to back up his boisterous nature.
Villains
- Golbez
- The Four Fiends
- Zemus
Games in the Final Fantasy Series
Regardless of its place as a compilation title, Final Fantasy Chronicles marks the first time two of Square’s most popular RPGs would break free of their exclusivity on the SNES. Both Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV are now-legendary 16-bit RPGs from one of Square’s peak creative periods, and Final Fantasy Chronicles packages both titles together in one unmissable game. The success of Chronicles would prompt Square to re-release several other titles from its back catalog, showcasing the lasting appeal of the Final Fantasy series across generations of console hardware. Mainline games (and their remakes) in the Final Fantasy series include:
- Final Fantasy (1987)
- Final Fantasy II (1988)
- Final Fantasy III (1990)
- Final Fantasy IV (1991)
- Final Fantasy V (1992)
- Final Fantasy VI (1994)
- Final Fantasy VII (1997)
- Final Fantasy VIII (1999)
- Final Fantasy IX (2000)
- Final Fantasy X (2001)
- Final Fantasy XI (2002)
- Final Fantasy XII (2006)
- Final Fantasy III (DS) (2006)
- Final Fantasy IV (DS) (2007)
- Final Fantasy XIII (2009)
- Final Fantasy XIV (2013)
- Final Fantasy XV (2016)
- Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)
- Final Fantasy XVI (2023)
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024)
Final Fantasy Chronicles Cheats & Secrets
Unique to the PS1 releases of both Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV are the Gameshark codes available for each. Otherwise, most of the cheats and secrets that work on the original SNES releases of both games work on the versions that Final Fantasy Chronicles includes.
Chrono Trigger Secrets
Saving Lucca’s Mother
Just like in the SNES version, the PS1 release of Chrono Trigger features a sequence in which Lucca has the chance to save her mother from a terrible accident. The secret to this sequence is to approach the machine and enter her name, which is “Lara”. On an SNES controller, the correct button sequence is L, A, R, A. The PS1 release changes this to the following code sequence:
L1, Circle, R1, Circle
Chrono Trigger Glitches
Infinite Shelters
Players can exploit a handy glitch early on in Chrono Trigger to stockpile Shelters (which fully restore HP/MP at save points). After arriving in 600 AD, make your way to Guardia Forest. Just before exiting the forest, you will come across a moving bush. Approach the bush and interact with it to see a monster run out of it, dropping a Shelter. Leave Guardia Forest but do not proceed into the castle. Instead, head back into the forest and approach the bush again. You can utilize this trick to easily stockpile 99 Shelters before entering Guardia Castle and continuing with the main quest.
Chrono Trigger Unlockables
There are a total of 13 different endings players can unlock in the PS1 release of Chrono Trigger. Additionally, the option to start a new file in New Game + mode returns in this version.
Chrono Trigger Endings
Depending on when players choose to fight Lavos (among a handful of other, smaller decisions), players will unlock one of the following endings to Chrono Trigger.
| Ending Number | Name | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beyond Time | Fight and defeat Lavos after using the Chrono Trigger to revive Crono |
| 2 | Reunion | Fight and defeat Lavos without reviving Crono |
| 3 | The Dream Project | Fight and defeat Lavos inside the Ocean Palace or immediately after Marle joins the party in New Game + |
| 4 | The Successor of Guardia | Fight and defeat Lavos using the right Telepod in 1000 AD after returning from 600 AD |
| 5 | Good Night | Fight and defeat Lavos after reaching The End of Time (using the bucket) |
| 6 | Legendary Hero | Fight and defeat Lavos after discovering that the “Hero” is Tata but before obtaining the Hero Medal |
| 7 | The Unknown Past | Fight and defeat Lavos after obtaining the Hero Medal but before fixing the Masamune |
| 8 | People of the Times | Fight and defeat Lavos after recovering the Gate Key in 65,000,000 BC |
| 9 | The Oath | Fight and defeat Lavos after fixing the Masamune but before opening the Magic Cave |
| 10 | Dino Age | Fight and defeat Lavos after defeating Magus but before defeating Azala |
| 11 | What the Prophet Seeks | Fight and defeat Lavos after defeating Azala |
| 12 | A Slide Show | Defeat Lavos after Schala uses her pendant but before Crono powers up Marle’s |
| 13 | Day of Lavos | Fight Lavos and lose |
New Game + Mode
Regardless of which ending players unlock on their first playthrough, Chrono Trigger rewards players with New Game + mode. This mode allows you to carry over all progress, items, equipment, and money into a new save file. Additionally, you should be strong enough to attempt to fight Lavos at different points in the timeline to unlock all the game’s endings.
Chrono Trigger Gameshark Codes
Players will need a PlayStation, a copy of Final Fantasy Chronicles, and a Gameshark ver. 2.2 or higher to use these Chrono Trigger Gameshark codes for PS1. Alternatively, players using an emulator can enter any of the following cheats into the emulator’s “Cheat” menu.
General Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Infinite HP (Character 1) | 80023E30 03E7 |
| Infinite MP (Character 1) | 80023E34 0063 |
| Infinite HP (Character 2) | 80023EB0 03E7 |
| Infinite MP (Character 2) | 80023EB4 0063 |
| Infinite HP (Character 3) | 80023F30 03E7 |
| Infinite MP (Character 3) | 80023F34 0063 |
| Max Gold | 80020C52 7F00 80020C54 9896 |
| All Items | 5000E701 0001 30020400 0001 |
| All Items (Maximum) | 5000E701 0000 30020500 0063 |
| All Techs | 50002002 0000 80020836 FFFF |
| Unlock All Extras | 800DD70A FFFF |
| Unlock New Game + | 800AC99C FFD0 |
Crono Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Max HP | 30020605 00E7 30020606 0003 |
| Infinite HP | 30020603 00E7 30020604 0003 |
| Max MP | 30020609 0063 |
| Infinite MP | 30020607 0063 |
| 0 EXP/AP for Next Tech | 3002062D 0000 |
| 0 EXP to Next Level | 3002062B 0000 3002062C 0000 |
| Level 99 | 30020612 0063 |
| Max EXP | 30020613 007F 30020614 9896 |
| Max Power (PWR) | 3002060B 0063 |
| Max Stamina (STAM) | 3002060C 0063 |
| Max Speed (SPD) | 3002060D 0063 |
| Max Magic (MGC) | 3002060E 0063 |
| Max Hit Rate (HIT) | 3002060F 0063 |
| Max Evasion (EV) | 30020610 0063 |
| Max Magic Defense (M.DEF) | 30020611 0063 |
Lucca Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Max HP | 300206A5 00E7 300206A6 0003 |
| Infinite HP | 300206A3 00E7 300206A4 0003 |
| Max MP | 300206A9 0063 |
| Infinite MP | 300206A7 0063 |
| 0 EXP/AP for Next Tech | 300206CD 0000 |
| 0 EXP to Next Level | 300206CB 0000 300206CC 0000 |
| Level 99 | 300206B2 0063 |
| Max EXP | 300206B3 007F 300206B4 9896 |
| Max Power (PWR) | 300206AB 0063 |
| Max Stamina (STAM) | 300206AC 0063 |
| Max Speed (SPD) | 300206AD 0063 |
| Max Magic (MGC) | 300206AE 0063 |
| Max Hit Rate (HIT) | 300206AF 0063 |
| Max Evasion (EV) | 300206B0 0063 |
| Max Magic Defense (M.DEF) | 300206B1 0063 |
Frog Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Max HP | 30020745 00E7 30020746 0003 |
| Infinite HP | 30020743 00E7 30020744 0003 |
| Max MP | 30020749 0063 |
| Infinite MP | 30020747 0063 |
| 0 EXP/AP for Next Tech | 3002076D 0000 |
| 0 EXP to Next Level | 3002076B 0000 3002076C 0000 |
| Level 99 | 30020752 0063 |
| Max EXP | 30020753 007F 30020754 9896 |
| Max Power (PWR) | 3002074B 0063 |
| Max Stamina (STAM) | 3002074C 0063 |
| Max Speed (SPD) | 3002074D 0063 |
| Max Magic (MGC) | 3002074E 0063 |
| Max Hit Rate (HIT) | 3002074F 0063 |
| Max Evasion (EV) | 30020750 0063 |
| Max Magic Defense (M.DEF) | 30020751 0063 |
Marle Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Max HP | 30020655 00E7 30020656 0003 |
| Infinite HP | 30020653 00E7 30020654 0003 |
| Max MP | 30020659 0063 |
| Infinite MP | 30020657 0063 |
| 0 EXP/AP for Next Tech | 3002067D 0000 |
| 0 EXP to Next Level | 3002067B 0000 3002067C 0000 |
| Level 99 | 30020662 0063 |
| Max EXP | 30020663 007F 30020664 9896 |
| Max Power (PWR) | 3002065B 0063 |
| Max Stamina (STAM) | 3002065C 0063 |
| Max Speed (SPD) | 3002065D 0063 |
| Max Magic (MGC) | 3002065E 0063 |
| Max Hit Rate (HIT) | 3002065F 0063 |
| Max Evasion (EV) | 30020660 0063 |
| Max Magic Defense (M.DEF) | 30020661 0063 |
Robo Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Max HP | 300206F5 00E7 300206F6 0003 |
| Infinite HP | 300206F3 00E7 300206F4 0003 |
| Max MP | 300206F9 0063 |
| Infinite MP | 300206F7 0063 |
| 0 EXP/AP for Next Tech | 3002071D 0000 |
| 0 EXP to Next Level | 3002071B 0000 3002071C 0000 |
| Level 99 | 30020702 0063 |
| Max EXP | 30020703 007F 30020704 9896 |
| Max Power (PWR) | 300206FB 0063 |
| Max Stamina (STAM) | 300206FC 0063 |
| Max Speed (SPD) | 300206FD 0063 |
| Max Magic (MGC) | 300206FE 0063 |
| Max Hit Rate (HIT) | 300206FF 0063 |
| Max Evasion (EV) | 30020700 0063 |
| Max Magic Defense (M.DEF) | 30020701 0063 |
Ayla Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Max HP | 30020795 00E7 30020796 0003 |
| Infinite HP | 30020793 00E7 30020794 0003 |
| Max MP | 30020799 0063 |
| Infinite MP | 30020797 0063 |
| 0 EXP/AP for Next Tech | 300207BB 0000 300207BC 0000 |
| 0 EXP to Next Level | 300207BD 0000 |
| Level 99 | 300207A2 0063 |
| Max EXP | 300207A3 007F 300207A4 9896 |
| Max Power (PWR) | 3002079B 0063 |
| Max Stamina (STAM) | 3002079C 0063 |
| Max Speed (SPD) | 3002079D 0063 |
| Max Magic (MGC) | 3002079E 0063 |
| Max Hit Rate (HIT) | 3002079F 0063 |
| Max Evasion (EV) | 300207A0 0063 |
| Max Magic Defense (M.DEF) | 300207A1 0063 |
Magus Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Max HP | 300207E5 00E7 300207E6 0003 |
| Infinite HP | 300207E3 00E7 300207E4 0003 |
| Max MP | 300207E9 0063 |
| Infinite MP | 300207E7 0063 |
| 0 EXP/AP for Next Tech | 3002080D 0000 |
| 0 EXP to Next Level | 3002080B 0000 3002080C 0000 |
| Level 99 | 300207F2 0063 |
| Max EXP | 300207F3 007F 300207F4 9896 |
| Max Power (PWR) | 300207EB 0063 |
| Max Stamina (STAM) | 300207EC 0063 |
| Max Speed (SPD) | 300207ED 0063 |
| Max Magic (MGC) | 300207EE 0063 |
| Max Hit Rate (HIT) | 300207EF 0063 |
| Max Evasion (EV) | 300207F0 0063 |
| Max Magic Defense (M.DEF) | 300207F1 0063 |
Final Fantasy IV Secrets
Developer’s Room
The secret Developer’s Room is present in the PS1 release of Final Fantasy IV. To get there, you must first be able to access the Underworld and freely roam the Dwarven Castle. Inside the castle, head to the room with the Weapon and Armor shops. Head between the counters of both shops and into the Pub. Walk to the right to spot a darker section of flooring. This marks the location of a false wall. Walk through the wall here and into a secret passage to enter the Developer’s Room.
Final Fantasy IV Glitches
Cecil Weapon Duplication Glitch
Players can utilize this glitch to get 255 of any weapon for Cecil. Before entering a battle, equip any combination of arrows and bow to Cecil. Place the arrows in his right hand and the bow in his left hand. Enter a battle, and during the fight select “Item” and then press Up to view Cecil’s equipment. Select the arrows and place them into an empty inventory slot, then do the same for the bow. Select Cecil’s empty left hand and place the Avenger sword there. Have Cecil, and only Cecil, defeat the enemies. Open the menu after the battle and select “Equip”. There is now a strange symbol in Cecil’s right-hand slot. Unequip the Avenger, then select any weapon you want to duplicate and place it into Cecil’s right hand. You will now have 255 of that weapon.
Final Fantasy IV Gameshark Codes
Players will need a PlayStation, a copy of Final Fantasy Chronicles, and a Gameshark device to use these Final Fantasy IV Gameshark codes for PS1. Alternatively, players using an emulator can enter any of the following cheats into the emulator’s “Cheat” menu.
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Max Gil | 800D16A0 967F 300D16A2 0098 |
| Max Gil After Battle | 800D599A 967F 300D599C 0098 |
| Max EXP After Battle | 300D599D 007F 800D599E 9896 |
| Don’t Lose Money Running From Battle | 800D599A 0000 300D599C 0000 |
| No Random Battles | 800D0686 0231 |
| Save Anywhere | 300D1A02 0001 |
| Stop In-Game Timer | 300D16A3 0000 |
Final Fantasy Chronicles Cheat FAQs
How long does it take to beat Final Fantasy Chronicles?
The Final Fantasy Chronicles compilation contains two full games. Both of these titles, Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV, have differing average completion times depending on how much of each title players hope to see. In the case of Chrono Trigger, most playthroughs will take roughly 23 hours, with a completionist playthrough lasting about 40-45 hours on average. Final Fantasy IV can be completed in about 20 hours, with a completionist playthrough taking about 30-35 hours on average.
What games do Final Fantasy Chronicles include?
The PS1 Final Fantasy Chronicles compilation is one of three series compilations on the PlayStation. Chronicles contains Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV, both of which make their first official Western appearance outside the SNES versions. The inclusion of Chrono Trigger would partially come about due to overwhelming fan requests for Square to port the game and re-release it on what was then modern hardware.
What new features does Final Fantasy Chronicles add?
Interestingly, the versions of both games that Final Fantasy Chronicles contains are different from their SNES originals. In the case of Chrono Trigger, the PS1 release that Chronicles features contains anime cutscenes not included in the original SNES version. Other than these short FMV movies, Chrono Trigger remains largely the same as its original release. Conversely, the version of Final Fantasy IV that Chronicles contains is the original “Hard Type” release. The initial North American release of the game on the SNES (as Final Fantasy II) is actually the “Easy Type” version of the game. The PS1 version of Final Fantasy IV also includes beginning and ending FMV movies.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©CheatCC/Matt Karoglou.