Yuji Horii just accidentally confirmed what every JRPG fan has been begging for since 1995. During his KosoKoso Hōsō Kyoku talk show livestream on November 30, the Dragon Quest creator and Chrono Trigger supervisor was asked directly whether all the recent 30th anniversary celebrations are hinting at a remake. His response? A panicked “I can’t talk about that” followed immediately by “Wait, if I say that, you’ll figure it out!” and “I’ll get in trouble!” The entire panel burst out laughing while fans watching realized they’d just witnessed the gaming industry’s worst poker face.
How Horii Accidentally Spilled Everything
The moment happened when the talk show interviewer mentioned being curious about all the “buzz” surrounding Chrono Trigger and whether it was “foreshadowing” something bigger. When Horii asked what she meant, fellow panelist Kazuhiko Torishima (a former Shonen Jump editor) rattled off recent Chrono Trigger projects like character popularity polls and orchestral concerts scheduled for January 2026.
After acknowledging the concerts would happen next year, Horii was directly asked if there would be any franchise developments after these celebrations. That’s when everything fell apart. His immediate response of “I can’t talk about that” was followed by visible panic as he realized what he’d just implied. The flustered comments that followed only made things worse: “Don’t ask!”, “Asking is off-limits!”, and the damning “I’ll get in trouble!”
Before the panel moved on, Torishima delivered the killing blow with a cheeky “There’s something,” signaling his belief that a remake is definitely happening. The entire exchange lasted less than a minute but gave fans more hope than any official announcement could have provided.
Why This Year Feels Different
Square Enix has been celebrating Chrono Trigger’s 30th anniversary with unusual intensity for a game that hasn’t received new content in decades. The company marked the actual anniversary date of March 11, 2025 with social media posts promising “various” Chrono Trigger-related projects throughout the year. Since then, fans have received a steady stream of content that feels suspiciously coordinated.
The 30th anniversary celebrations include:
- Official character popularity poll where Frog claimed first place, beating protagonist Crono
- Orchestral concerts scheduled for January 17-18, 2026 at Tokyo International Forum with Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
- Piano arrangement album featuring character themes released throughout the year
- Best track poll letting fans vote on favorite musical pieces
- Official music livestreams featuring the complete soundtrack
- Art panel giveaways showcasing Akira Toriyama’s iconic character designs
- Multiple arrangement albums celebrating the legendary Yasunori Mitsuda score
None of these events alone would spark remake speculation. Together, however, they form a pattern Square Enix has followed before. The Final Fantasy VII 25th anniversary and Dragon Quest 40th anniversary both preceded major remake announcements. The company is building anticipation through controlled nostalgia, letting fans remember why they loved Chrono Trigger before revealing what comes next.
The HD-2D Connection Nobody Can Ignore
Square Enix has spent the past few years perfecting its HD-2D visual style, a technique blending pixel art characters with modern 3D environments and lighting. The approach first appeared in Octopath Traveler, then refined through Triangle Strategy, Live A Live, and most recently the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake that launched in 2024.
Here’s the crucial detail: Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger share DNA. Yuji Horii served as supervisor for Chrono Trigger alongside Dragon Quest artist Akira Toriyama and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, forming what fans called the “Dream Team.” With Dragon Quest I, II, and III all receiving HD-2D remakes in 2024 and 2025, Square Enix has already created asset libraries, development pipelines, and technical solutions that could easily transfer to Chrono Trigger.
The style fits Chrono Trigger perfectly. The original used SNES Mode 7 effects for scaling and rotation that modern HD-2D techniques could recreate beautifully. Environments like the Prehistoric era, Medieval Kingdom of Guardia, futuristic 2300 AD, and the magical Kingdom of Zeal would look stunning with modern lighting and particle effects while preserving the pixel art characters that defined the original aesthetic.
Leakers claimed as far back as 2023 that Square Enix had already completed significant work on a Chrono Trigger remake. While these rumors lacked official confirmation, they align perfectly with the timeline. If development started after Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake wrapped, the team would have had over two years to build something substantial by now.
What Fans Actually Want From a Remake
The Chrono Trigger community remains deeply divided about what a remake should look like. Some fans want a complete reimagining like Final Fantasy VII Remake, expanding the story with new content and modern action combat. Others demand a faithful recreation that only updates visuals and quality of life features, preserving the turn-based Active Time Battle system and original script.
The HD-2D approach represents a middle ground that could satisfy both camps. By maintaining 2D pixel art sprites in 3D environments, Square Enix can preserve the original gameplay while modernizing presentation. The Dragon Quest III remake demonstrated this philosophy, keeping classic turn-based combat while adding gorgeous visuals and improved UI.
Critical features fans expect include:
- Original Yasunori Mitsuda soundtrack with option for orchestral arrangements
- Preserved New Game Plus system allowing players to carry over equipment and levels
- Multiple endings based on when players defeat final boss Lavos
- Tech system letting characters combine attacks for devastating special moves
- Time travel mechanics remaining core to puzzle solving and story progression
- Character development through side quests rather than mandatory story beats
What fans don’t want is another Chrono Cross situation. The 1999 sequel featured over 40 recruitable characters with minimal development, a convoluted plot that barely connected to the original, and a revelation that beloved Chrono Trigger characters died off-screen in a house fire. That game serves as a cautionary tale about straying too far from what made the original special.
Why Square Enix Has Taken So Long
Chrono Trigger has been ported to PlayStation 1, Nintendo DS, iOS, Android, and PC over the years, but these versions ranged from adequate to disastrous. The mobile ports suffered from ugly UI elements and poor touch controls. The PC version launched with graphical filters that made the beautiful pixel art look muddy and washed out before patches eventually fixed the issues.
These botched ports might explain Square Enix’s hesitation. The company knows any Chrono Trigger remake will be scrutinized by one of gaming’s most passionate fanbases. Getting it wrong could damage the legacy of what many consider the greatest JRPG ever made. The game holds a 95 Metacritic score from its original 1995 release, appears on countless “best games of all time” lists, and sold over 2.65 million copies during the SNES era when JRPGs were niche products in the West.
The development talent required also creates challenges. Yasunori Mitsuda composed the legendary soundtrack. Akira Toriyama designed the iconic characters before his death in 2024. Hironobu Sakaguchi directed alongside Yoshinori Kitase and Takashi Tokita. Reassembling comparable talent 30 years later isn’t simple, especially with key contributors no longer available.
Square Enix also faced internal priorities. The company spent years developing Final Fantasy XV, Kingdom Hearts III, and Final Fantasy VII Remake – massive projects that consumed resources. Only recently has the HD-2D team matured enough to tackle something as significant as Chrono Trigger with the reverence it deserves.
What Happens Next
If Horii’s comments are accurate and Square Enix has been quietly working on a Chrono Trigger remake, the orchestral concerts in January 2026 provide a perfect announcement opportunity. The company could reveal the project during the Tokyo performances, generating massive publicity while celebrating the music that defined the original game.
The timing works from a business perspective too. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake launched in November 2024. Dragon Quest VII Remake arrives in February 2025. Announcing Chrono Trigger afterward would maintain Square Enix’s momentum with classic JRPG remakes while giving the development team time to polish before release.
A 2026 or early 2027 launch would coincide with the 30th anniversary celebration period, which Square Enix typically treats as March 11, 2025 through March 11, 2026 based on the original Japanese release date. Missing that window might mean waiting another five or ten years for the 35th or 40th anniversary.
FAQs
What did Yuji Horii say about a Chrono Trigger remake?
During a November 30, 2025 livestream, Yuji Horii responded to questions about a Chrono Trigger remake with “I can’t talk about that,” immediately adding “Wait, if I say that, you’ll figure it out!” and “I’ll get in trouble!” His flustered response strongly implied a remake is in development.
Who is Yuji Horii and what is his connection to Chrono Trigger?
Yuji Horii is the creator of the Dragon Quest series and served as supervisor and scenario writer for the original Chrono Trigger in 1995. He worked alongside Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and artist Akira Toriyama as part of the “Dream Team” that developed the game.
When are the Chrono Trigger 30th anniversary orchestral concerts?
The Chrono Trigger Orchestra Concert performances are scheduled for January 17-18, 2026 at Tokyo International Forum Hall A. The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the music with conductor Nicholas Buc, accompanied by screens displaying famous game scenes.
What is HD-2D and why does it work for Chrono Trigger?
HD-2D is Square Enix’s visual style blending pixel art characters with modern 3D environments and lighting effects. It works perfectly for Chrono Trigger because it can preserve the original’s iconic sprite-based characters while modernizing backgrounds and special effects, similar to Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake.
Who won the Chrono Trigger character popularity poll?
Frog claimed first place in Square Enix’s official Japanese character popularity poll conducted between September 19 and October 5, 2025. The protagonist Crono finished second, with the robot Robo taking third place.
Has Square Enix officially announced a Chrono Trigger remake?
No, Square Enix has not officially announced a Chrono Trigger remake as of December 2024. However, Yuji Horii’s comments, combined with extensive 30th anniversary celebrations and the success of Dragon Quest HD-2D remakes, strongly suggest an announcement may be coming in 2026.
What platforms could a Chrono Trigger remake release on?
Based on Square Enix’s recent HD-2D releases, a Chrono Trigger remake would likely launch on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC simultaneously. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake followed this multi-platform approach.
Conclusion
Yuji Horii’s panicked non-denial represents the strongest evidence yet that a Chrono Trigger remake is happening. Combined with an unprecedented year of 30th anniversary celebrations, orchestral concerts scheduled for January 2026, and Square Enix’s proven success with HD-2D remakes of Dragon Quest, all signs point toward an announcement within the next few months. The only question remaining is whether Square Enix can deliver a remake worthy of one of gaming’s most beloved masterpieces. The company has the technology, the development experience, and the perfect timing. After 30 years of ports that ranged from mediocre to terrible, fans finally have legitimate hope that Chrono Trigger will receive the premium treatment it deserves. Whether that announcement comes during the Tokyo concerts or at a major gaming event in 2026, Horii’s flustered livestream comments have already accomplished what Square Enix couldn’t – they’ve made believers out of a fanbase that had almost given up hope.