Look. Everyone knows the basic loop. You wake up at the Millennial Fair, Lucca’s telepod malfunctions, and suddenly you’re chasing a blue-haired princess through the Middle Ages. But if you’re pulling out the Nintendo DS version specifically, you aren't just playing a port. You're dealing with a version that added a ton of extra baggage—some of it great, some of it honestly a bit of a grind. This Chrono Trigger DS walkthrough isn't going to hold your hand through the "press A to attack" basics. Instead, we’re looking at how to navigate the dual-screen quirks and the exclusive content that makes this version the definitive, if occasionally frustrating, way to experience the RPG.
Most people play through the game and realize too late they missed the Monster Arena or the Dimensional Vortex. It’s annoying.
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The DS version, released back in 2008, brought over the FMV cutscenes from the PlayStation 1 version but ditched the agonizing load times. That’s the big win. But it also stuffed in the "Lost Sanctum" and the "Dimensional Vortex." If you try to tackle these at the wrong time, you’ll burn out. The Lost Sanctum is notorious for back-and-forth fetch quests that feel more like chores than world-saving heroics. You need a plan.
The Early Game: Don't Ignore the Arena of the Ages
Right when you get to the end of the first fair sequence, you might notice a new option. The Arena of the Ages. Most old-school guides won't mention this because it didn't exist in 1995. Basically, you train a monster. It’s a bit like Pokémon but way more passive.
You should start this early. Why? Because you can win high-level items like the Smabbie or even elemental mail way before you're supposed to have them. If you send your monster off to train while you're actually playing the main story, you'll come back to rewards that break the game's difficulty curve in your favor. It’s almost a cheat code, honestly.
Just pick a Smidge and start. Don't overthink it.
When you're actually in the 600 AD segments, remember that the DS touch screen is your best friend for menu management. You can actually move the UI off the main screen entirely. This gives you a clean view of the gorgeous pixel art. It sounds like a small thing, but once you play with a "Clean" interface, going back to the cluttered SNES look feels cramped.
Why 12,000 BC Changes Everything
Once you hit the Kingdom of Zeal, the game shifts gears. This is where most players start searching for a Chrono Trigger DS walkthrough because the choices start to matter.
First off: the Nu in the library. He’s got a secret. If you scratch him in the "back" (there's a specific dialogue prompt), you get a hidden item. But more importantly, the Zeal section is where you find the Sealed Chests. You’ll see these black, shimmering boxes everywhere.
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Pro tip: Do not open them yet.
This is the oldest trick in the book, yet people still mess it up on the DS. If you find a chest in 600 AD, "examine" it but choose not to open it. Then, go to 1000 AD and open it there. The item will have "upgraded" over the centuries. Then—and this is the part people forget—you can actually go back to 600 AD and open it again to get the original version. You're effectively doubling your loot. It works for the Moon Armor, the Valkyrie bow, and the Shiva Edge.
Tackling the Lost Sanctum Without Losing Your Mind
Alright, let's talk about the elephant in the room: The Lost Sanctum. This is the DS-exclusive dungeon that appears in both 65 Million BC and 600 AD.
It’s a slog. I’m being real with you.
It unlocks after you get the Epoch (the flying ship). You’ll see a gate. Entering it starts a series of quests for the Reptites. You’ll spend about three hours running up and down a mountain. The reason you do this isn't for the "riveting" story—it’s for the Valor Crest and the Dragon's Tear. These are some of the best accessories in the game.
- The Valor Crest: Massive crit rate boost for Ayla.
- The Dragon Armors: High defense with elemental absorbs.
The trick to the Lost Sanctum is to group the quests. Don't go back to the village every time you find one thing. Explore the whole map, grab the Golden Hammer, find the Prismastone, and then turn them in. If you do it one by one, the encounter rate will make you want to throw your DS across the room.
The Dimensional Vortex: The Real Ending
Once you beat the game—well, Lavos—the DS version gives you a "Clear Data" save. Load that up. Now, three portals appear in different eras. This is the Dimensional Vortex.
This is where the DS version justifies its existence. You get new dungeons that are mash-ups of existing assets, but at the end of the 12,000 BC vortex, you fight a new boss that bridges the gap between Chrono Trigger and its sequel, Chrono Cross.
If you're looking for the "true" final boss of the DS version, it's the Dream Devourer.
To win this fight, you can’t just spam Luminaire. Magus is actually incredibly useful here because of his elemental versatility. You need to be at least level 60, ideally higher. The boss has an attack that can reduce your HP to 1 instantly. If you haven't stocked up on Megalixirs from the Black Omen, you're done for.
The Best Party Comps for the DS Endgame
Honestly, the "best" party is subjective, but for the new DS content, some characters shine brighter than others.
- Crono/Ayla/Robo: This is the "Triple Kick" squad. High physical damage. If you have the Valor Crest on Ayla, she’s critting for 2k+ constantly.
- Crono/Magus/Marle: Great for the Dimensional Vortex because you have every element covered and Haste for speed.
- Lucca/Robo/Marle: This is the "Double Cure" setup. It’s slow, but you’re basically unkillable.
Most people sleep on Robo. Don’t. Once you finish his sidequest in 2300 AD (the Geno Dome), his Uzzi Punch and Shock attacks become top-tier. Plus, his Heal Beam is the most efficient group heal in the game because it doesn't rely on the "Magic" stat as heavily as Marle’s tech.
Avoiding the "New Game Plus" Trap
The DS version lets you carry over everything. Level, items, even your cat's food. But if you want to see all 13 endings (yes, there are thirteen), you need to be careful about when you fight Lavos.
The easiest way to get the "Developer Ending" is to jump into the right-hand telepod at the very start of a New Game Plus. You’ll fight Lavos with just Crono and Marle. It’s tough, but at level 80, it’s a joke.
The "Dino Age" ending happens if you beat Lavos after getting back from 600 AD but before doing the prehistoric stuff. Each era has a window. Use the bucket at the End of Time to check your progress. If you’re following a Chrono Trigger DS walkthrough to see every ending, the "Event Log" feature in the DS menu is a lifesaver. It literally tells you which ones you've unlocked.
Essential Items You Probably Missed
There are a few things that aren't in the SNES version or are just hard to find.
- The Master's Crown: Found in the Dimensional Vortex. It boosts damage significantly but drains MP. Pair it with a Gold Stud.
- The Dreamseeker: Crono’s best weapon. Better than the Rainbow. You only get this after beating the Dream Devourer. It has a 90% crit rate. It's insane.
- The Angel's Tiara: Best headgear for the girls. Provides Auto-Haste. Found in the Lost Sanctum.
Speaking of Auto-Haste, it is the most important stat in the endgame. The faster your bar fills, the less the enemies can hit you. If you can get a Haste Helm or the Angel's Tiara on everyone, the game becomes a different experience. You aren't reacting; you're dictating the pace.
How to Handle the Black Omen
The Black Omen is the final dungeon, but here’s the secret: you can beat it three times.
Start in 1000 AD. Clear it. Then go to 600 AD. It's still there. Clear it again. Finally, go to 12,000 BC and clear it one last time. This allows you to charm the bosses (using Ayla) for multiple sets of the best armor in the game. You can get three Prism Helms and three Prism Dresses in a single playthrough.
If you just go straight to 12,000 BC and beat it, the Omen disappears in the later eras. You're essentially deleting your own loot. Don't do that.
Final Thoughts on the DS Version
The DS port of Chrono Trigger is a weird beast. It’s the most complete version, but the new content feels a bit "tacked on" compared to the perfection of the original 1995 script. However, if you want the full story—especially the links to the rest of the series—you have to do the Vortex.
The game is masterpiece. It doesn't respect your time in the Lost Sanctum, but it respects your intelligence everywhere else.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough:
- Go to the Arena of the Ages immediately and start a monster's training cycle to snag early-game gear.
- Save your Sealed Chests in the Middle Ages until you've "checked" them in the present day to trigger the item upgrades.
- Focus on Ayla’s Charm tech early; it is the only way to get the best equipment from bosses in the Black Omen.
- Use the DS Touch Screen settings to move the battle commands to the bottom screen, giving you a full, unobstructed view of the boss's animations.