Chrono Trigger HD-2D Remake: The Perfect Storm

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scarcely are there games that enjoy the level of widespread admiration and longevity as the title Chrono Trigger, which, astonishingly, remains contemporary and innovative even at 30 years old. To celebrate its 30th anniversary on March 11, Square Enix used social media to recognize the game’s influence, while also hinting that fans could anticipate multiple projects related to Chrono Trigger throughout the following year. Considering Square Enix’s willingness to redesign classic RPGs from their catalog, it’s possible that an HD-2D remake of Chrono Trigger could be on the horizon.

The distinctive 2D HD art style, notably used in Square Enix and Acquire’s game Octopath Traveler, has emerged as an excellent visual choice for modern reimaginings of classic role-playing games (RPGs). Since then, it has been employed in other titles such as Live A Live and Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake from last year. Fans eagerly anticipate the HD-2D remakes of both the original Dragon Quest and Dragon Quest 2 in 2025. Given the success of the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake and the fact that the Dragon Quest series showcases the artwork and character designs of the late Akira Toriyama, a Chrono Trigger HD-2D remake seems sensible, both in terms of financial feasibility and practicality.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D’s Commercial Performance Bodes Well for a Chrono Trigger Remake

Square Enix’s strategy of revisiting and enhancing its classic games, such as the remastered version of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, has been exceptionally profitable. The original Dragon Quest 3 was not only the quickest and highest-selling game in the series upon release but remains the most successful title within the long-running and influential JRPG genre to this day. Consequently, it’s no surprise that the remake of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D has continued its success, selling over 2 million copies in under six months.

As a passionate gamer, it’s tough not to envision that the success of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake would motivate Square Enix to carry on remaking or remastering other cherished games from their collection. Frankly, I can hardly conceive of a more adored classic in Square Enix’s catalog than Chrono Trigger.

From a purely monetary standpoint, an HD-2D remake of Chrono Trigger would be a guaranteed triumph for Square Enix, and the title’s 30th anniversary presents an ideal moment for the company to seize this opportunity while the interest is high.

Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger’s Shared Lineage Could Speed Up a Remake’s Arrival

It’s intriguing to note that whispers about a potential revamp of the classic game “Chrono Trigger” have been swirling for quite some time, with sources suggesting that Square Enix might have already advanced considerably in its development by as early as 2023. What adds fuel to this speculation is the connection between “Chrono Trigger” and “Dragon Quest,” as both share a rich heritage. The creator of “Dragon Quest,” Yuji Horii, and artist Akira Toriyama, along with Hironobu Sakaguchi who created “Final Fantasy,” formed the “Dream Team” that developed “Chrono Trigger.” With high-definition 2D remakes of the initial three “Dragon Quest” games set to release in 2024 and 2025, there’s a strong possibility that resources from those projects could be repurposed for a potential HD-2D remake of “Chrono Trigger.

Given the significant role “Chrono Trigger” played in both the SNES’s legacy and the broader history of RPGs, it appears unlikely that Square Enix would let its 30th anniversary go unmarked with a mere celebration. While it is possible that the game might just be a re-release or port on modern platforms, a smaller project seems to miss out on a golden opportunity.

Given the potential popularity of an HD-2D remake of “Chrono Trigger”, and considering how smoothly the development of such a project could progress due to previous work on the HD-2D remakes of the first three “Dragon Quest” games, a comprehensive remake appears more probable than a simple remaster.

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2025-03-25 20:35