Ready. Set. Chocobo!

Start your engines, because Chocobo GP is coming to Nintendo Switch!

So what exactly gets Chocobo and pals to participate in this automotive extravaganza? The answer’s revealed by the game’s story mode, which sees the gang enter a racing tournament to win a truly unbelievable reward: a wish for whatever their heart desires.

As incentives go, that’s pretty good - and the racers are out to win! Magic Eggs containing magicite are scattered across the courses - collect one of these and you’ll be imbued with magic, such as Fire or Aero, which you can use against your competitors to disrupt their race. Of course, they can do the same to you…

Chocobo GP is now available for digital pre-order on Nintendo Switch in anticipation of its March 10, 2022 release.

Square Enix also introduced the first Season, which players can join in on in the game’s 64-player bracket-style tournament, Chocobo GP Mode. Lasting roughly two months, each Season will present special rewards which players can earn by raising their season score and season level through participation in Chocobo GP Mode. An optional Prize Pass will be available for purchase, granting players access to additional rewards and the ability to earn resources, such as Gil, more efficiently. Gil can be used to purchase various rewards in the game’s Gil Shop.

As a Season One login bonus, all players can obtain 800 mythril (equivalent to a Prize Pass) for a limited time, allowing them to obtain Final Fantasy VII’s fan-favorite Cloud as a level reward of the first Prize Pass. Additionally, all players of the full game have the chance to obtain Final Fantasy VIII’s Squall from the Gil Shop.

Chocobo GP is full of amazing characters from both the Chocobo series and the wider Final Fantasy universe. Each is playable, and each is competing to be the best on the track. Here’s a look at some potentially familiar faces:

Terra: Terra is a strange girl in many ways. What’s more, she seems to be lost in a trance. Her unique ability is called Magitek Missile and true to its name, Terra launches five magitek missiles that follow the track in front of her. Any characters who get hit by a missile - or even caught in the explosion when they detonate - will wipe out!

Maduin: Terra’s father may look scary, but he’s actually a kind and loving dad… and overcome with worry for his daughter. When he uses his unique ability, Chaos Wave, Maduin concentrates his aura to enter a boosted state. He’ll travel forward for a period of time and cause any characters he hits directly to wipe out.

Vivi: This black mage boy is often afraid - he doesn’t like heights in particular. He has the ability to use Dbl Magic. When he activates it, Vivi enters Trance and can use two different types of high-tier magic at once. The direction you input with the left stick when you activate the ability defines which type of magicite he uses - the effects are the same as using regular magicite.

Steiner: The leader of the Knights of Alexandria is a stern and uncompromising man. That said, he’s surprisingly easily brought to tears. His unique ability - Moonlight Slash - is borne of hard work and dedication. When a racer is in front of him, he’ll attack them with his sword and cause them to wipe out. If there’s more than one racer nearby, he’ll keep attacking.

Asura: Asura is a glamorous socialite and married to Leviathan. She has three different faces that she swaps between depending on her mood. Her special ability is called Tsunami and - appropriately enough - lets her surf along on a giant tsunami. She continues along the course in a boosted state for a period of time, moving left and right automatically. Any characters that come into contact with the waves will wipe out.

Titan: Although Titan looks fierce, he’s actually an affable fellow who loves to chat to people. He’s best mates with Ben (who we introduced in our last blog) and worries about his self-destructive lifestyle. With his Gaia’s Wrath ability, Titan slams his mighty fists on the ground, which sends a shockwave out from the impact. It also shoots a pillar of rock out in front of the racers ahead of him.

Sylph: Sylph is a young girl who lives on the beach near the Monster Village and looks like a fairy. In contrast to her child-like appearance, she has quite the mouth on her! By using her Whispering Wind ability, Sylph traps other racers in a whirlwind to slow them down. It also makes it harder for them to control their vehicles.

Ramuh: This relative of Maduin lives in Zozo and is a reckless old chatterbox. His unique ability is Judgement Bolt. Ramuh uses his staff to summon a thundercloud, which homes in on nearby racers. Once it’s over their head, a bolt of lightning makes them wipe out.

Shiva: This icy figure is Shiva. She’s Ramuh’s granddaughter and is always taking selfies to post whenever and wherever. Her Diamond Dust ability blasts her competitors with freezing ice. Frozen characters are unable to perform certain actions for a set time, including using magicite, abilities or even drifting!

Mecha-Chocobo: Mecha-Chocobo is so-called because… well, it’s a mechanical chocobo. The hero having a sinister robotic imposter has long been a staple of adventure tales. When Mecha-Chocobo uses its Beserk ability, its weapon mount will open and unleash a full-blown frontal assault for a set amount of time.

Customization

Chocobo GP lets you alter the look of characters and vehicles so you can choose a style that suits you.

You can change characters’ costumes and vehicle colors.

You can also affix stickers to vehicles to give them that personal touch.

Magicite

As you race around a course, you’ll see Magic Eggs. If you touch one, you’ll get a piece of magicite, which lets you cast magic to help you or harass your rivals.

Magicite comes in three levels - if you collect multiple of the same type, your spells will be even more potent.

Back in December, we revealed some of the types of magicite you’ll find on-track. Today, we have a few more to reveal, starting with…

Quake: This magicite contains the power of earth. When used, it creates a shockwave that centers on your vehicle and shakes the ground around it. Any characters caught in the area will be damaged.

Bahamut: A very powerful magicite that lets you call forth the strongest summon of all - Bahamut! The invincible figure boosts your speed and moves you automatically along the course for a set amount of time.

Ultima: Here it is - the ultimate magic. Your magicite can transform into Ultima if you continue to collect Magic Eggs while your Magicite Stocker is full.

Courses

Chocobo GP features course set in locations from across the Chocobo and FINAL FANTASY series. Here’s a glimpse at just a few of the areas you’ll race in - you may well recognise a few!

Chocobo Farm

Cid’s Test Track

Monster Village

Zozo

Alexandria

Big Bridge

Gold Saucer

Chocobo GP Mode: Seasons

In Chocobo GP mode, up to 64 players can compete online to become the ultimate racer. In this mode, ‘Season’ events are held every two months or so.

While a Season is running, anyone who takes part will earn Season score and improve their Season level. They can then obtain special rewards, determined by their level, such as items or gil (which can be spent in the game’s different shops).

Prize Pass

These rewards include new characters, which change with each Season.

In addition, the Prize Pass also increases the amount of gil you earn playing Chocobo GP mode, giving you more money to spend at the in-game store.

Here’s a look at some characters arriving in Season 1:

Cloud Strife joins the race as a Prize Pass-exclusive reward. As a Season One login bonus, all players* can obtain 800 mythril (equivalent to a Prize Pass) for a limited time**, allowing them to obtain Cloud as a level reward of the first Prize Pass.

Squall Leonhart will appear in the line-up at the Gil shop, so all players with the full game can get him while he’s available!

Fortunately, each character from the roster has access to a special ability, which can be activated under certain conditions during the race - that’ll add some drama when your rivals least expect it!

As for the courses themselves, you’ll zip through bright and vibrant scenery that takes inspiration from throughout the Chocobo and Final Fantasy series. We don’t want to reveal everything here, but you’ll race through Cid’s Test Track, the streets of Alexandria, Zozo and the Gold Saucer.

There are lots of different game modes included too, with select modes supporting online and local play. For example, in addition to the story mode, you’ll also be able to set up custom races, do your best to make it through survival races in a bracket-style tournament and more

Engine customization options will be available, as well as local and online multiplayer. Up to 64 players can compete in a bracket-style tournament to determine the racing champion.

Chocobo GP is coming to Nintendo Switch on March 10, 2022, and a a free-to-download version of the game, Chocobo GP Lite, will be available at launch.