Chocobo GP, a sequel to the cult-classic Chocobo Racing game on the PS1, seeks to bring more adorable kart racing action to the Nintendo Switch. Players will be able to choose between a large roster of characters from the Chocobo game series, alongside familiar faces from other games. Only Final Fantasy 9 characters have shown up thus far, but judging by the bonus racers from the PS1 original, there may be more Final Fantasy characters to unlock. Race tracks are available from throughout the franchise, and players can pick up stronger Magicite to use against their fellow competitors.
Many are excited for Chocobo GP, especially because Mario Kart 9 has still not been announced. This kart racing game promises to fill its niche for the time being, and that may lead players picking it up when they wouldn't have otherwise. Fortunately, Square Enix has announced that Chocobo GP will be available in both a paid and free "lite" version. Lite versions have been used for various games over the past few years, serving as a sort of elevated demo that allows for unlimited play and even online features, but limited progression. This is a great way to get Chocobo GP into more players' hands, and the content available with both versions is nothing to sneeze at.
What is Available in the Premium Chocobo GP
Chocobo GP is set to be a mode-rich experience, featuring a number of attractions to keep players going alone and with others. The main event is Story Mode, a series of races and cutscenes divided up into chapters. Chocobo and his friends are racing to get a wish granted, and they'll make more friends along the way. This is the main way to unlock new content, such as characters and courses. These unlocks can be put to use in the Series Races, an arcade mode that sends players through four tracks in a row to compete for the highest score. This can be played in multiplayer using split-screen or online options. Time Attack is also available, with the option to race against one's own ghost or another players'.
Chocobo GP wouldn't be much of a racing game without the option to race against other players directly, and the remaining modes provide that opportunity. Custom Races let the player set the number of tracks in a series and the availability of Magicite for solo, online, and local matches. Generic on and offline races are also available, but the last online mode provides some extra excitement. Chocobo GP Mode allows participants to compete against sixty-four other racers online in a knockout-based tournament. The rewards for winning will change with every season pass, somewhat similar to Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled's battle pass-based Grand Prix events.
What is Available in the Lite Chocobo GP
Players who try Chocobo GP Lite will find that it's not quite as light on content as its name would suggest. Single and multiplayer modes will be available for owners, even if some of their features will be locked. For example, the Story Mode will be present, but players can only race in the Prologue. Local and online multiplayer will be available for regular races, and lite players can connect with games hosted by premium players. It isn't clear if Series Races are available for this version, however.
Chocobo GP Lite owners also have access to the Chocobo GP Mode, and can compete in tournaments alongside paid players. It's not clear how the promised rewards and season passes will affect this version, but it's likely that lite players who win tournaments will at least have their victories saved. Any items, currency, and presumably tournament rewards will be able to be transferred to the full game. That's quite a lot of features available to Chocobo GP Lite players, and one could theoretically play it for a long time without spending a dime. The accessibility of this free-to-start version should endear Chocobo GP to many players once the game releases next year.
Chocobo GP will launch for the Nintendo Switch on March 10, 2022.
