Glitches (Chrono Cross)

Demo Glenn

Let the demo sequence play completely through (the "ingame" demo as well as the FMV) several times, then press start and begin a New Game. Now, in the dream sequence, open the subscreen, select any of the character-related commands (Status, Element->Arrange, or Equipment) and press left to view your complete roster of characters. Instead of just the three characters you have (Serge, Kid and the random third one) a whole bunch of characters will be listed there. It looks like for each time the "ingame" demo plays, more characters get added to the list. One of these "extra" characters will always (?) be Glenn, while the others will be drawn from the set of characters that may appear as your third party member in the dream sequence.

Of course, you can't actually switch party members (because you don't have the Tele-Porter or access to a save point) but you can view the stats, equipment and Elements of the "extra" characters. Most of the characters have the same Elements they'd have if they had been chosen as your third party member (i.e. the funny 3-3-3-3-1 grid, filled up with assorted attack and recovery Elements and the character's Level 3 Tech) but Glenn for some reason has his actual 20-star grid (5-5-3-3-3-1, with both Dash&Gash and SonicSword learned) and his only Elements are a TurnBlack and a pack of Recharges--the rest of his slots are all empty.

As I mentioned, this glitch is totally useless. Triggering it has absolutely no effect on the game after the dream sequence ends. When I first discovered it the other day I was kind of hoping that you could strip the additional characters of Elements and the game would "forget" to remove those Elements from your inventory at the end of the dream sequence, but no such luck. Damnit, I wanted those Recharges...

Thanks to Alex Jackson

Kid Helps Herself

Several years ago, I discovered a cool yet benevolent glitch in Chrono Cross completely by accident while using the Relief Charm during the Hydra Humour Subquest in New Game + mode.

Before entering or completing the Viper Minor scenario involving Nikki, Pierre, or Guile in New Game + mode, use the Relief Charm to select Kid as your substitute in battle, choose two other members of your entourage (not including her, of course) to complete your three-member party, and play through that section of the game. Once you awaken in Guldove, keep these settings until you reach the point where Kid succumbs to the effects of the poisoned dagger that Lynx threw at her, then choose the optional subquest to obtain the Hydra Humour needed to cure her.

Now, here is the neat part of the trick: even though Kid's name will disappear from the available party members roster, if you get into a fight at any point between the beginning and end of this subquest, you will discover that she will still appear as Serge's substitute in battle as a completely functional character! This glitch only works under the specific set of circumstances outlined above, will not work if you select not to try and save her yourselves, and is known to have the following inherant limitations:

1. Kid will be stuck using whatever elements, weapon, accessories, and armor she was equipped with before she became incapacitated until such time as she "officially" rejoins your party.

2. While in walkabout mode, you will be unable to cure her of any status ailments (Poison, Flu, Sprain, etc.) that she may acquire, though you will be able to relieve her of them while in battle mode.

3. If you select another character as Serge's replacement using the Relief Charm at any point during the subquest, the trick will immediately end and Kid will no longer be accessible until she "officially" rejoins your party.

What may make this trick worth everyone's while to try out is that, up until this point in the game, Kid is the only member of your party who possesses the ability to steal, and playing as her during this subquest will allow you to swipe items from enemies you normally might not be able to. For the record, I have thus far managed to pilfer a Plaster Cap from the Wingapede, a blue Ice Lance element from Madame Pentapus, and a Tablet from the Hydra. However, I have not gone on a exhaustive stealing binge to discover what rare items, if any, can be acquired in this fashion, so some Chrono Cross veterans might want to experiment further with this...

Special thanks to Dingo Jellybean, author of one of the many Chrono Cross FAQs out there, who initially helped me get the word out about this glitch I discovered.

From: Cheats and Glitches

--Lunar Archivist 19:15, 1 Dec 2004 (CDT)