Chocobo GP

Description

Chocobo GP serves as a spiritual successor to Chocobo Racing (1999, PlayStation), bringing back the Final Fantasy‑themed mascot racer concept with modern mechanics and online play. To this day it has remained a Switch exclusive. The game’s roster of characters includes Chocobo, Vivi, Steiner, and Terra, each with unique abilities. Tracks are themed around iconic series locations such as Alexandria, Zozo, and the Gold Saucer.

The gameplay follows the familiar kart racing formula of drifting, boosting, and using items, but with a twist: racers can collect Magicite during races, granting spells like Fire, Blizzard, and Aero that can be levelled up for stronger effects. One of the headline features was the Chocobo GP Mode, an online battle royale style tournament with up to 64 players competing in elimination rounds until a single winner remained. The game also offered a story mode, local multiplayer, and customisation options.

Reception has been mixed. Despite praise for the charm, character variety, and inventive use of Final Fantasy elements, the launch was marred by controversy over its aggressive monetisation system, including season passes and micro-transactions. Square Enix later adjusted these systems in response to player feedback. Ultimately any game in this genre will be compared to the venerable Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, particularly on Switch. Despite its flaws, Chocobo GP is a competent title that provides a colourful experience that attempted to revive the mascot racer genre within the Final Fantasy brand.