Thanks to the sheer number of characters in Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, there is no shortage of side quests for players to sink their teeth into. Some of them are for fun and pretty enjoyable to complete. Then, there are the side quests to do if players want some of the best equipment in the game. Players will also have to do some side quests in order to get some characters’ level 7 Tech abilities.
Chrono Cross is sure to keep players busy for quite a while thanks to all of the things that players can do in the game. If players are wondering which are the best side quests in Chrono Cross, this list will help to narrow things down to make it a little easier.
10 Compete In The Grand Slam
This is a fun one to do because instead of fighting with the characters, players must fight with monsters that Sprigg can turn into. For anyone wanting to compete in the Grand Slam, players should make sure to have Sprigg land the finishing blow on enemies. If Sprigg isn’t in the party, one character in the party should have the Forget-Me-Not Pot accessory equipped and land the finishing blow.
Winning the Grand Slam is necessary in order to recruit Janice, a Red Element character. Even if players don’t plan on using her though, it’s still a really fun side quest to do.
9 Recruit The Characters
There are plenty of characters that will join the party as the story goes on, but there are even more characters that players can potentially miss. Characters like Turnip, NeoFio, Draggy, and Steena are easy to miss and require some work to recruit. Most of these characters are worth getting, because not only are some of them strong, but they also have powerful Double Techs.
Plus, it’s an extra reward to get them and will let players have plenty of fun putting their dream team together. Finding these characters is worth the trouble and seeing their reactions to being recruited is entertaining to watch.
8 Get The Level 7 Techs
If players are wanting to make sure their characters have the best abilities for battle, finding the level 7 Techs is going to require some work. Most of the level 7 Techs will need to be found and have their respective characters in the group to do so. There are very few characters like Serge, Glenn, and Pip that players won’t have to worry about finding their Techs.
This may sound a little tedious to accomplish, but it’s needed if players want their characters to be as strong as possible. Plus, the quests to obtain them are interesting and give a little more backstory to some of the characters.
7 Defeat The Mystical Knights
Players can only fight the three Mystical Knights during New Game+, but they are some of the best monsters to recruit for the Grand Slam and some of Sprigg’s best transformations. Fans of Chrono Trigger will remember these three as bosses and the Mystical Knights are back as hidden bosses in Chrono Cross.
Players should be ready to use a lot of healing Elements and powerful offensive Elements. These three knights are tough and hit very hard. Players should also either have Sprigg in the group or have a character equipped with the Forget-Me-Not Pot, and land the finishing blow on them so they can be recruited.
6 Fight Criosphinx
This super boss is extremely tough, especially for those who are ill-prepared. There are two ways to defeat Criosphinx: either answer its questions correctly or power through and fight it. Criosphinx will even warn players about fighting him, but won’t stop them. If players plan on fighting him, it’s best to do it after fighting the dragons. They should equip the Yellow Plate to one character, because Criosphinx will use some powerful Yellow Elements.
Players will also want to bring some trap Elements for Earthquake and ThundaStorm, because not only will this give them powerful spells later on, but it will also prevent heavy damage. If players defeat him, they’ll receive the Sunglasses accessory, which increases the damage players inflict on enemies. Plus, there is a rare chance of stealing a Rainbow Shell from him.
5 Save Marbule With The Power Of Song
This is a quest that is a must-do if players want access to the Rainbow weapons and equipment later on in the game. After defeating the Sage of Marbule on the S.S. Zelbess, players must talk to Nikki (Home World) and agree to help him. They should have Fargo from Another World in the party, and have him do the talking.
After Fargo talks to his Home World counterpart, Nikki will have a concert that will make it possible to defeat the monsters haunting Marbule. Players will then have to defeat the monsters so the demi-humans will have a home in Home World.
4 Get The Master Hammer
This becomes available only after players save Marbule in Home World. After finishing the events at Chronopolis, players need to visit Marbule again and see that the demi-humans are fully moved into their new home. Players must then go to the cave at the top of the town (where the Black Dragon is found in Another World) and talk to a man that will sell the Master Hammer for 10,000 gold.
After buying the Master Hammer, players should equip it to Zappa (assuming players recruited him in Home World), and then have Zappa talk to his Another World counterpart. The two of them will talk and Zappa in Another World will learn how to forge the Rainbow equipment. Players should make sure to save up money, find Rainbow Shells, and get Shiny material, which can be found after battle from enemies killed by Summon Elements.
3 Learn The Truth About Dario’s Death
After recruiting Karsh, players can go to Viper Manor (Another World) and go to the easternmost tower on the top floor. Once there, they should push the pillars into the four empty slots so that a chest appears in the center. They'll need to open this chest from behind or risk activating a trapdoor and having to start all over. After opening the chest from behind, a note from Solt and Peppor will tell players to bring Karsh to the Isle of the Damned.
From here, players should head to the Isle with Karsh in the party and confront the brothers, who demand answers about Dario’s death. If players defeat them, Karsh will tell the truth about what happened, and the brothers will give the Memento Pendant to the party. This will be a key item needed later on for getting Riddel’s level 7 Tech and Serge’s Mastermune weapon.
2 Fight Dario In Home World
With Riddel in the party and having the Memento Pendant, players must head to the Forbidden Island in Home World. Riddel will talk to the Dario of this world, finding out he lost his memories. She will show him the Memento Pendant and he will attack the party. Players must defeat him and should make sure to save their game before entering the island because this will be a tough battle.
Upon his defeat, Dario will regain his memories. Serge will receive his ultimate weapon, the Mastermune and Riddel will receive her level 7 Tech, SnakeFangs, as rewards for this victory. The Mastermune is also needed for another side quest, especially if players want Kid back in their party.
1 Save Kid From The Burning Orphanage
After defeating FATE and receiving the Mastermune, players must head to Hermit’s Hideaway in Another World. Here, it is revealed that Kid is in a coma and it doesn’t seem like she's going to wake up. However, the spirits of the Mastermune will recognize Kid and send the party into her dream to save her. This will send the party to a burning orphanage, which Chrono Trigger fans should recognize as Lucca’s House.
As the players go through the house and fight enemies, the other two party members will disappear throughout the journey. Upon reaching the end, Serge will be sent back to the real world, and Kid will wake up and join the party once again.
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is available now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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