New Game+

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In Chrono Trigger
The name
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New Game+ starts the game over from a finished save and lets part of the first playthrough carry into the second: metaprogression across whole games rather than runs. In Chrono Trigger, the new game keeps the inventory, the seven characters’ records, their names, and the gold¹.

#In Chrono Trigger

The option appears once Lavos has been beaten in one of the normal endings³. The load screen then draws “New Game +” beside “New Game”, but only while one byte of the battery save is set⁴. The code that sets that byte hasn’t been found⁵.

Choosing the option asks “Start using which data?”, and the save slot picked there is carried into the new game⁶. Each character goes back into the equipment it started the first game with, and the gear it wore goes into the inventory¹. Key items and a few named weapons and armors are then removed, along with any of them a character wore².

The second playthrough is also where most of the endings are. A gate at Leene Square leads straight to Lavos, and the quests done before that fight decide which ending plays⁷.

#The name

The earliest known print uses of the name date from 1995. Micom Basic Magazine’s June 1995 issue called Chrono Trigger’s mode 強くてニューゲーム (“strong new game”)⁸, and Nintendo of America’s Player’s Guide called it “New Game +” and “New Game Plus”⁹.

Games

Game	Year	How	Note
Chrono Trigger	1995	Keep the party	the inventory, the character records and the names carry over; starting gear goes back on, and key items and a few weapons and armors are dropped

Every claim about this mechanic, by game (11)

Chrono Trigger 1995	The load screen offers New Game+ only when one byte of the battery save, kept outside the three save slots, is set. In Mesen, with a staged save in slot 0 and that byte set, the screen drew a "New Game +" label beside the plain "New Game"; with the cursor on New Game, Right flipped a menu byte from $08 to $78, the value the confirm code tests, and A then opened the screen's slot prompt. A without Right started a plain new game, and with the byte cleared the screen drew no "New Game +" label. The plus is font character $EC, whose tile on that screen is a plus sign.	Verified
	Choosing New Game+ draws the prompt "Start using which data?" and waits for input: confirming on one of the three save slots carries that slot into the new game and starts it, confirming on New Game starts a plain new game, and the other input puts the cursor back on New Game and returns to the slot list.	Code
	New Game+ starts from a new game's records and copies three things from the chosen slot: the first 1,408 bytes of its main block (the inventory, the seven characters' records and what follows them, up to the active party), the 51 bytes of names and gold, and one event-flag byte whose bits let each character learn magic techniques. It then dresses each character in the four pieces of equipment from its starting record, Ayla's weapon excepted, putting the saved gear in the inventory; recomputes HP and refills MP; removes every item whose record carries flag bit $10; and sets another event-flag byte to $10. In Mesen, from a save staged in slot 0 and started through the load screen, the copied bytes held the save's values, and every other byte of work RAM at $7E:2000-$7E:2FFF and $7F:0000-$7F:01FF stayed as the new game had set it; five bytes at $7E:2857-$7E:285B, which changed during the run, were left out of the check.	Verified
	The items New Game+ removes are those whose record's first byte has bit $10 set: every key item from the Seed to Toma's Pop but the Race Log, and the Slasher, Slasher 2, the three Masamune entries, the Bent Sword and Bent Hilt, the Taban Vest, Taban Suit and Taban Helm, OzziePants, the GreenDream, the Hero Medal and the Flea Vest, as the item tables list them. Gear a character still wears is put in the inventory first, so it goes too.	Code
	The save byte that unlocks New Game+ is set to $FF by one entry of the party-operation table; no call to that entry was found, since every long call into the party operations passes another operation number. The byte is cleared in one branch of the menu launcher, taken when it is called for menu 0 while a flag at $7F:0061 is still 0. The save check (party operation 9) leaves that flag at 0 when no slot passes validation and sets it to 2 otherwise, and the load screen's New Game sets it to 1. In Mesen, power-on with the byte set and no valid slot ran the clear once and left the byte at 0; with a valid slot the clear never ran, and a plain new game started from the load screen left the byte at $FF. Erasing a slot from the load screen also clears the byte when no valid slot is left.	Verified
	The disassembly calls the event-flag byte New Game+ sets "New Game+ right telepod active to warp to Lavos"; the event script that reads it is not traced.	Code notes
	New Game+ becomes available once Lavos has been beaten in one of the normal endings, reached by fighting through the Black Omen or by the Bucket at the End of Time; until then the load screen doesn't offer it. In the USA cartridge the offer waits on one save byte, and the code that sets that byte has not been found.	Publisher
	Most of the game's endings are reached only on a New Game+ file. A gate in the right telepod at Leene Square leads straight to Lavos, and which ending plays depends on the quests done before that fight.	Publisher
	The earliest known English print uses of the mode's name date from 1995: Nintendo of America's Player's Guide for the game, © 1995, calls it "New Game +" and also "New Game Plus". "New Game +" is the label the USA release's load screen draws.	Publisher
	The earliest known print use of the mode's Japanese name is in the June 1995 issue of Micom Basic Magazine, which calls Chrono Trigger's mode 強くてニューゲーム (Tsuyokute New Game, "strong new game").	Magazine
	The Japanese release's own label for New Game+, and the name the Japanese guidebooks of the time print, haven't been read: only the USA cartridge has been run, and no Japanese guidebook of the time has been found as a scan.	Unsourced

References

^ a b cVerified“Chrono Trigger (USA)” · dscotton/ct_disassemblybank_FF.asm 1184–1188; bank_C2.asm 24305, 13577–13614, 14994–15002, 12297, 13463–13465, 12215; +1 files
How we know
In the cartridge (“Chrono Trigger (USA)”): $FF:FAED-$FF:FBD2, an incbin in the disassembly. Our reading: two copies from the slot (records at $FF:FBC1); the byte at slot offset $7E3 ($7F:01E0) copied; for characters 6 down to 0, the starting record's bytes $29, $2A, $28 and $27 (at $FF:FBCF) passed to party operation $0A, the weapon skipped for the record at $190 (Ayla); party operations 6 and 7; for the 242 inventory slots, an item whose $7E:7700 entry has bit $10 cleared with its count; $10 stored to $7F:01CF.. We don't reproduce the bytes.
```
1184; (SaveSlot_GetBase: slot bases $306000/$306A00/$307400, $0A00 bytes each). Regions: $7E2400+$5B0
1185; (main save block: inventory/char records/learned techs/gold), $7E2C23+$33 (character names),
1186; $7E0400+$10 (config), $00:0100+$10, $7F0000+$200 (event flags), $00:027E+2, $00:0290+$11,
1187; $7E2C7C+$1E. Because region 1 ($7E2400) is copied first, it lands at slot offset 0:
1188; inventory item ids at slot+$000..$0FF, quantities at slot+$100..$1FF. After the region
```
bank_FF.asm lines 1184–1188 at eeae27a · upstream ↗
```
24305                       JSR.W NewGame_SeedCharStatsAndTechs              ;C2E65D|
```
bank_C2.asm line 24305 at eeae27a · upstream ↗
bank_C1.asm at eeae27a
Our readinga magic technique (id bit $80)31184–31186is learned only if the character's bit is set in $7F:01E031187–31200
bank_C2.asm at eeae27a
Our readingHP field +3 = base maximum +5, plus half for accessory $A1 or a quarter for $A0, at most 99913578–13594MP byte +7 = byte +9, for the seven records13600–13612$7E:7700 + item = the item record's first byte, bits $1E14994–15002
```
12297                       JSL.L Menu_CheckRockTriples                 ;C2837B|2258F9FF|FFF958;
```
bank_C2.asm line 12297 at eeae27a · upstream ↗
bank_C2.asm at eeae27a
Our readingafter every party operation, reload the party records (whose routine makes the call above)13463–13465
Measured by a script in MesenCE 2.2.1 (build 4b8a196), on Chrono Trigger (USA) (SHA-1 de5822f4f2f7…). It fails if the result disagrees with the claim.
1 more excerpts on the claim page

^ a bCode“Chrono Trigger (USA)” · dscotton/ct_disassemblybank_C2.asm 14994–15002

How we know

In the cartridge (“Chrono Trigger (USA)”): $FF:FB9C-$FF:FBB8: for each of 242 inventory slots, clear the item and its count when $7E:7700 + item has bit $10.. We don't reproduce the bytes.

14994                     + STZ.B $00                            ;C298B5|6400    |000000;
14995                                                            ;      |        |      ;
14996                     - SEP #$20                             ;C298B7|E220    |      ;
14997                       LDA.B $00                            ;C298B9|A500    |000000;
14998                       JSR.W Item_GetStatsPtr                 ;C298BB|20AD88  |C288AD;
14999                       LDY.B $00                            ;C298BE|A400    |000000;
15000                       LDA.L CharInitData,X                 ;C298C0|BF0000CC|CC0000;
15001                       AND.B #$1E                           ;C298C4|291E    |      ;
15002                       STA.W $7700,Y                        ;C298C6|990077  |7E7700;

bank_C2.asm lines 14994–15002 at eeae27a · upstream ↗

Claim page

^PublisherNintendo Player's Guide, Chrono Trigger (1995)
How we know
The "New Game +" option won't appear on the file save screen until you defeat Lavos for the first time.
p. 129 (scan image 77), Altered Destinies · archived copy ↗
All the normal endings are found by beating Lavos when your party battles through the Black Omen Fortress or warps in the Bucket at the End of Time. You need to beat Lavos in this manner to select the "New Game +" mode.
p. 129 (scan image 77), Normal Endings · archived copy ↗
Claim page
^Verified“Chrono Trigger (USA)” · dscotton/ct_disassemblybank_C2.asm 24431–24445, 24294–24318, 24497–24500
How we know
In the cartridge (“Chrono Trigger (USA)”): $C2:E5D3-$C2:E922, the load screen, run by the probe: three runs in MesenCE 2.2.1 from power-on. The probe writes slot 0 (its checksum and the magic word $E41B) and $30:7FE2 = $FF (or 0) on the first frame, resets, presses Start every 120 frames until menu screen $0E opens, waits 120 frames, then taps Up, Right (or not), A, Down and A, 16 frames apart. Labels are read from video RAM, where the screen's tile numbers are the font's character codes, and the glyph from the font tiles at $E000.. We don't reproduce the bytes.
bank_C2.asm at eeae27a
Our readingonly when the save byte at $30:7FE2 is set24431–24432and the cursor is on New Game (position 3)24433–24435and Left or Right is pressed24436–24438flip the byte at $9392 between $08 and $7824439–24442A on a slot (cursor below 3) loads that slot24296–24301A on New Game: set up a new game24305–24307if the save byte is set and $9392 holds $78, draw the slot prompt and go to the next state24310–24318when the save byte is set, run the screen's extra drawing list at $FF:C36B24497–24500
Measured by a script in MesenCE 2.2.1 (build 4b8a196), on Chrono Trigger (USA) (SHA-1 de5822f4f2f7…). It fails if the result disagrees with the claim.
Claim page
^Verified“Chrono Trigger (USA)” · dscotton/ct_disassemblybank_C2.asm 13615–13617, 11873–11882, 13618–13636, 24573–24590
How we know
In the cartridge (“Chrono Trigger (USA)”): $C2:8042-$C2:805A, the launcher's start-up branch, run by the probe in MesenCE 2.2.1: the staged SRAM without a valid slot, Start pressed every 120 frames for 1,800 frames from power-on; an execution callback at $C2:8053 (the store that clears the byte) counted its runs, and the byte was read from save RAM after each run.. We don't reproduce the bytes.
```
13615                       LDA.B #$FF                                       ;C28D63|
13616                       STA.L $307FE2                                    ;C28D65|
13617                       RTS                                              ;C28D69|
```
bank_C2.asm lines 13615–13617 at eeae27a · upstream ↗
In the cartridge (“Chrono Trigger (USA)”): $C2:8C5B, the party-operation table: entry 8 is $8D63.. We don't reproduce the bytes.
bank_C2.asm at eeae27a
Our readingcalled for menu 0 while the start-up flag at $7F:0061 is still 011873–11876seed the starting party, set the flag to 111877–11879clear the byte11880–11881validate slots 0 to 2 in turn13621–13627none valid: seed the starting party, flag 013628–13630a valid slot: flag 213632–13635invalidate the slot24575–24581if no valid slot is left, clear the byte24584–24588
Measured by a script in MesenCE 2.2.1 (build 4b8a196), on Chrono Trigger (USA) (SHA-1 de5822f4f2f7…). It fails if the result disagrees with the claim.
Claim page
^Codedscotton/ct_disassembly · “Chrono Trigger (USA)”bank_C2.asm 24525–24537, 24341–24376, 24319–24340
How we know
bank_C2.asm at eeae27a
Our readingdraw string 3 of the description table at $FF:CF3B24529–24537
In the cartridge (“Chrono Trigger (USA)”): $FF:CFD9, string 3 of the table at $FF:CF3B: "Start using" / "which data?". We don't reproduce the bytes.
bank_C2.asm at eeae27a
Our readingconfirm or cancel24342–24345confirm on New Game (cursor 3 or more): the plain new game path24356–24359confirm on a slot: carry it over ($FF:FAED), then start the game24360–24364the other input: cursor to New Game (3), back to the slot list24365–24376the plain new game: note the first slot whose valid mark is 0, or slot 024319–24329leave the menu for the game24331–24340
Claim page
^PublisherNintendo Player's Guide, Chrono Trigger (1995)
How we know
There are many endings in Chrono Trigger, but you can only see most of them if you finish the game a second time using the "New Game +" mode.
p. 129 (scan image 77), Altered Destinies · archived copy ↗
Look for the new gate in the right teleportation station in Leene Square. This is your direct link to Lavos
p. 129 (scan image 77), The Lavos Gate · archived copy ↗
The Lavos Gate appears in Leene Square. You can choose between playing the game or defeating Lavos. Endings depend on which quests you undertake.
p. 129 (scan image 77), Multi Endings · archived copy ↗
Claim page
^MagazineMicom Basic, June 1995
How we know
「強くてニューゲーム」で遊ぼう
p. 149 (scan image 153), Final Stage, heading · archived copy ↗
Our translationLet's play "Tsuyokute New Game"
知っている人も多いと思うが，『クロノ・トリガー』には「強くてニューゲーム」というモードがある。
p. 149 (scan image 153), Final Stage, first paragraph · archived copy ↗
Our translationMany will know this, but Chrono Trigger has a mode called "Tsuyokute New Game".
Claim page
^PublisherNintendo Player's Guide, Chrono Trigger (1995)
How we know
Use the "New Game Plus" file to return to the past and find some of the best endings in Chrono Trigger.
p. 129 (scan image 77), How to Find a Plus Ending · archived copy ↗
The "New Game +" mode is not available until you finish Chrono Trigger for the first time.
p. 129 (scan image 77), Select the "New Game +" · archived copy ↗
©1995 by Nintendo of America Inc.
imprint (scan image 3) · archived copy ↗
Claim page

Sources

Code

n.d. “Chrono Trigger (USA).” · licence, all uses
Scotton, David. 2026. “ct_disassembly: Chrono Trigger (US v1.0) disassembly.” Commit eeae27a. dscotton/ct_disassembly @ eeae27a · licence, all uses

Primary

America, Nintendo of. 1995. “Nintendo Player's Guide: Chrono Trigger.” Nintendo of America. original · archived · licence, all uses

Secondary

マイコンBASICマガジン編集部. 1995. “マイコンBASICマガジン, June 1995.” マイコンBASICマガジン (Micom Basic Magazine), June 1995. 電波新聞社 (Dempa Shimbunsha). original · archived · licence, all uses

#In Chrono Trigger

#The name

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References

Sources

Code

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Secondary