According to Wccftech, Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii, who also worked as a writer on the 1995 SNES classic Chrono Trigger, was asked on November 30, 2024, about the game’s 30th Anniversary projects possibly hinting at a remake. Horii’s response was a cryptic refusal to comment, stating he “cannot say anything about the matter” and that he “shouldn’t be asked about it.” This non-denial follows a similar incident in May 2024, where a translation error from Horii’s appearance at the Napoli Comicon sparked rumors of an HD-2D style overhaul being considered. The game, last ported to DS, PC, and mobile with new content, remains one of the most requested remakes in gaming.
The Art of the Non-Denial
Here’s the thing about the video game industry: outright denials are easy. A simple “No, that’s not happening” shuts down speculation cold. But a weird, lawyerly dodge like “don’t ask me about that”? That’s pure fuel for the hype machine. It’s the kind of answer that suggests there is something to ask about, but the person is under a very specific NDA or just doesn’t have the authority to spill the beans. Horii isn’t some random developer; he’s a legend. He knows his words have weight. So choosing not to deny it is, in its own weird way, more telling than a confirmation. It basically tells fans, “Keep hoping, because I can’t tell you to stop.”
What A Remake Could Actually Be
Now, let’s temper expectations. When fans hear “remake,” they often dream of a full, top-to-bottom modern reimagining like Final Fantasy VII Remake. But that’s probably not in the cards for a game with such a fractured ownership history between Square Enix and the involved creators. The more realistic rumor, hinted at back in May, is an “HD-2D” overhaul. Think the gorgeous style of Octopath Traveler or the Live A Live remake. That approach modernizes the presentation while keeping the classic sprite-based soul intact. It’s a safer, more respectful bet. And given that Chrono Cross already got its Radical Dreamers Edition remaster in 2022, it feels like Square Enix is at least poking around that era of their catalog again.
Why This Game Won’t Die
So why does this rumor keep coming back every few months? Because Chrono Trigger is that good. It’s a perfect storm of talent—Horii, Hironobu Sakaguchi, and Akira Toriyama all on one project—that we’ll never see again. Its multiple endings, tight pacing, and lack of random encounters made it feel decades ahead of its time. The demand isn’t just nostalgia; it’s a genuine desire for new players to experience a masterpiece without wrestling with dated interfaces or graphics. The existing ports are fine, but they’re just that—ports. A proper, lovingly crafted remake or even a significant remaster feels like an event waiting to happen. The question isn’t really “if,” but “when” and “how.” And based on Horii’s squirmy answer, maybe “when” is closer than we think.
