Thirty years after its debut on the Super Famicom in Japan, Chrono Trigger is once again capturing hearts—and climbing the charts. The beloved role-playing game, created by the so-called “dream team” of Hironobu Sakaguchi (Final Fantasy), Yuji Horii (Dragon Quest), and the late Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball, Dragon Quest), has shot up to No. 4 on the Japanese Apple App Store’s Paid Games ranking and claimed the No. 1 spot in its RPG category.
Much of the recent surge can be attributed to nostalgia for Chrono Trigger’s March 11, 1995, release date, as well as a celebratory discount that has reduced the mobile version’s price by 70% (now 480 yen, or about $3 USD) until March 24. Players new and old have been flocking to download the game—praised for its time-traveling storyline, vibrant 2D graphics, and evocative soundtrack composed primarily by Yasunari Mitsuda with contributions from Nobuo Uematsu.
A Year of Announcements Ahead
In tandem with the anniversary festivities, Square Enix posted on its official Twitter account that it has “various developments” in store over the next year—ones that “go beyond the world of the game.” While details remain under wraps, fans are already buzzing about the possibility of new spin-offs or crossovers. Updates on these projects will be shared via the Square Enix Twitter/X and @ChronoTriggerPR.
Mitsuda Reflects, Fans Rejoice
Composer Yasunari Mitsuda—who cites Chrono Trigger as his springboard into a 30-year music career—thanked supporters, saying, “I don’t think I could have possibly come this far on my own.” Meanwhile, players have been sharing cherished memories and favorite tracks like “Yearnings of the Wind,” “Corridor of Time,” and “Frog’s Theme” on social media.
Special Livestream Concert
To further honor the RPG’s legacy, Square Enix will host a special livestream featuring selections from Chrono Trigger’s iconic soundtrack. The event is set for March 14 at 7:00 p.m. PT / 10:00 p.m. ET and will run until March 15 at 4:00 a.m. PT / 7:00 a.m. ET. Fans can tune in on YouTube to relive classic tunes that defined a generation of role-playing games.
Available on Modern Platforms
Though originally a Super Famicom release, Chrono Trigger is now widely accessible via PC (Steam), iOS, and Android, with older ports on PlayStation and Nintendo DS. Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite or experiencing it for the first time, there’s never been a better moment to dive into one of gaming’s most revered adventures. Keep your eyes on Square Enix’s announcements for more 30th anniversary surprises in the year to come.
