Update | Confirmation of Square Enix Chrono Trigger remake mistakenly leaked at Naples Comicon (rumor now debunked)

As Gematsu is reporting, Yuji Horii did not discuss a Chrono Trigger remake. The translator either misled the audience or made a serious error.

Original article continues as follows:

Remakes or remasters of classics are occupying more resources for developers. As experienced with Oblivion Remastered, it's often difficult to prevent leaks before a release. A Chrono Trigger remake has been a popular request from fans of the 1995 RPG. At the Naples Comicon, Yuji Horii, a writer for the original game, inadvertently mentioned a remake.

During a translated interview, Horii referred to a Chrono Trigger remake as if one existed. According to Redditor, df_tarocco_1, he then covered his mouth, suggesting the admission was a mistake. The translator asked Horii to repeat the statement, but the Dragon Quest creator replied, "You have heard nothing." Despite the attempt at damage control, several audience members witnessed the interaction. After initial skepticism, multiple attendees reported identical accounts on social media and Reddit. IGN Italy has also published a new report discussing a Chrono Trigger remake in development. 

The original Super Nintendo title made a lasting impact with a unique art style and time-traveling mechanics. The star power behind its development was immense. Yuji Horii partnered with Hironobu Sakaguchi, the inventor of the Final Fantasy Series, and Dragon Quest designer Akira Toriyama.

Square Enix recently celebrated the Chrono Trigger 30th Anniversary. The company promised to launch several projects related to what many players consider an RPG masterpiece. After a successful debut for Dragon Quest III HD-2D, Square Enix may have already given another game the same treatment. However, rumors of a Chrono Trigger remake began in February 2024. Game Director Yoshinori Kitase alluded to a new version of the title in a podcast.

The challenge for Square Enix is modernizing the 2D art of Chrono Trigger without sacrificing its identity. Kitase asked fans if a remake, remaster, or port was preferable. The HD-2D approach seems the most likely, where 2D-pixel art blends with 3D backgrounds.