| System: | Nintendo DS |
| Score: |  5 (Excellent) |
Unlike some of the more recent remakes coming from Square Enix, Chrono Trigger DS has, at its core, the original Chrono Trigger. This is a very good thing, as the original Chrono Trigger was very good. There are a few new features, but they're all just extras, so if you want an almost entirely original experience, you can get it.
This game features a new translation. This means that it's not a soda drinking contest at the Millennial Faire at the start of the game - it's a drinking contest, as it was always intended to be. This version also adds anime cutscenes to the game - and I do mean "add," in that no game content is replaced by them. This means that in some cases you'll see the same thing happen twice - first in the anime cutscene, then in the game. The anime cutscenes are entirely optional and can be disabled.
There are several new dungeons. Sadly, they suffer from Square Enix Remake Syndrome, and are essentially new maps with existing graphics and "new" enemies that are just palette-swapped versions of original enemies. There are a few good moments in them, and one of them uses the whole "time travel" concept that you'd expect.
There are a number of standard remake extras as well, like the bestiary and music theater that every Square Enix remake has features. There are a few other extras too, like the Item Encyclopedia that lists where items were found, and the Ending Log, which lists which of the various endings that Chrono Trigger features have been found.
There's a new "monster arena" feature, which is, let's be honest, a Pokémon inspired minigame. I didn't find it to be that interesting - but, again, it's an optional extra, so you're free to completely ignore it with no ill effect.
The Chrono Trigger remake provides the original Chrono Trigger experience. The extras only add to the game and provide new things to try out. They're not all that great, but they're completely extra - they don't impact the original game at all.