When it comes to PlayStation 1 RPGs, Chrono Cross is easily one of the most beloved. Despite this, Chrono Cross has remained trapped on the PlayStation 1 since launch, with Square Enix failing to re-release or remaster the game. That will change in April, as it's been officially announced that a Chrono Cross remaster is launching for the Nintendo Switch in the form of Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.
As announced during the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition launches April 7 for the Nintendo Switch. It's an HD remaster of the original Chrono Cross game with modern enhancements. Like other modern releases of Square Enix RPGs, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition will let players turn off enemy encounters if they just want to focus on the story, plus it will have a "newly enhanced soundtrack." Other improvements are teased in the announcement video, but they have yet to be detailed.
In addition to the expansive base game, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition will also include the text-based Stellaview game Radical Dreamers, which has some direct story connections to Chrono Cross. The inclusion of Radical Dreamers is likely pretty exciting for hardcore Chrono Cross fans, as this marks the first time that it's been available outside of Japan.
There are some lingering questions about the Chrono Cross HD remaster. For example, it's unclear if the game will be coming to platforms other than the Nintendo Switch. Chrono Cross has been an original PlayStation exclusive for decades at this point, so it would be strange if the HD version is only going to be available for a Nintendo platform. It's entirely possible that it will come to more platforms on its April 7 launch day, but it's also possible that fans will have to wait a little longer to play it on other consoles. Fans can only speculate until Square Enix offers clarification on that front.
This is not the full-blown Chrono Cross remake that some fans were hoping for, but it's certainly better than having the game remain trapped on the original PlayStation. It will be interesting to learn about the full scope of its enhancements and everything else it brings to the table. Presumably, Square Enix will have more to reveal about the Chrono Cross HD remaster as we near its April release date.
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition will launch April 7 for Nintendo Switch.