Visuals in Chrono Trigger are fundamentally unchanged from the SNES version. Characters are still represented by cute little sprites, and environments are rich and colorful. Zealous fans will probably notice that a few of the background environments have been touched up a little, and certain elements have been touched up slightly. But on the whole, the DS version of Chrono Trigger leaves the original look intact and still looks great despite being over a decade old.

The music in Chrono Trigger, though, is completely unchanged and is as beautiful as ever. Nobuo Uematsu's score in Chrono Trigger has been hailed as one of his best, and it comes through the DS speakers very nicely. Although there is not much here in the way of voiceover or sound effects, the score itself is enough to make Chrono Trigger a title worth hearing.

As I mentioned before, there are two ways to control this title: stylus and button-based. The button controls feel a little more organic and are a little bit faster if you are using the active battle system. However, if you have played a lot of RPGs on the Nintendo DS, then you are probably all-too familiar with the touch screen-based menu control scheme. Both of these control options work well, and it is just a matter of personal preference which one you decide to use.

Chrono Trigger for the DS is definitely representative of how an updated re-release can be done well. The core gameplay remains virtually unchanged, and the game's signature style and sound remain wonderfully intact. While this new version does include some new added features, these are very unobtrusive and serve to complement the original game experience instead of infringe upon it. I could not be more pleased with this rerelease, and I certainly applaud Square Enix for rewarding their longtime fans with such a classic title on a current system. However, this game is not just for longtime fans, and if you have never been able to experience Chrono Trigger, the DS provides the perfect vehicle to do so. No matter which category you fall into, this title is definitely one you shouldn't miss and deserves to find its way into your collection before you can say "Good morning, Chrono!"

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor