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• 1 2015-06-28T01:26:10-07:00 Photos of the Chrono Trigger PlayStation CD Case and Its Contents 25 Photos of the Chrono Trigger PlayStation CD case and its contents plain 2015-09-07T07:29:14-07:00
  [The following is a complete documentation of all ephemera encased within the PlayStation (PS) re-release of Chrono Trigger. Discrepancies and similarities between physical materials such as guide books, manuals, posters, storage media, and media containers, along with trends — especially between the various video game iterations — will be discussed. Beside each description is a high-quality image of the document in question.]

  General Comments about the Packaging for the PlayStation re-release of Chrono Trigger

  The usage of double disk jewel cases was a trend during the PS era, not only as a marketing ploy, but also as a means to incorporate more ephemera with the video game release. This meant thicker instruction booklets, extra posters, and even registration cards for monthly video game drawings. Both the original and "Greatest Hits" iterations of Chrono Trigger came in these double disk jewel cases.

  About the Version Used in this Project

  Thanks to Greg Philbrook's donation, both releases of this artifact were utilized for the traversal, interview, and further examination of the PS re-release. In particular, the "Greatest Hits" version of the Chrono Trigger PS re-release was used during the traversal for this project. This version — complete with instruction booklet and registration card — was important for the player for the purpose of reviewing game mechanics and controls, as well as gaining a more in-depth knowledge of this iteration as a whole. It was made known to the player which version this was, and the history and culture intrinsically attached to it.

  Original PlayStation CD Case Contents

  ▹ Two CD's, each one featuring one of the video games within the collection: Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger
  
  ▹ One instruction Manual

  PlayStation CD Case, Front

  Contained within a double disk CD jewel case, the front liner features moments from Final Fantasy IV and the new cutscenes inherent to Chrono Trigger's re-release. Towards the bottom, an icon delineates that "2 Discs" are included, and next this information, the publisher's name, "SQUARESOFT ®" is displayed. Along the side is a black bar with the PS logo and brand, as well as a "T" (Teen) ESRB rating.

   

  PlayStation CD Case, Back

  Contained within a double disk CD jewel case, the back liner reads: "IT'S ABOUT TIME. When these games came out, they defined what adventures should be. Since then, they have become the most popular and sought after-titles in history. Now you can experience the re-release of two complete, classic games, enhanced with all-new cinemas and features never before seen in the U.S." Two captions describe the video games: "Chrono Trigger is a re-release of the original game. This time-traveling prequel to Chrono Cross is enhanced with all-new animated scenes," and "Final Fantasy IV was previously released as Final Fantasy II, but has been completely restored with new magic, monsters items, CG cinemas, and added features." Above to each of these captions are images revealing the gameplay of each title. The images in Chrono Trigger are, (from left to right) first an exploration scene (with Crono, Ayla, and Marle) from the Hunting Grounds in the Prehistoric era, and lastly, a scene from the fight against the Giga Gaia (with Marle, Crono, and Lucca) on top of the Mountain of Woe during the 12,000 B.C. era. Below this, information states that Final Fantasy IV can be played with 1 or 2 players and needs one memory card block, while Chrono Trigger can only be played by one individual and requires one memory card block for save-game data. Alongside this, the ESRB rating is specified further: (Teen, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes).

   

  1st CD, Front: "Final Fantasy IV"

  The CD reiterates information from the CD liner including the collection title (Final Fantasy Chronicles), video game title (Final Fantasy  IV), publisher name (SQUARESOFT, "Published by Square Electronic Arts L.L.C."), ESRB rating (Teen), and the PS logo. Towards the bottom, a "Hints and Tips" telephone line is reproduced — with one in the U.S. and another in Canada. The PS logo and the ESRB rating are also holographic.

   

  1st CD, Back: "Final Fantasy IV"

  The back of the CD is a dark blue (commonly referred to as black). This color is what defined the first original PS CD's, helping differentiate it from other personal computer and audio CD's — not to mention ultimately protecting it against illegal copying.

   

  2nd CD, Front: "Chrono Trigger"

  Much like CD One, CD Two reiterates information from the CD liner including the collection title (Final Fantasy Chronicles), video game title (Chrono Trigger), publisher name (SQUARESOFT, "Published by Square Electronic Arts L.L.C."), ESRB rating (Teen), and the PS logo. Towards the bottom, a "Hints and Tips" telephone line is reproduced — with one in the U.S. and another in Canada.

   

  2nd CD, Back: "Chrono Trigger"

  The back of the CD is a dark blue (commonly referred to as black). This color is what defined the first original PS CD's, helping differentiate it from other personal computer and audio CD's — not to mention ultimately protecting it against illegal copying.

   

  "Greatest Hits" Version CD Case Contents (2003)

  ▹ Two CD's, each one featuring one of the video games within the collection: Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger
  
  ▹ One instruction booklet
  
  ▹ One registration card

  PlayStation CD Case, Front

  Contained within a double disk CD jewel case, the front liner is nearly identical to the original release of this collection — with the only discrepancies being a bright green bar along the side with "Greatest Hits" imprinted in red text and updated publisher name "SQUARE ENIX," instead of "SQUARESOFT" (this reflects the merger between Square and Enix in 2003, just a few months earlier).

   

  PlayStation CD Case, Back

  Contained within a double disk CD jewel case, the back liner is very much the same as the original, with a few exceptions: the publisher's name is now located on the left (instead of towards the middle), and is now replaced with "SQUARE ENIX," instead of "SQUARESOFT," and the ESRB rating section is now differentiated and located on the very left.

   

  1st CD, Front: "Final Fantasy IV"

  The CD reiterates the same information found on the first iteration of this collection, except for the re-branding of "SQUARESOFT" to "SQUARE ENIX, www.square-enix.com, Published by Square Enic, Inc." The "Hints and Tips" section is now located above the "COMPACT disc" logo, and has brand new telephone lines for inquiry — it also states that a "major credit card [is] required" for the U.S. Line (which now only offers auto hints whereas before, for $1.35 a minute, live assistance was offered as well). Additionally, a sentence featured around the edge of the CD has been altered from utilizing the name "Interactive Digital Software Association" to "Entertainment Software Association" — delineating the name change that occurred on July 16, 2003 for the video game industry trade association group. Besides this, all text and imagery seems to be printed in a way that is bolder than the original release — not to mention the fact that the PS logo and ESRB rating are not holographic anymore.

   

  1st CD, Back: "Final Fantasy IV"

  The back of the CD is silver, reflecting a new generation of PS CD's that started to emerge after the release of the PS2 on October 26, 2000.

   

  2nd CD, Front: "Chrono Trigger"

  Much like CD One, CD Two reiterates information found on the first iteration of this collection, except for the re-branding of "SQUARESOFT" to "SQUARE ENIX, www.square-enix.com, Published by Square Enix, Inc." The "Hints and Tips" section is now located above the "COMPACT disc" logo, and has brand new telephone lines for inquiry — it also states that a "major credit card [is] required" for the U.S. Line (which now only offers auto hints whereas before, for $1.35 a minute, live assistance was offered as well). Additionally, a sentence featured around the edge of the CD has been altered from utilizing the name "Interactive Digital Software Association" to "Entertainment Software Association" — delineating the name change that occurred on July 16, 2003 for the video game industry trade association group. Besides this, all text and imagery seems to be printed in a way that is bolder than the original release — not to mention the fact that the PS logo and ESRB rating are not holographic anymore.

   

  2nd CD, Back: "Chrono Trigger"

  The back of the CD is silver, reflecting a new generation of PS CD's that started to emerge after the release of the PS2 on October 26, 2000.

   

  PlayStation Instruction Manual, Front

  The front cover is bland in comparison to the SNES instruction booklet, with only the logos of the collection utilized (in order of how they were packaged — with Final Fantasy IV above Chrono Trigger). A bright green band (much like the one used on the CD liner) is also present, marking this manual as part of the "Greatest Hits" version.

   

  PlayStation Instruction Manual, Back

  The reverse side features an advertisement for the "Greatest Hits" version of Final Fantasy X (originally released on the PS2 in 2001).

   

  PlayStation Instruction Manual, Contents

  When examined further, this instruction manual is very bland in comparison to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Nintendo Dual Screen (NDS) booklets. All of the pages are in grayscale with very few supporting images. The manual first starts with Final Fantasy IV's guide and then follows up with Chrono Trigger's. Separating the two guides, is a registration card (which is examined down below). As a general note, the manual utilizes imagery from the newly created cutscenes featured in the PS re-release of Chrono Trigger. The descriptions, although detailed, are not nearly as explicit as the SNES instruction manual (see SNES Photos).

   

  PlayStation Registration Card, Front

  The card features a gray textured background along with perforations for folding the piece of paper upon mailing it. The right side of the card bears, in order, the Final Fantasy Chronicles, Final Fantasy IV, and Chrono Trigger logos. Towards the center, postage information is printed: "Square Enix U.S.A., Inc., P.O. Box 6000, Clear Lake, MN 55319, USA," alongside a "PLACE POSTAGE HERE" area. On the left, Square Enix's logo is visible as well.

   

  PlayStation Registration Card, Back

  The reverse side of the registration card reveals the survey portion: "Fill out this card and return it to be entered in our monthly drawing. You could win a cool game!" The survey asks for personal information as well as the question, "Which Square Enix games do you own?" Below this are a total of 45 Square Enix video games — including Chrono Trigger's sequel, Chrono Cross — with boxes next to each of them. Two boxes below state in bold type, "Check this box if you do not wish to be contacted by Square Enix U.S.A." and, "Check this box if you do not wish to be contacted by Square Enix U.S.A.'s business partners." On the left side of the card, at the top, is information about customer support: "For customer support and technical support questions, you can call (310) 846-0345. Representatives are available Monday-Friday 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm, Pacific Standard Time." Below is another mention of the "Game Tips" telephone line (which is reiterated from the CD's). Lastly, fine print is produced concerning the registration card: "No further purchase necessary. Each card qualifies for one monthly drawing. Two winners per month. Please fill in all information, or include all information on a 3x5 card and mail to: Square Enix U.S.A., Inc., P.O. Box 6000, Clear Lake, MN 55319. One entry per person. Drawing to take place on or about the last day of each month. Winner will be notified by mail within 30 days of drawing. This contest void in Washington, Missouri, Florida, Ohio, and other places where prohibited. Square Enix U.S.A., Inc., reverses the right to determine the actual game, subject to availability. This contest may be terminated without notice. Sony Computer Entertainment America takes no responsibility for this offer."

   

  Additional PlayStation Re-release Artifacts

  The following are a number of guides that were available to players at the time of Chrono Trigger's PS re-release. They have been compiled in Adobe PDF files down below. Please allow adequate time for the files to download.

  ▹ Official Chrono Trigger Strategy Guide (2001) (pdf, 41.5 MB)
  
  ▹ Official Final Fantasy IV Strategy Guide (2001) (pdf, 31.5 MB)

• 1 2015-06-28T01:26:01-07:00 Playstation Re-Release 9 Opening page for Playstation re-release plain 163115 2016-01-19T09:38:04-08:00
• 1 2015-07-28T03:40:17-07:00 Anime Aesthetic 6 Contains information regarding the anime aesthetic featured in the PS version of Chrono Trigger plain 2015-08-05T21:42:29-07:00
  In regards to the anime aesthetic, virtually all assets were preserved between the North American Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) iteration and the subsequent PlayStation (PS) re-release of Chrono Trigger. Character artwork still evoked a resemblance to Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball, while scenery and sprite animations held true to their original source. The same can be said between the Japanese and North American PS re-releases, as each one retains the same anime elements from before — even with the new introduction of anime cutscenes (animated video clips) that comprise more than ten minutes of extra content for the Japanese or North American player.
  

  The only difference concerning these localizations is the branding shift for the North American PS iteration. Earlier, the SNES box cover art of Chrono Trigger in North America featured an aggressive battle scene with the characters Crono, Frog, and Marle (see SNES Anime Aesthetic). However, now that Chrono Trigger was bundled with a re-release of Final Fantasy IV, more accurate cover art needed to be implemented. This resulted in the usage of the contemporary cutscenes now featured in both video games, with Final Fantasy IV’s depiction above Chrono Trigger’s.
   
  The three scenes displayed are of Ayla fighting reptites, Crono and Frog standing in the rain, and Magus atop some cliffs. Although not as pronounced as the SNES box cover art, this rendition features Ayla (who is an inherently sexualized character due to her appearance), a hostile fight between herself and a reptite, and a depiction of Crono in the center of the cover art, not to mention a dark silhouette (later discovered to be Magus) holding a menacing sickle. These qualities follow the patterns of a “masculine-coded space” — a concept previously mentioned that includes renditions of “hypersexualized and objectified women, aggressive men, and signs relating to violence or war.”¹ What is interesting, however, is the fact that Ayla is in the aggressive position, as well as not in a supportive role (which is most commonly given and attributed to females). Intentional or not, this cover art accurately depicts Ayla’s “alien” behavior and personality when compared to Guardia’s gender norms (see SNES Gender Norms).
   

  All in all, this branding distinction was only present in the North American localization, with the Japanese PS re-release retaining the already iconic image of Crono and his friends standing together as one. However, even this discrepancy stays true to the nature of the anime aesthetic — featuring stylized characters and scenes that tie into the original artwork — and as such, this indicates that the anime style in Chrono Trigger was effectively preserved, even during migration to a newer console, with Japanese culture being authentically articulated to North American gaming communities.
  
  
  Works Cited:
  
  [1] Near, Christopher E. "Selling Gender: Associations of Box Art Representation of Female Characters With Sales for Teen- and Mature-rated Video Games." Sex Roles 68.3-4 (2013): 252-69. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web. 27 July 2015.