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[Nerokis]

I've played both, and I'm conflicted on this question. DS version is really good (refined translation, implementation of PS cutscenes, etc.), but although I could see some people finding value in the new content, I found it mostly mediocre. Chrono Trigger is so good partly because it has such excellent pacing, and I found myself wishing I had never wasted time in a certain area after trying it out for an hour or so.

I'm almost inclined to say the VC version should be played first. The original translation has a certain charm, there's less fluff (I would argue 90% of the cutscenes could be counted as fluff, as well), and the television + controller combo just feels...truer.

You can't really go wrong either way. Choose whichever platform you prefer in general.

 

[Syril]

I think both are good for different reasons. The DS version has portability going for it, but I've seen the extra content and ending and wasn't impressed, though I say this as someone who strongly disliked the parts of Chrono Cross that related to Trigger. The DS translation has a more consistent quality, but it also changed some lines from the SNES translation that I thought were really effective. You can't go wrong with either really.

 

[TheContact]

Can't go wrong with the DS version. If you prefer playing on a TV then go retro with the VC version

 

[hlhbk]

Can't go wrong with the DS version. If you prefer playing on a TV then go retro with the VC version

Hmm really torn on this. My options are:

Play on TV with virtual console version. Origional version, apparently a better translation, less content, better sound?

Play on DS with more (though not better) content, worse translation.

Play on PC (is this legal if I already own the cart for SNES/DS?) see above, but on my PC I have a 5.1 surround sound system which would really show off the music.

 

[Stumpokapow]

If portability is not significant to you, I'd actually recommend the SNES version. I don't like the font or UI in the DS version, I don't like the anime cutscenes (although they're optional), and I don't like the new content. I also don't think the new translation brings a whole lot to the table.

 

[J-Skee]

Thank God I never played the DS or SNES version. I only have the PlayStation version of the game & the load times aren't great by any means, but it'll do. Playing the other two might ruin it for me. Plus, the ability to choose between my PS3 or PSP is nice.

 

[TheMoon]

Hmm really torn on this. My options are:

Play on TV with virtual console version. Origional version, apparently a better translation, less content, better sound?

Play on DS with more (though not better) content, worse translation.

Play on PC (is this legal if I already own the cart for SNES/DS?) see above, but on my PC I have a 5.1 surround sound system which would really show off the music.

not worse, different. let's call it less charming. "worse" makes it sound like "I feel asleep" type stuff

and what good does 5.1 surround do for stereo music?

 

[hlhbk]

not worse, different. let's call it less charming. "worse" makes it sound like "I feel asleep" type stuff

and what good does 5.1 surround do for stereo music?

The 5.1 might not do much, but I am talking about the difference in hearing the game using tv/ds speakers (I don't have headphones) and a $300 sound system.

 

[Tathanen]

It should be noted that 1:1 is not how the game was designed and meant to be seen though.

Here's how it looks like on 1:1:

Here's how it's really meant to look like (4:3):

The sprites also look way too tall on 1:1.

Well let's be clear, I mean 1:1 software to fixed pixel display ratio, namely not scaling DS software on the 3DS to a larger, but still proportionate, size. The DS game stretched the internal pixels correctly I believe, and 1:1 mode on the 3ds maintains that. The skewed version you're talking about you can only get in a PC emulator.

 

[Oemenia]

I'd say the VC/SNES version but on an SDTV. Its a gorgeous that needs to be seen in big but also with the aid of scanlines.

 

[JaseMath]

SNES. Always.

DS is fine, but the text can be hard to read and the extra stuff is atrocious.

 

[hlhbk]

So I have played up to the point where

Spoiler

you get transported the first time

. The music is great, seems ok gameplay wise but does the story pick up?

 

[TheMoon]

So I have played up to the point where

Spoiler

you get transported the first time

. The music is great, seems ok gameplay wise but does the story pick up?

What do you mean by "does it pick up"? Stuff obviously happens as you go along. What do you mean by transported? Are you past the Millenial Fair opening? If that's where you are, basically nothing happened yet^^

Well let's be clear, I mean 1:1 software to fixed pixel display ratio, namely not scaling DS software on the 3DS to a larger, but still proportionate, size. The DS game stretched the internal pixels correctly I believe, and 1:1 mode on the 3ds maintains that. The skewed version you're talking about you can only get in a PC emulator.

Here are some pics of Chrono Trigger DS:
(ignore the sharpness or brightness, those are all because of different camera settings I just used to snap a quick pic)

This is the game played on a DS Lite:

This is the game played on a 3DS in 1:1 pixel mode (hold start or select during game boot-up)

This is the game played on a 3DS in regular stretched mode (do nothing during boot-up):

As you can see, nothing is weirdly misshapen. Circle shaped pendulum is still a circle.

 

[jholmes]

I don't know how you guys can cite the new content in the DS port as a selling point. The new dungeons are long, bloated, pointless and the cut scenes fade in and out, unlike the rest of the game, which is really jarring. The PS anime cutscenes just repeat the same plot points already in the game and are really distracting. The PS extras like the bestiary are fine but you'd have to beat the game to even care.

Unless you don't have a Wii or Wii U or portability is a big issue, don't bother with the DS port.

 

[hlhbk]

What do you mean by "does it pick up"? Stuff obviously happens as you go along. What do you mean by transported? Are you past the Millenial Fair opening? If that's where you are, basically nothing happened yet^^



Here are some pics of Chrono Trigger DS:
(ignore the sharpness or brightness, those are all because of different camera settings I just used to snap a quick pic)

This is the game played on a DS Lite:


This is the game played on a 3DS in 1:1 pixel mode (hold start or select during game boot-up)


This is the game played on a 3DS in regular stretched mode (do nothing during boot-up):


As you can see, nothing is weirdly misshapen. Circle shaped pendulum is still a circle.

yeah the beginning at the fair. I have always heard how great the story is in this game is why I ask.

 

[Boney]

yeah the beginning at the fair. I have always heard how great the story is in this game is why I ask.

It's been like five minutes of play time. Geez

 

[DiipuSurotu]

I don't know how you guys can cite the new content in the DS port as a selling point. The new dungeons are long, bloated, pointless and the cut scenes fade in and out, unlike the rest of the game, which is really jarring.

Agreed. Plus, the new maps look like they were thrown together in RPG Maker without the talent of the original mappers. They use familiar tilesets, but everything is blocky and rectangular like, I don't know, FFIV or FF Mystic Quest. They don't feel like natural landscapes at all.

This is a map from the original Chrono Trigger:

This is a new location from CT DS:

 

[Dr. Buni]

DS version is the definitive version.

 

[prateeko]

DS version is the definitive version.

I miss some of the Wooley translation (playing through DS version now, previously had put about 10 hours into VC), the experience is pretty well preserved when playing on hype DSi XL and it's massive screen.

 

[illadelph]

The VC version is only 8 bucks, so there's that to consider

 

[ItsTheNew]

SNES version. Good enough to be called one of the best games ever over and over again, silly jokes/writing and all.

 

[zruben]

the DS is great for the updated translation, double screen menus, cutscenes, and having it portable.

the extra content is totally worthless.

 

[sixteen-bit]

SNES. Always.

DS is fine, but the text can be hard to read and the extra stuff is atrocious.

And the aspect ratio is wrong

 

[TheMoon]

And the aspect ratio is wrong

Is it?

 

[Dr. Buni]

I miss some of the Wooley translation (playing through DS version now, previously had put about 10 hours into VC), the experience is pretty well preserved when playing on hype DSi XL and it's massive screen.

I played it on my DSi. It was an amazing experience.

 

[The Dutch Slayer]

Want to and can play it on the big screen? go snes VC.
If you want portable or more conent go DS.

I always go snes VC but that is just because I have my own giant tv all the time.

[edit] I meant GO

 

[Magnus]

The Playstation version is fine. Not nearly as good as the ds or the snes version but it will do in a pinch. If you have a psp go, the fast disc read option makes it roughly comparable. Still the worst of the 3 but it's not like it is ff9 slow

I really have to counter and disagree with this. It's far from fine. Music sounds off, and the loads are horrendously long, even with load time sped up. 5+ seconds for battle loads at start and end is terrible. I wouldn't say comparable at all.

The sound/music is really not the same. Square fucked up here for both FFVI and CT on the PS1.

 

[CrunchyFrog]

The in game arena and end game quests added in the DS version are dog shit but there's a few neat extras like the bestiary and jukebox and the cutscenes from the PS1 release, plus an updated script (though I miss some of the Woolsey-isms of the original translation), customizable gui and the convenience of it being portable. I'd probably go with that over the VC one unless suspend/resume and a bigger screen are more important to you.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Is it?

Yeah, everything appears a bit slimmer than intended. The game's assets were originally drawn for a 256 x 224 resolution stretched to a 4:3 ratio. The pixels on a DS display are square, and the art wasn't redrawn to compensate.

 

[DiipuSurotu]

Yeah, everything appears a bit slimmer than intended. The game's assets were originally drawn for a 256 x 224 resolution stretched to a 4:3 ratio. The pixels on a DS display are square, and the art wasn't redrawn to compensate.

So I was right after all?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=134030483&postcount=59

It's been so long since I played the game.

 

[Easy_D]

The DS port is perfect. Can't speak for the VC version though. I will double dip if people speak positively on that port.

Plays like a goddamn dream. Nothing wrong with it that I can notice. I'm a dirty European though so i never got to experience it on a real SNES.

 

[TheMoon]

You're really gonna make me buy the Wii VC version now to compare, aren't ya?

 

[Mr Git]

Thanks for the replies, I'll give the PS1 version a miss and wait till I've got a Wii U. Probably cheaper now than importing a SNES copy..

 

[TheMoon]

Thanks for the replies, I'll give the PS1 version a miss and wait till I've got a Wii U. Probably cheaper now than importing a SNES copy..

Especially considering you can buy Earthbound along with it for a tenner. That easily turns into a win, money wise ;D