A few things differ between the original SNES version, the PlayStation release, and the Nintendo DS version. Note that all versions released after the Nintendo DS version use the Nintendo DS names. This includes the iOS and Android versions.
In the PlayStation version, most identifiable difference is the Extra Mode and altered graphics, as well as the cinematics. The Nintendo DS version, on the other hand, offers additional content, a WiFi mini-game, improved programming, and cinematics from the PlayStation version. Also, much of the text, including names of enemies and items were revised. See below for naming differences.
PlayStation exclusive features
Extras Mode
The Extras Mode is a PlayStation exclusive feature.
Nintendo DS
In the Nintendo DS version, Frog no longer has his Anglo-Saxon accent. This means that minor changes to his dialogue appear throughout the game.
Exclusive areas and features
Arena of the Ages
- For more details on this topic, see Chrono Trigger/Arena of the Ages.
The Arena of the Ages is a WiFi mini-game that adds some replay-ability to the game. It is a monster training and battling mini-game that also allows players to earn rewards.
Lost Sanctum
- For more details on this topic, see Chrono Trigger/Lost Sanctum.
After the Black Omen appears in the sky, two Gates will appear, offering some optional DS exclusive sidequests with great rewards.
Dimensional Vortex
- For more details on this topic, see Chrono Trigger/Dimensional Vortex.
In the Nintendo DS version, one exclusive area exists called the Dimensional Vortex. The Dimensional Vortex is a dungeon with that can only be accessed after beating the game at least once. When you return to your saved game, three new Gates will have appeared in separate time periods (12,000 B.C., 1000 A.D., and 2300 A.D.).
Like other dungeons in the game, the Dimensional Vortex varies depending on which time period you're in when you pass through the gate. Each time period specifies the reward from completing the dungeon: a permanent upgrade to one of three characters: Marle (the past), Chrono (the present), or Lucca (the future).
After completing all three different versions of the dungeon, a final, new, boss encounter is unlocked (as well as a new ending).
Time's Eclipse
Time's Eclipse is the final area of the Nintendo DS version of Chrono Trigger. Within it is the final boss of the game. To reach this area you must first unlock and complete the Dimensional Vortex dungeons, and then use a new Gate that appears at the End of Time.
Names
There are major naming differences (hundreds of names have been changed) between the original SNES release and the Nintendo DS release. The PlayStation version also had some name changes, but it mostly uses the SNES names.
Please see the relevant sections for naming differences:
- Armor
- Bosses and enemies
- Items
- Techs
- Weapons
Enemies
Names to double check in-game.
| SNES | Nintendo DS |
|---|---|
| Amphibite/Rain Frog | Prehistoric Frog |
| Beast | Mudbeast |
| SNES | Nintendo DS |
|---|---|
| Evil Weevil | Aecyto Weevil |
| Flunky | Servant (Crossbow) |
| Fly Trap | Rafflesia |
| Free Lancer | Freelancer |
| Gigasaur | Aecytosaur |
| Gnasher | Viper |
| Gnawer | Fangtooth |
| Goblin | Ogan |
| Gold Eaglet | Golden Eaglet |
| Goon | Fangbeast |
| Gremlin | Grimling |
| Grimalkin | Blue Gargoyle |
| Groupie | Servant (Sword) |
| Guard | Royal Guard |
| Hench 1 | Underling (Blue) |
| Hench 2 | Underling (Purple) |
| Hetake | Amanita |
| Hexapod | Vilepillar |
| Imp Ace | Imp Hawk |
| Incognito/Peeping Doom | Shieldsman |
| Jinn | Djinn |
| Jinn Bottle | Djinn Bottle |
| Krakker | Blood Yolk |
| Lasher | Warrior |
| Leaper | Aecytonyx |
| Mage | Zealot Mage |
| Man Eater | Death Lily |
| Meat Eater | Floral Horror |
| Metal Mute | Metal Mutant |
| Mohavor | Sandrago |
| Naga-ette | Naga |
| Nereid | Dondrago |
| Octoblush | Cave Stalker |
| Octopod | Ruin Stalker |
| Ogan | Ogan (Hammer) |
| Omnicrone | Gaoler |
| Pahoehoe | Mossback |
| Poly | Fiendillo |
| Proto 2 | Version 2.0 |
| Proto 3 | Version 3.0 |
| Proto 4 | Version 4.0 |
| Reaper | Flesh Reaper |
| Red Scout | Red Scouter |
| Reptile | Reptite (Purple) |
| Reptite | Reptite (Green) |
| Roly | Roundillo |
| Roly Poly | Boundillo |
| Roly Rider | Roundillo Rider |
| RolyBomber | Roundillo Bomber |
| Ruminator | Hydraconda |
| Runner | Crested Sprinter |
| Scout | Scouter |
| Sentry | Ghost Knight |
| Shist | Schist |
| Sidekick | Nomad |
| T'pole | Edible Frog |
| Tempurite | Rhino Weevil |
| Terrasaur | Terasaur |
| Thrasher | Daltonite |
| Tubster | Blubber Hulk |
| Vamp | Vampire Bat |
| Volcano | Volcanite |
| Winged Ape | Bao Bao |
Boss names
| SNES | Nintendo DS |
|---|---|
| Bit | Pod |
| Black Tyrano | Black Tyranno |
| Blue Beast | Blue Mudbeast |
| Dalton Plus | King Dalton |
| Flea Plus | Diva Flea |
| Giga Mutant (Bottom) | Giga Mutant (Lower Body) |
| Giga Mutant (Top) | Giga Mutant (Upper Body) |
| Golem Boss | Golem Overlord |
| Golem Twins | Golem Sisters |
| Great Ozzie | Ozzie the Great |
| Lavos Core (Body) | Center Pod |
| Lavos Core (Left Bit) | Lavos Pod |
| Lavos Core (Right Bit) | Lavos Core |
| Lavos Shell | Elder Lavos Spawn (Shell) |
| Lavos Spawn | Elder Lavos Spawn (Mouth) |
| Masa&Mune | Masa & Mune |
| Mega Mutant (Bottom) | Mega Mutant (Lower Body) |
| Mega Mutant (Top) | Mega Mutant (Upper Body) |
| R Series | R-Series |
| Red Beast | Red Mudbeast |
| Retinite (Bottom) | Melphyx (Lower Body) |
| Retinite (Core) | Melphyx (Core) |
| Retinite (Top) | Melphyx (Upper Body) |
| Rust Tyrano | Rust Tyranno |
| Sir Krawlie | Krawlie |
| Son of Sun | Son of the Sun |
| TerraMutant (Bottom) | Tera Mutant (Lower Body) |
| TerraMutant (Top) | Tera Mutant (Upper Body) |
| Zeal | Queen Zeal |
| Zeal (Face) | Queen Zeal (Face) |
| Zeal (Left Hand) | Queen Zeal (Left Hand) |
| Zeal (Right Hand) | Queen Zeal (Right Hand) |
| Zombor (Bottom) | Zombor (Lower Body) |
| Zombor (Top) | Zombor (Upper Body) |
Locations
| SNES | Nintendo DS |
|---|---|
| Apocalypse | Cataclysm |
| Cathedral | Manolia Cathedral |
| Cave | Small Cave |
| Choras Cafe | Tavern |
| Choras Market | Market |
| Choras Mayor's Manor | Mayor's Manor |
| Choras Residence | Residence |
| Commons | Village Commons |
| Dark Ages | Antiquity |
| Denadoro Mts | Denadoro Mountains |
| Dorino Elder's House | Elder's House |
| Dorino Market | Market |
| Dorino Residence | Residence |
| Factory | Derelict Factory |
| Lab 16 | Site 16 |
| Lab 32 | Site 32 |
| Lair Ruins | Tyranno Lair Ruins |
| Meeting Site | Meeting Grounds |
| Melchior's Hut | Melchior's Cabin |
| Mystic Mts | Mystic Mountains |
| Porre Elder's House | Elder's House |
| Porre Market | Market |
| Porre Mayor's Manor | Mayor's Manor |
| Porre Residence | Residence |
| Prehistoric | Prehistory |
| Sewer Access | Abandoned Sewers |
| Sun Keep | Sun Temple |
| Sun Palace | Sun Shrine |
| Ticket Office | Ferry Office |
| Truce Market | Market |
| Truce Mayor's Manor | Mayor's Manor |
| Truce Residence | Residence |
| Tyrano Lair | Tyranno Lair |
| Village | Surviving Village |