Play this enchanting remix while browsing the thread!"It all began ages ago...
It's power, which was beyond human comprehension, cultivated dreams...
In turn, love and hate were born...
Only time will see how it all ends."Yes. Ages ago is when it all began. And when "ages" is referenced in this case, it means about 20 years. Although this game was released in Japan in April of 1995, it didn't hit North American shores until August of that same year. A lot of time has passed since then. It seems so long ago, yet remains so fresh in many players' minds. I of course am talking about what is not only the best RPG of all time, but arguably the best video game ever created.
Chrono Trigger"All life begins with Nu and ends with Nu... This is the truth! This is my belief. At least for now..."So...1995. I'm not sure where all of you were in life at that point, but for me? It was 10th grade. I was 15 years old. Times were easier back then, and though I didn't have a lot of disposable income, I had a lot of freedom. And as someone who enjoys video games as much as I did (still do) it was a kind of exciting time to be in. We were basically at the end of the Genesis/SNES "console war," with the SEGA Saturn having already released earlier in the year, and newcomer Sony was about to release something called a "Playstation" in the coming month. Next-gen was upon us. Yet Nintendo, who was fresh off of beating old rival SEGA with the release of games such as
Super Metroid and
Donkey Kong Country, (and about to put the final nail in the coffin with
Yoshi's Island, Killer Instinct and
Donkey Kong Country 2) on their aging 16-bit console, their next-gen console wasn't set to release until the following year. To me, it almost felt like Nintendo was losing some footing here. Nintendo hadn't much updated their Gameboy line (the Gameboy Pocket hadn't even released yet), mega-franchise
Pokémon hadn't been introduced yet, and they basically crashed and burned with the ill-fated Virtual Boy.
I was looking for something...big. Epic. Something exclusive to the SNES. Something to rival all other games at the time, and make the idea of buying into a brand new console a ridiculous notion. And yes, the games mentioned above certainly helped with that, but at the time? I was looking for something *meatier* than fun, silly platformers and savage, 2D fighters. Could the Super Nintendo really deliver an experience like that, so late in it's life?
"Come back anytime. We'll ride the wind, babe."The answer was a definite yes. I first heard of
Chrono Trigger in a small blurb in a Gamepro magazine (remember those?) saying it was basically another RPG from Square, with some help from some company called Enix, who I had not heard of before. There was one screenshot of a boy with red, spiky hair, a frog holding a sword, and it looked like they were standing around in a church of some kind. And that was it. Not much to go on. I mostly forgot about it until later that year. When the game actually did get released, reviews were through the roof. Nearly all publications at the time were giving
Chrono Trigger top marks. Amazing gameplay. Engaging story. Charming characters. Fantastic battle system. Some of the absolute best 16-bit graphics, a phenomenal soundtrack, multiple endings...and something called "New Game +" which, again, was something I wasn't familiar with. The glowing reviews were more than enough for me to "GET HYPE" for this new title, but the screenshots really got me hyped as well. I mean, look at this stuff:
Who needs 32-bits...or 64-bits, amirite?I wanted this game. I needed it. It was huge. An enormous testament to the capabilities of the SNES, and a game that proved that better technology didn't necessarily mean a better game. There was no longer a need (or even a desire) to buy a new console. The 16-bit console was all I needed for now. Well. Actually, I needed something else. Firstly, the cash to buy the game. And secondly, a ride to the mall so I could go into Babbage's. (remember Babbage's?!?) Sadly, at the time, I had neither of these two things. My dreams were dashed, and
Chrono Trigger went on to be a thing I would desire, but could not obtain.
"Just as you touch the energy of every life form you meet, so, too, will will their energy strengthen you."But luck was on my side. A buddy of mine had bought the game when it came out. He played it, beat it, loved it...but then...he was done with it. And he had his eyes firmly set on the future. He was about to dive head-first into next-gen, and his target was locked on the Playstation. But he was short some dollars, so he was asking around if anyone wanted to buy his old games so he could get the cash to buy Sony's machine. He had some good ones...
Ninja Warriors, Mortal Kombat II....and yes, freakin'
Chrono Trigger was up for sale. I had saved up some money by this point (October in 1995, I think?) and he was selling his cartridge for less than what Babbage's or Funcoland was asking for. I jumped on his offer right away. Bought the game, *complete in box* from him for a cool $45, IIRC. Best purchase ever? Maybe.
Chrono Trigger ended up being everything I had hoped for, and more. A strong, resilient hero, an amazing, epic adventure, and characters and story worth remembering. It was a defining time in my childhood/adolescence. The overall experience of
Chrono Trigger left a permanent mark on my soul. It was my first RPG ever. It exceeded all my expectations, and since then, no other video game has been able to achieve what it has. It was absolutely incredible. The perfect game.
What are your thoughts on
Chrono Trigger? Were you able to play it on SNES? PSX? DS? Let's talk, discuss, and celebrate what will likely be Square-Enix's best product, forever!
"The odds will be against you, but you are true heroes. Open now the last door, and take what you find there. My last invention...
My Wings of Time..."I've always liked this pic, but...what is Frog doing? I never figured that out.URL to share (right click and copy)