Game publisher Square Enix announced on its blog today that it plans to release a version of the beloved role-playing game Chrono Trigger for the iPhone and iPod touch next month.

Originally released in 1995 for the Super Nintendo, Chrono Trigger is hailed by many as a landmark game for its unique story and mechanics. Players travel through time via mysterious portals, gathering a party of memorable characters across different epochs and learning of their mysterious interconnections — all in a bid to save the world from a future of destruction.

Members of your party develop new skills as they fight together in combinations of three, and the deeds you do in one time period (e.g. the Middle Ages) affect circumstances in others (e.g. 2300 A.D.). With surprising plot twists and multiple endings, the game has heart and depth seen in few of its contemporary titles.

The game has been re-released previously on the Sony Playstation, the Nintendo DS, and most recently on the Wii's virtual console. The journey to iOS is one more step in the very gradual opening of Square's illustrious back catalog.

Square released some images showing the game's new touch interface. Besides a necessarily revamped UI, the original graphics appear to be intact.











The price and a specific release date have yet to be announced, though Square writes that fans will be able to get their thumbs on it "before the end of December." If you haven't experienced Chrono Trigger (or want to relive its 16-bit glory), mark your calendar and check the App Store. If the port is true to the original, you won't be disappointed.