Chrono Trigger is THE RPG, the plot is great, full of twists and turns and most importantly the games atmosphere is perfect in every way, It's one of few RPGs that just felt special all the way though. When you add in the wonderful visual art, the great combat system, and the ability for players actions to effect the outcome of the game (for 1995 that's pretty major) you just really can't stack another RPG next too it.

Now that's not to say FFVII is a bad game, because it's not it excels in most all of the same areas as CT but just doesn't quite reach that level.

This, and this, again and again.

Chrono had the best battle mechanics of any RPG I've played, most character depth, greatest story and somehow, wasn't too outrageous.  
Unlike FF, Chrono Trigger knew when to not take itself too seriously, and those departures, even in the face of apocalyptic oblivion, make

it the truest gaming experience.  BAR NONE. 

I'll say why FF7 was better:

1. Characters

2. Story

3. Music

Chrono Trigger was EPIC too, but it gets beaten by a RPG in its gen too, FF6.

The music in Chrono Trigger is the best soundtrack for me in a videogame, the story is superb and perfect, you really feel the stuff, and every character has importance even the smaller one, so I say it's P-E-R-F-E-C-T, and the only one in my opinion (even if mario rpg: legend of 7 stars is 98% in perfection, for me)

Chrono Trigger is seriously on a league of its own. Not that FF7 is not a great RPG, but...

I just played the game recently and it still blew me away. It's insanity - this is after playing a few FF's (including my fav, 6), I'd say no FF matches this game. The pacing is perfect (it never slows down), the music is freggin amazing, the art and animation is great (2D sprite charm!), there's so much diversity (characters, settings, sidequests)... shit. This game is so ahead of its time! While playing the game it's almost depressing, just realizing that this game will probably never be topped.

It's a relatively short game (much shorter than I remembered), but it's the most dense package of "JRPG awesome" you'll ever find.

2 good games but I prefer the FF series...

For me, its VII, i don't even know wtf chrono trigger even is.

VII was my very first RPG ever. followed by pokemon i think.

VII also made me know that even boys are pretty.

FF VII for me, easy. One of the best RPGs ever.

Xenogears

^^^ it's not in the options