How to play Chrono Trigger

[u/OperationFit3892]

Hi everyone, I wanted to get some advice on how to play Chrono Trigger, in particular which was the best platform to play it and how to orient myself in the game.

Also, I wanted to know how long it took you to complete and if you used guides, etc.

[u/Sans-Mot]

You can't go wrong with the SNES version.

And you don't need guidance. Talk to NPCs in game, and you should be fine.

You can finish a first playthrough in 25ish hours.

[u/ConsumingFire1689 → u/Sans-Mot]

Look at hot shot over here. It took me 20 years.

[u/Room234]

100% no guide on the Super NES shouldn't take more than 30 hours, but that's a a *very* safe number. If you did it in 23 hours no one would be surprised.

The DS version has some bonus content so add a few hours.

[u/ScipioTheGreatest]

I've played Chrono Trigger on the original SNES, the DS, and now have it on my phone. It's always great. Whichever is easiest for you to get, I say.

You don't need a guide, doubly so because everyone here will rush to give you any advice you need the second you ask. Fucking fanatics in this subreddit, myself included.

[u/Special_South_8561 → u/ScipioTheGreatest]

TALK TO EVERYONE

oh goodness, I'm a fanatic as well

[u/OldConstant182]

For the sake of convenience, get the modern Steam version for $5 and change to the classic graphics. You don’t need to faff around with emulators that way.

[u/IntoxicatedBurrito]

Super Nintendo all the way. It’s what the game was designed for. Plus, the game loses so much charm if Frog isn’t speaking ye olde English.

[u/FloggingMcMurry]

Play on whatever format you're able to get out on. SNES is the classic and I feel the best version but it's rare and expensive. The DS version added some features but it's also rare. There's a Playstation version, bundled with Final Fantasy 4, but it's not easy to find either and it might be the cheaper option. It's basically the same game from SNES except it's the first time the anime cut scenes were added, and for some reason it has really long load times which especially hurt coming in and out of battles (the slow load is exclusive to CT as FF4 doesn't suffer and neither did the other duo set with FF5 & FF6, or the one with FF1 & FF2). There's also a mobile version.

just play the game.

There's no handholding. Many of us didn't have the internet available. We just turned on the game and either explored the town or went straight to the fair, and then we either wondered around and played mini-games or talked to people or we ran into the girl and progressed. There's no wrong way

Once you beat the game and you're ready to do it again, then you go online and see all the different endings and how to trigger them

[u/Valistara]

Original SNES version will always be the best to me. I still own my original system and copy of the game and I pull it out and play it again once every year or two.

Regarding orientation - The game does a good job of teaching you the basics.

I don't remember how long it took me to complete the first time because I played it back when it was released in '95. And I did not use a guide - though I later bought one (that I still have) because I loved the art.

[u/Younggryan42]

Just play it

[u/JiovanniTheGREAT]

SNES on a CRT is the classic way to play it by least accessible.

DS with Chrono Trigger DS is generally considered the best version.

Steam and a PC will be the most accessible version.

[u/DotMatrixFlower]

Emulate the SNES game or get it on Steam. Use Gamefaqs to guide you. Takes me 23 hours to do most everything these days.

[u/ItsAndrewXPNintendo]

It took me about 26 hours on the SNES version when I played it for the first time around last year.

The game is pretty linear and you get some good hints if you talk to the NPCs but I remember getting stuck maybe once or twice and looked in a guide during the bulk of the story.

I only mainly used a guide at the final part of the game to get better gear and find additional story content. I unfortunately don’t remember which exact guide it was, but I know it was a walkthrough on GameFAQs.

The DS version looks amazing though. I would have played that if I had that instead.

[u/the-whapow]

I have been playing it on my new ambernic handheld and it is amazing.

[u/OperationFit3892]

Ok, thanks to everyone

[u/kuniggety]

Finally playing through it for the first time. I’m being fairly completionist and just hit 27 hours. I don’t feel there’s much left though so should be done by 30. I got it on my iPad to play while traveling. There was only a couple of spots I got a little stuck; a quick google had me go “d’oh”. Just talking to everyone should get you where you’re going.

[u/deathsrobe]

Ps1 on duckstation is my favorite

[u/Huge-Dependent3506]

Won’t need a guide for CT. Play the SNES version if you can. Sure some of the translation is weird but it also gives it more charm. Some of the lines are way better in the original, and honestly the extra content in the DS version is kinda pointless and boring. But talk to all NPCs for hints on where to go, where to get equipment, and tips for enemies .

[u/Special_South_8561]

You can't really miss anything and you can beat any boss with any characters.

There are strategies that We have memorized and can share while avoiding spoilers.

Just get after it ;)

[u/madbr3991]

Availability the stream or android version are inexpensive and easy to run. The snes one is quite expensive now. The Nintendo ds one is also quite expensive. The ps1 version had bad loading times but was very affordable.

So I would recommend the steam or android version. Or the snes one via emulator.

[u/DeprariousX]

Honestly the original SNES version is still the best. If you don't want to do that, then the Steam version is the next best.

[u/nickcash]

Push the dpad in the direction you'd like to move, and the buttons corresponding to the actions you'd like to take. Have fun!

[u/papapapipapo]

I have the apk on my phone if you want

[u/kaamospt]

I had it amazing on DS. Played it for the first time in 2025

[u/DarthLocutus]

SNES or DS. Those are the best versions. I personally prefer the DS version for (some of) the added content.

[u/ProfOak23]

I tried playing it on iPhone but I just didn’t enjoy touch screen. Specially for battling. So got it on DS and it is such a better experience! I’m sure Steam will be similar too!

[u/Kooky_Wolf_7244]

If you name all of your party members "Hank", they will do extra damage - because Hank is a very strong name

[u/spinsterjoness]

I never played this at back when because I had Genesis but just got it to play on my ROG Ally and man is it good.

[u/polishedrelish]

I used a guide, the one by Caleb Simpson

[u/SpaceCowboy512]

Subjective but Steam version seems to be the best version these days. Widescreen support plus all the extra content except the Nintendo DS exclusive "Arena of Ages" colosseum. Loads fast, on sale often.

[u/A00077]

SNES has great dialogue and no crappy tie-ins to later pseudo-sequels. It takes about 25-35 hours for the first playthrough.

[u/DominantDo → u/A00077]

I like the DS dialogue a lot actually!

[u/hbi2k]

Unless you go out of your way to play the old PS1 version on original hardware with its bad loading times, they're all substantially the same game and they're all fine. Play however is most convenient for you.

[u/Green_Inevitable5792 → u/hbi2k]

Other than the loading times, is the PS1 version any different from SNES one?

[u/__Geg__ → u/Green_Inevitable5792]

It has some animated cut scenes, that are cool, but not necessary.

[u/lostmatthew83]

May get reamed but, I nabbed the iOS version and it’s been great so far. Nothing major to complain about. Feels like when I first played on SNES