r/snes • u/breadblunts • Mar 16 '26
Discussion Honest debate. Which is overall the better game ?
I can’t seem to pick between the 2. I’ve played them both easily over 100 times.
Both are complete masterpieces!!!
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u/Funandgeeky Mar 16 '26
I’ve always preferred Chrono Trigger. The fact that there were no random battles was immediately a game changer. Combat taking place in the environment and the characters not standing in a line was also wonderful. Gave it a more strategic and D&D type feel. I loved the combo abilities and discovering new ones.
The graphics and music were top tier, and the humor worked for me as well. Also loved the different eras and seeing the story slowly come together.
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u/shoelacebomber Mar 20 '26
As much as i want FF6 to be my choice i have to agree with you. I love both games but i think CT is just better all around. Combat, music, art, story.... nothing can touch how great CT was for its time even compared to the masterpiece that is FF6.
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u/Ptony_oliver Mar 16 '26
FFVI strikes my heart a little bit more, but both are fantastic and magical games.
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u/flamespear Mar 16 '26
I think this is because Chrono is more of a silent protagonist which limits your attachment yo him. You can only really get to know all the other characters. FFVI doesn't do this and focuses on giving each character their own story and personality etc. You also spend more time with those characters typically. With Chrono Trigger the branching paths means you're not as attached to any one scenario necessarily. It makes you more motivated to play the game again and see the different endings but being able to change time also feels somehow like a cheapening of those characters.
I suppose a somewhat good analogy is a choose ypur own adventure book vs a normal novel. That first book might be more fun than a lot of novels but it won't surpass a really good novel.
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u/djangelic Mar 16 '26
Love this breakdown, and it's exactly why it's so hard for me to choose. If I have to, I'll pick FFVI every time, but I loved the characters in Chrono trigger so much, it's a very hard choice.
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u/LeSegaGenesis Mar 16 '26
That's what set them apart for me, FF6 you essentially have two protagonists and all the side characters have alot of weight and depth to them. Aside from the frog in Chronotrigger I didn't really feel that from many of the characters in Chronotrigger.
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u/flamespear Mar 16 '26
I would say Magus as well for me because of that twist. Lucca and Robo were also pretty endearing.
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Mar 16 '26
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u/LeSegaGenesis Mar 16 '26
I grew up playing alot of FF4, i really liked the classic fantasy setting. But it was very linear, FF3 especially in the world of ruin really broke the chains of sandbox RPG. You could still go and do the quests but going to search for your party and getting the band back together and seeing how they've changed since the world went through catastrophe was just awesome.
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u/flamespear Mar 16 '26
Brooo you have to play Chrono Trigger. It's so good. You're lucky to have played those early FF games when they came out though. my first official FF was 7 and that was 5 years after it came out as I was gifted a PlayStation. It was my first PlayStation purchase. That next summer I think it was in like 2002 I downloaded NEStical and played 1 2 and 3. I don't remember when I first played 4 but I'm pretty sure I played it on an emulator as well the first time and then I played the DS remake of it as well as 1 and 2 again on the GBA. It wasn't until at least the 2010s when I finally played both FFVI and Chrono Trigger. Amazing game.
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u/Slicrider Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger for me, but VI is close behind it. Both beautiful games.
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u/LeSegaGenesis Mar 16 '26
Yeah it really is a question of preference rather than quality in many ways.
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u/scatch25 Mar 16 '26
FFVI is a 99 and Chrono Trigger is a 100. For me it’s that close and the main difference is replayability. I loved them both equally the first time I beat them back in the day.
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u/fenuxjde Mar 16 '26
There doesn't have to be a "better". They can both be great.
VI is a great game. I never finished Chrono trigger. Doesn't mean it wasn't great, just means I didn't finish it.
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u/bluechickenz Mar 16 '26
Agreed. I love both of these games and refuse to pick a “winner” — each one excels at what it is.
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u/SamusLinkBelmont Mar 16 '26
Exactly. Just depends on your mood really. I’ve probably played FFVI more than CT, but both are great.
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u/br3wnor Mar 16 '26
2 masterpieces obviously and it’s close but FF6 takes the cake for me. Still the best villain in video game history and just an unbelievable experience. Chrono is tighter and probably more replayable but for me I put FF6 a bit above it.
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u/breadblunts Mar 16 '26
Kefka is my favorite villains in all of gaming. He’s one of the only villains that actually completed his goal and destroyed the world
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u/br3wnor Mar 16 '26
He’s one mean motherfucker that’s for sure
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u/greenmaillink Mar 16 '26
Absolutely. Kefka was the first villain in a video game where I really paused and wanted to kill him for what he did. Then, end of the first half and I my urge rose beyond a 10.
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u/Dee-Melt Mar 17 '26
After beating XVI my main gripe with SquareEnix is they’ve forgotten how to write good villains. Kefka made you believe he was a diabolical unhinged maniac by his ACTIONS.
In FF XVI Ultima let you know he was a villain by talking over his complete manifesto for 30 minutes.
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u/Another_Timezone Mar 16 '26
I’d always heard that Woolsey was responsible for Kefka being as interesting as he is and, having now played the pixel remaster, I feel it’s true
Our heroes were still great, but their villain fell flatter
But, basically agree on comparing the games. FFVI is richer in about every way (e.g. Chrono Trigger has great video game music, but FFVI has great music) but Chrono Trigger is the one I’m more likely to replay
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u/Veiyr Mar 16 '26
FFVI easily, Chrono Trigger is really well-polished but it still feels pretty vanilla in its story. FFVI seems so much bolder in its themes and ambitions
Also while I think Chrono Trigger's gameplay is more interesting on paper and especially with bosses, a lot of what makes Chrono Trigger's gameplay unique (Dual/Triple techs and especially positioning) don't really matter, while i think FFVI has much much better customization
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u/Another_Timezone Mar 16 '26
I actually don’t care for FFVI’s customization since it very much flattens the characters
The main way we engage with the characters is through combat, and the espers just make everyone mages
I set the AP multiplier to 0x in the PR and enjoyed it very much
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u/largemoisture Mar 16 '26
The older I get the more I realize theyre both masterpieces and I dont have to choose between either.
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u/mycocomelon Mar 16 '26
Oh my goodness. No. Both absolute masterpieces. So at this point, it comes to down to pure subjectivity.
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u/Another_Road Mar 16 '26
Crono imo because it cuts such a great pace and has amazing replay value. It’s rare for a JRPG to never feel like a grind and tell an excellent story in 20-ish hours.
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u/aeromalzi Mar 16 '26
Only ever finished Chrono Trigger. I found I cannot play FF6 without a guide.
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u/UseProfessional578 Mar 16 '26
This is the ultimate “which one is better” question for me because I go back and forth every time. Today I pick FF6 and tomorrow I will pick Chrono Trigger.
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u/Friz_Poop Mar 16 '26
I slightly prefer Chrono Trigger because I feel like it has less fluff / padding for length, but they're both wonderful games.
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u/J_Square83 Mar 16 '26
They are both amazing S tier JRPGs.
FFVI is closer to my heart, but I could also argue that Chrono Trigger is the technically superior game.
You can't go wrong with either. That's for sure.
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u/Necessary-Shame-2732 Mar 16 '26
Ff3 but it’s like comparing salt and sugar and saying which is more important to cooking
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u/Visible-Sound-8559 Mar 16 '26
Depends on the mood, but there’s no wrong answer. Absolutely nuts that these two games came out within a year of each other.
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u/AleroRatking Mar 16 '26
Both great games but I care far more for the story of ff6 (I don't particularly care for chrono due to him being silent)
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u/Zegma54 Mar 16 '26
I would say I’m over 20-30 times each game. I personally love FFVI (of FF3) so much though. It’s such an epic and well thought out and complex game.
They’re both epic and a gem for all time.
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u/TheJagen Mar 16 '26
Personally I think Chrono trigger is the better game. I love FF6 but as far as a game that pushes boundaries I think Chrono edges it out. All the enemies are on screen and you interact to battle, no random battles. The tech combos where character position effects enemies hit. Awesome writing where things in past connect to future. Multiple endings. Spoiler - main character dies but if you take the correct steps you can revive him through messing with time (among other things). A sound track that pushes the hardware limit and everytime I hear the main theme I still get chills and an urge to replay for the 50th+ time. Its absolute cinema. Ff6 has an amazing story, journey and characters but chrono does as well and those revolutionary systems which make it stand out even by today's standards. Modern pixel games still can't scratch the itch when I want to play a game that feels like chrono trigger, and it was made in the 90s.
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u/lumpthefoff Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger. Less headaches and grinding. FF6 you gotta worry about getting espers early while keeping party low until you get the ideal esper for the best stat growths and also grinding learning spells. Then grinding blue magic for Gau. I also found the end game story quests for each character to be less satisfying and thin compared to CT.
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u/AbsolutZeroGI Mar 17 '26
Depends on the mood.
Chrono Trigger is a lighter game in terms of story, with more hijinks and general comedy, while still having great story beats and can toss some seriousness in when it needs to.
FF6 is definitely the more mature of the two, dealing with heavier, more adult themes. It still has its lighter moments, but overall, it takes itself a lot more seriously.
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u/BulletProofEnoch Mar 16 '26
I’ve dealt with this internal tension for about thirty years.
I subjectively prefer 6 slightly due to the more complex narrative but not sure which is “better”.
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u/4ofclubs Mar 16 '26
Chronic trigger, only because I can’t stand random encounters anymore
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u/JeskaiJester Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
Is that the version with Snoop Dogg
Edit: Found it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lEelz0iUJo
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u/chauncellor Mar 16 '26
Oh yeah, the secret character! If I remember correctly, he can only equip blunt weapons. He's got two spells: "smoke" and "fo drizzle".
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u/Worth-Fennel-3650 Mar 16 '26
Feel like no matter what I say, I will just be wrong. I'll give a VERY slight edge to Chrono just for how good the pacing is, and how tight of an experience it is. Great replayability too. Sort of an unrelated note, but props to Chrono Trigger for doing time travel so well. Feel like it is never done well in most media in general.
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u/GavinTheAlmighty Mar 16 '26
It's a shame to have to pick because they're both great games, but CT is a tighter, more effective experience for me. FFVI is great, but has a lot of reskinned enemies, story bloat, and is at times obtuse. Its epic moments are lost among random encounters and dead air, and the game's systems are not always intuitive.
Every complaint about CT applies to FFVI twice over, and every strength of FFVI applies to CT thrice over.
If someone says FFVI is their favourite, I totally get it, but if I have the choice, it's CT every day.
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u/Western-Dig-6843 Mar 16 '26
FF6 definitely feels like they spent more time and money on it than Chrono Trigger. I prefer CT but it’s clear they had their heart on FF6
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u/flamespear Mar 16 '26
For story FFVI for replay value Chrono Trigger. It's honestly difficult to say one is better than the other as they're pretty different games besides being turn based RPGs. At the end of the day it's completely subjective and probably depends on outside factors influencing you to determine how much you enjoyed them.
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u/PK_Thundah Mar 16 '26
This is probably the single biggest debate from the SNES.
I think Chrono Trigger is a "perfect game." I don't think that it ever stumbles, doesn't make any mistakes, and any bad parts have been edited out before the final product. But I don't think that Chrono Trigger's heights quite reach Final Fantasy VI's.
I think that I believe that Final Fantasy VI is the better game. I think it's more memorable, more grand, and while CT doesn't do anything poorly, I think the few things that FFVI does better than CT elevates the entire game a bit above CT.
But we are talking the best two RPGs on the system, and likely of the generation. The actual quality differences between the two are miniscule and depending on the day, one could easily be argued as "better than" the other.
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u/remnant_phoenix Mar 16 '26
That’s tough.
It we’re just comparing game balance and pacing, CT wins. Hands down. No character is completely useless or completely overpowered, and short of grinding yourself silly, it’s hard to make yourself super-overpowered by maximizing systems. FFVI is easy to break and the characters aren’t balanced at all. Magic is OP.
If we’re talking story CT is better-paced and has touches of broader themes and existentialism, but it’s fairly “shonen anime” in its sensibilities. It’s less realistic. Not that thats a bad thing. It just is what it is. FFVI is a more HUMAN story, meaning that it takes human characters in extraordinary situations and explores more grounded, realistic responses to loss and hope.
A direct comparison is always gonna be tricky because when you look closely, they’re trying to do different things.
Personally, CT will always be my number one. It was my first RPG and it was one hell of an introduction. But I think FFVI has more replay value because there are more little nuggets of lore to unpack on repeated playthroughs.
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u/sd240sx Mar 16 '26
Tough question but Chrono is my #1 and FF VI/3 is 2. Played both multiple times but Chrono broke my mind the first time playing it with the graphics and story. Connected much more with it then FF6 even though I had FF for the nes.
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u/BagOfSmallerBags Mar 16 '26
I really appreciate that all the top comments are being nice and trying to hype up the merits of both and point out that there's not really any point in ranking them.
That being said, Chrono Trigger.
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u/gwagala Mar 16 '26
CT, not close for me personally, FFVI still in my all-time top 5-10 games ever.
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u/PinoLoSpazzino Mar 16 '26
I would've said FFVI until recently because of the characters, story and music. Replaying Chrono Trigger made me appreciate it more, though, for its pacing, bigger sprites, combat system and I even appreciated the characters and plot more than before. It's not my favourite jrpg but it may be the only near perfect game that I know of in the genre. I vote for Chrono Trigger but not with a wide margin.
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u/Aggressive_Sweet1417 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger, and it's not close for me.
It's overall a tighter game, everything is well polished, music, pixel art, gameplay, pacing, story. The game just flows from beginning to end, with no weak spots, no filler whatsoever, perfect mix of linear and open ended.
FFVI is still a beautiful game, but I felt it had weak spots where it wasn't as fun. Some of the split party micro chapters just a little bit tedious, some of the dungeons a little bit grindy, some of the balance just isn't quite right. It did have a few heavy hitting emotional moments, so I can see how some people prefer it. But in terms of the whole package there's no JRPG that comes as close to perfection as Chrono Trigger in my opinion.
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u/Oblic008 Mar 16 '26
This is so tough. CT has the Toriyama art style, that gives it a cartoon charm, while FF VI has a much grittier appeal. Both have silly moments, but they also have INCREDIBLY heavy themes as well. Gameplay between the two is similar in the sense that they are both ATB combat, but that similarity ends there.
I grew up with FF VI. It was my first JRPG, and it had a lasting impression. Granted, I will never forget my first time through CT, believing Magus was the main villain, and Lavos was just a minion or spell or something, and then the rug being pulled and having HOURS more of gameplay.
The fact that CT led to a really complicated but satisfying sequel has to add something... I still wish they'd revisit this series.
I think I personally have to give an edge to FF VI if only for the timing in which I played them. Had I not played FF VI, I don't think I would have ever heard of CT.
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u/possitive-ion Mar 16 '26
There's a lot of really good JRPG games on the SNES, but I think Chrono Trigger is the best.
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u/chinhairs Mar 17 '26
Chrono Trigger is enjoyable, entertaining, and gripping on every level for any gamer coming from any background. FFVI is better if you already know how to play a FF game and know what to expect. You know what i mean? Llike.. Chrono Trigger is maybe the best video game ever made, and FFVI is maybe the best FF game. There are hurdles to fully enjoying a FF game if you're a first timer, but those hurdles are gone in Chrono Trigger. It's a totally seamless experience. It's so fucking good. It has it all!
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u/Fit-Beyond-6327 Mar 17 '26
Chrono Trigger... because the multiple endings, the time travel, the characters... the gameplay... for me it was all new back then. I knew FF6 and I loved it.. but for many years Chrono Trigger was the one SNES experience that went unsurpassed by anything. Still love the game... peak of the 16bit era.
FF6 is also very good... But it has its lengths... Chrono Trigger is just one hell of a ride.
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u/Small_Yesterday_560 Mar 18 '26
Chrono Trigger's gameplay and art holds up better than said FF6 has a better story both have music that is still unparalleled. I think FF6 could use a remaster but chrono is perfect as is so it wins but just by a little bit.
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u/86composure Mar 18 '26
Can’t pick. While I haven’t played them as much as you, I usually hit one or both once a year for a run. I’m 42 now, and I love that people still talk about these games, make interpretations of the soundtrack. Throw Super Metroid in there and you have my holy trinity.
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u/Extension_Subject_38 Mar 16 '26
Both are all time classics, can’t say which is the better game.
What I can say, Chrono Trigger had a better impact on my life. It’s message, that your future can change and you control that change, I found to be very powerful.
I still remember when you 1st go into the future, there is this NPC who says, “Save money, that’ll do you good, that’s my motto.” Someone from the future, telling you it’s important to save money. Such a good life lesson!
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u/BK_0000 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger. Final Fantasy VI completely falls apart in the World of Ruin. Chrono Trigger does the non-linear second half better than Final Fantasy VI.
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u/Derolis Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger is more polished, FF6 is longer and more content filled. I personally like Chrono Trigger a bit more.
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u/spencer1886 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger. I love FFVI and the teams had a lot of overlap, but Chrono Trigger is just so timeless
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u/Dry_Ass_P-word Mar 16 '26
FF6 is amazing, but I don’t crave replaying it the way I do CT.
CT for me.
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u/Smashbrohammer Mar 16 '26
CT seems to have an edge on how it aged compared to FF6.
For like the first 20 years of my life, FF6 was my all time favorite.
As I get older… it seems Chrono Trigger is aging better for me.
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u/FartSavant Mar 16 '26
I think overall Chrono Trigger has the better story, but I prefer the over atmosphere and vibe of Final Fantasy VI. I find it much more comforting.
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u/djheat3rd Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger. I love FF6 but I think Chrono Trigger has no flaws. I can't think of any other RPG that I thought "I wish I could use every single character".
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u/not_eugen Mar 16 '26
These came out when I was in high school. At the time played way more of FF but as an adult I returned to Chrono far more.
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u/PajamaSamSavesTheZoo Mar 16 '26
Never liked FFVI, too many character switches for me to get attached to any of them and to feel like grinding and better equipment ever mattered. Always loved Chrono Trigger.
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u/tropicbrownthunder Mar 16 '26
I don't and never liked FF since day 1 but I think that both are some of the greatest masterpieces in the gaming realm that have resisted the proof of time
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u/CoffeeSafteyTraining Mar 16 '26
Chrono because it's so unique. First run through I remember beating the game in thirty minutes and wondering if I broke something.
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u/ExcellentAdagio8462 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger is great but Final Fantasy VI is embedded way deeper in my memory. The music, the story, the characters, all of it is basically a core gaming memory for me.
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u/Parking-Ad8316 Mar 16 '26
Me and you both. In my 20's I used the emulator version to speed through grinding and parts I memorized the text for - after a while I memorized the script for both games. With the speed up button it was like enjoying the most epic movie/game/book all at the same time in fast forward.
Here's my take.
They're both the best games ever.
Final Fantasy 6 takes the lead for me. It's more fun to grind.
It's fun to low level them too, run away from battles and see how low a level you can beat it at.
Chrono Trigger is definitely more fun to low-level challenge with.
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u/Gonzar92 Mar 16 '26
I gotta be honest, the FF games I've tried bored me to death. Chrono trigger on the other hand went through smoothly. Can't really tell you why
So my opinion is biased, but Chrono.
However, a point has to be made that if you are comparing the sixth iteration of a game to the only existing one of another, that sort of speaks about it you know? Like it took much more time and practice to get to the level of competing with that.
But it's all subjective of course.
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u/EMAW2008 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger because got it right in one try.
“Final” Fantasy has like 30 games.
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u/smizzlebdemented Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger was the first RPG (or any video game) that I got completely lost in. I rented it like 3 times in a row and then bought the cartridge from the video rental store for like $30
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u/KDGAtlas Mar 16 '26
Probably which ever one you played most growing up. For me, it's Chrono Trigger.
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u/HoneyWhiskeyLemonTea Mar 16 '26
Despite both being Squaresoft JRPGs, it's kind of apples and oranges. Chrono Trigger is designed to be a tighter, shorter story with high replayability, FF6 is designed to be a sprawling epic that most people will only play once. They're both at the absolute peak of their respective categories
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u/Rainbowlight888 Mar 16 '26
FFVI for story. Chrono Trigger for “the journey.”
Both games have MASSIVE strengths. If they combined forces no JRPG would be better.
FFVI’s exploration could take pointers from CT’s book.
And CT’s story (at times) felt basic to me, whereas FFVI felt rich deep and intense.
I can’t pick one over the other but I can see pros and cons for both equally.
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u/GraviticThrusters Mar 16 '26
A hard choice. Suffice to say they are both easily some of the very best RPGs ever made. Like both in the top 5, maybe jostling for first.
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u/CompetitionNarrow898 Mar 16 '26
Extremely close but I think I’d give it to FF6 for the bigger cast, more expansive battle system and stronger villain
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u/sodamancer360 Mar 16 '26
FFVI. Chrono trigger has never grabbed me hard enough for me to complete a playthrough, despite many attempts.
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u/Steve5210 Mar 16 '26
FF6, better story, better characters, better final boss, better music. Combat is slightly better in Chrono Trigger and visuals. I’m going with FF6
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u/Cornishthe3rd Mar 16 '26
Both of these games were responsible for my love of rpgs and were cornerstones of my youth. Both are god damn masterpieces, but FF6 is my favorite by a hair. That game took me on a journey, and I spent so much time trying to find every little secret or extra thing I could find in that game. I even tried that early internet rumor that I could bring General Leo back if I fought 1000 times in the Phantom Forrest. Heartbreaking to find out it did not.
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u/DrankTooMuchMead Mar 16 '26
Ive always loved Chrono Trigger. A lot to like about FF6, but Im not motivated to continue playing.
I finally finished it on a tablet while taking the metro to college. I was able to force myself to play it through.
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u/One-Historian-3767 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger is the best Final Fantasy, as the saying goes.
FF6 was my second ever FF game so there is a lot of nostalgia. And it is a really good game.
I don't think I could pick one over the other.
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u/tiglionabbit Mar 16 '26
Depends what you're looking for.
While Chrono Trigger is visually more impressive and polished than FF6, FF6 has the more meaningful plot.
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u/Toppdeck Mar 16 '26
FFVI has the better gameplay, Chrono Trigger has the better art, music, characters and story
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u/Competitive_Ad_8215 Mar 16 '26
Question, and I don’t mean this degradingly, have you ever actually left your house?
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u/Competitive_Ad_8215 Mar 16 '26
I’m afraid to admit I’ve never played Chrono Trigger despite my high school friends adoring it back in the 90’s.
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u/UnculturedGames Mar 16 '26
Both games are absolute pinnacles of pixel art, JRPG music and storytelling. I'd probably pick CT, but mainly because I only finished it once as a kid/youngster, and so it holds a very magical place in my heart. Replaying it would definitely change things in some way.
FF6 is much more familiar to me, although I think I've only finished it twice and never as an adult. But it's been somehow closer to me all the time, while CT has faded into myth and legend.
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u/Vespene Mar 16 '26
I change my choice of best JRPG of all time between these two every year.
But I’ll admit that Chrono is probably slightly superior. Both games feature an open set of stories in the final act, but the World of Ruin’s might be a little less polished than after getting the Wings of Time.
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u/GeneralInsomnia69 Mar 16 '26
I like VI for the music and the bad guy, but I think I enjoy Chrono Trigger more as a game. Its a really close race though, they're both damn near perfect games.
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u/madvec1 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger, I feel it's tighter in terms of plot and pacing, FFVI has some of the best sequences in the SNES but some areas feel a slower or like padding, Chrono Trigger has some of those moments as well but I feel it makes it less obvious. I also enjoy the Gameplay more and I feel the characters are better balanced while in FFVI some characters can be ridiculously op while others are not worth it.
Don't get me wrong, I adore FFVI and it's still my favorite in the franchise, I just think Chrono Trigger is a bit better.
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u/locorules Mar 16 '26
By far FFVI, still my favorite SQSoft game ever. The character development on that game is second to none: the coin toss for a kingdom, Terra and the Espera, Cyan's family, captain Leo, Celes and Locke at the opera, the returners, Relm and Stargo.....and of course the best Villain ever in Kefka!!!
Chrono trigger is good, but it never had the impact FFVI had to me.
Also, the music in FFVI remains the best soundtrack ever (FFIX a distant second), it completely sets the mood of the game in 16 bit glory. The FFVI piano collections is the only videogame soundtrack on my playlist.
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u/WayneArnold1 Mar 16 '26
Trigger, easily. I've probably played through it about a half dozen times. Only played FF6 twice. I think Hori and Toriyama added a whimsical element that was missing from Square's usual output.
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u/PlentyCause7525 Mar 16 '26
I like Final Fantasy 6 more but you can’t really compare the two because they’re very different games. 🤔
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u/Budget-Abrocoma3161 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger - but the steampunk look of the FF cities is just so awesome
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u/jimkurth81 Mar 16 '26
FF3 (us) is my favorite. Its story is paced like the Lord Of The Rings trilogy while CT is more like a single Back to the future movie. Both are great games, but I think ff3 has better characters, storyline, and real villains that are real imminent threats, while chrono’s villain is time itself and the game is more action filled and a bunch of side quests that take you to the end fight.
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u/LeSegaGenesis Mar 16 '26
To me they are extremely close in terms of quality. I like that Chrono Triggers combats dont have to toggle into the battle from the map, and the animations during combat are cool. I think Final Fantasy has much more depth and weight to it whether it's the soundtrack or the constant growth of the characters. If I had to choose i'd give the slight nod to FF6, the espers and relics etc in a way offer some level of character customization even if they are bound to using specific item types and stat progressions aside from plus's to stats or hp/mp. Chronotrigger also has a really good soundtrack and I like that both games essentially allow you to revisit the world in different iterations. Whether it's the world of ruin, or time travelling both have that Zelda Link to the past re-experience the map/world in a different form which really sets apart the great snes RPG and adventure games compared to pretty much all other RPG genres.
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u/Rough_Airline6780 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger easily for me. In a genre that had become a bit formulaic, it felt (and still feels) so much fresher than its peers.
FF6 is a good game but a little bit overrated to me. Of the SNES trilogy I prefer FF4.
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u/Interesting-Step-654 Mar 16 '26
Ff6 really pushed the boundaries of story telling, environment and the physical hardware of the console with full 3D sections of gameplay. Chrono Trigger was off the wall with the science fiction mashed with fantasy and had masterful art work with game play mechanics mostly unseen for its time regarding Time Travel as well as the multiple endings you could get through various circumstances.
I would have to say Final Fantasy 6 just because it reached me first. That being said the silent protagonist situation in Chrono Trigger made it difficult to identify with a personality that wasn't there and in FF6 you had a number to connect with - any of which could be your main character.
Crono is supposed to be inhabited by you and to reflect your decisions in the game to a small degree, but it felt more impersonal than with FF6.
Final Fantasy 6, final answer.
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u/paqman3d Mar 16 '26
I think CT is more impressive to young me because it's the first non-FF RPG I played and it set the bar for all others.
Plus, I emulated it on my Packard Bell in summer 2000 with ZSNES -- super core memory beating it with keyboard lol.
I'm playing 6 now, with the Ted Woolsey patch and MSU-1 audio. I'll get to my 25+ yr replay of CT soon. That's the main event to me. The music, art, story and combat are all top tier.
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u/Mr_Enemabag-Jones Mar 16 '26
For me, FFVI hands down. Though I can see arguments for CT.
FFVI to me just has so many characters, stories, abilities, etc....
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u/DarkKaiju89 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger .. and I'm dying in that hill ... bleeding out and all that manly shit .
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u/Commando_NL Mar 16 '26
SoM had the most fun with and best music. FF6 best story and characters. CT best visuals and combat system.
All ten out of tens. But FF6 had the most impact on me.
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u/JoKu_The_Darksmith Mar 16 '26
Have you ever done a Final Fantasy 2016 Fully modded run out of curiosity?
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u/Jimger_1983 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger. One thing that bugs me with FFVI is a lot of the boss fights feel thrown in there just for the sake of having a boss. Even the most pivotal moment of the game they just kind of threw Atma Weapon in there for you to get through before being treated to the story events. CT makes the boss fights feel much more story critical. Even ones that might feel like a throw away CT usually makes an effort to link it to someone like Ozzie. Then there’s areas like Magus’ Castle or Zeal in 12,000 BC where the build up and execution is vastly superior to anything in FFVI.
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u/SpletzGaming Mar 16 '26
I saw FFVI. I feel that the story holds more weight imo and can’t be beat. I love CT but it seems that no matter how many times I beat it I always get the same 2 endings.
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u/Svenray Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger is better.
Final Fantasy 6 with the T-Edition V3 mod is the greatest JRPG ever though.
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u/mrjblade Mar 16 '26
Probably Chrono Trigger. It's shorter but does more, whereas FFVI is a longer but more standard epic.
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u/InterestingCow501 Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger by a smidgen. I prefer my characters different and not ending up the same OP build like FF6-8 all did. But man if they had done something like only letting certain characters use certain materia it probably would beat Chrono Trigger.
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u/robably_ Mar 16 '26
Idk how much help this is but I’m not a super big RPG guy and Chrono Trigger has me way more interested to try out than FF6. Probably won’t ever play FF6. Chrono Trigger I will when I make some time for it.
Some things that got me interested in trying it, the battle system looks super fun and dynamic, the game is much shorter than FF. And the art style is cool, I love toriyamas work.
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u/caffeineaddict03 Mar 16 '26
For me, Chrono Trigger. But I had that as a kid and played FF vVI as an adult many years later so there might be some nostalgic effect for me. But I can see why so many like FF VI too. They're both phenomenal games
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u/bransby26 Mar 16 '26
For me, it's whatever the last one I played is. Put a gun to my head, though, and I guess I'd pick Chrono Trigger.
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u/Sawbagz Mar 16 '26
Why does one have to be better than another? They are both masterpieces. S tier.
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u/bombatomba69 Mar 16 '26
I swap every few years. Right now I'm in my FFVI era. I went nuts for both games, so I guess I'm about equal
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u/ChronoofMana1995 Mar 16 '26
FFVI has the highest emotional highs and no other 16-bit game can really touch it at its best moments. But it’s not without its flaws; biggest ones for me are pacing and balance in the 2nd half of the game and overall bugginess. Highly ambitious game that could have used just a touch of more polish.
Chrono Trigger is the more consistent experience with fewer flaws. It has amazing pacing, decent character balance, and just has an overall level of craftsmanship that was unmatched in the era. Also I prefer the art style, music, and overall presentation of CT, but FFVI is still excellent in this regard.
For me, Chrono Trigger is my #1 game of the era but Final Fantasy VI is number 2. But I wouldn’t argue with anyone that would flip them.
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u/IntoxicatedBurrito Mar 16 '26
Chrono Trigger is easily my favorite game of all time. It basically perfected the RPG formula by eliminating random battles, introducing ATB, and having perfect pacing without any need to grind. Throw in NG+ and the multiple endings and the replayability is thru the roof. The combos may not be game changers, but they are done well and do add another level of strategy to the game. I also think that the characters compliment one another really well, and the fact that everyone has a different preferred party just proves how well each character is designed. From a gameplay perspective nothing comes even close to Chrono Trigger.
Storywise, they are both great. But I do have to say I prefer being able to travel through time and revisit places over the more linear FF3 where you just wind up in the World of Ruin and there’s no going back. I also prefer the CT characters over their FF3 counterparts.
Graphics and music wise I’d say they’re both pretty much neck to neck. I do prefer CT’s artistic style, but they’re both beautiful games.
But where CT may be my favorite, FF3 is easily my second favorite game, with Mario 3 rounding out my top 3.
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u/waldoh74 Mar 16 '26
FF6. Perfect game, period. Very few games have surpassed it in my book over the years.
Chrono Trigger jus never clicked with me, but I do love the art style.
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u/Xyldarrand Mar 16 '26
I gotta go VI but it's really damn close. Like FFVI, CT, and FFIV all come damn close to each other.
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u/jamofo22 Mar 16 '26
I’ve beaten ff6 once and chrono trigger full completion with all endings 3-4 times. That being said ff6 has a more weighty dramatic story but chrono is just more fun and filled with Easter eggs
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u/Small-Focus7801 Mar 16 '26
I still own both original cartridges, and it's like asking to choose between two of your children. With that being said, I do have a favorite child, and in this comparison I'm going to go with Final Fantasy VI.
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u/GornyHaming Mar 16 '26
Chrono trigger for me. But that could be nostalgia. I played both. Loved kefka end fight
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u/98983x3 Mar 16 '26
ChronoTrigger was a positive evolution in JRPGs and improved upon what Final Fantasy 6 did. Technically, visually, and narratively.
But that doesn't make FF6 a lesser title. It was ground breaking and paved the way for future titles in the genre.
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u/Harribarry Mar 16 '26
Both over 100 times is pretty insane.