what RPGs come close to Chrono Trigger's level?

Well Chrono Cross is a pretty good game, but it isn't nearly as good as Chrono Trigger. For the SNES, Earthbound is a very good game, but it isn't really like Chrono Trigger.

To the best of my knowledge, that battle style is limited to the "Chrono" series.

However, Secret of Mana and Star Ocean are excellent RPG's for the SNES. As far as PS1 titles go, you can't go wrong with the FF games, Legend of Legaia, Xenogears, Valkyrie Profile, or Star Ocean 2.

For PS2, I'd recommend Star Ocean 3 (weak storyline but excellent battle system and awesome music), Valkyrie Profile 2 (story is a little meh, but has excellent gameplay and good music), or FFX. There's also the Suikoden games, but I'm not very experienced with them.

umm i know some of these have already been stated but yea,

chrono cross
final fantasy(all are pretty much good, but out of the ones ive played 7, 9, and 1 are the best)
super mario rpg actually wasnt bad and has similar battle system
star ocean
children of mana is decent for the ds
shin megumi tensai isnt bad from what ive heard, havent played that one tho

Yeah

Lufia2: Has a great story and some great idea's including anchient cave dungion crawl for special weapons but it is turn based and that is not for everyone.

Terranigma: Amazing story Amazing combat and an Amazing overall game.

Secret of Mana: Has a truly memorable story with great magic capabilities and awesome visuals:

Secret of Evermore: Alchemy system is great and it has a great story as well.

Illusion of Time: Slower combat to Terranigma but with a great story and some good puzzles.

Allof these Rpg's are great and there are the final fantasy series which in my opinion is nothing special but alot of people love them. There are many great rpg's on the snes but these are the few that I find are better or as good as Chrono Trigger.

Btw geust155, The first lufia starts after the second one finishes and ou fight daos and his sinestrals as the first scene of the game. Good in many ways but after playing Lufia 2 you could find it a bit of a let down.

Earthbound

Many. This game is very overrated though it is incredible.

quote OzzieSlashFlea

Overrated?! Pfft... Mario/Zelda/Sonic/Pokemon etc games are overrated. I've never met anyone who has heard of Chrono Trigger before.

I think he meant overrated as in the fact that the majority of those who play it hail it as the best classic gaming feat ever, although it is very good, it is not on the same level as many other games from the era