In a time where reboots, revivals, and sequels are all the rage, few are more surprising to see thanChocobo GP, the long requested sequel to Square Enix’s cult classic 1999Final Fantasykart racing spin-offChocobo Racing. Square Enix has announced today thatChocobo GP, which was first revealed during the September 2021 Nintendo Direct, will release in two forms in March 2022, one of which is free-to-play, a first for the publisher with one of its console offerings.
Chocobo GPis a racing spin-off of theFinal Fantasyseries based around the lovable little birds fans have surely familiarized themselves with by now. The kart racer blends traditionalMario Kart-like racing with magic items inspired byFinal Fantasy’s spells, and includescharacters and creatures from all of theFinal Fantasyseries. So far,Chocobo GPhas revealed that it will include Chocobos, Moogles, White Mages, Black Mages, and the beloved characters Vivi and Steiner fromFinal Fantasy 9, which is often thought to be one of the most under-represented games in the series.
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Square Enix revealed today thatChocobo GPwill release digitally on Nintendo eShopon June 13, 2025, and that the game will launch in two forms. There will be the premium version, simply titledChocobo GP, and a free-to-play version calledChocobo GP Lite. This version will include the single-player story prologue for players to experience as well as local and online multiplayer races if they have a Nintendo Switch Online membership.Chocobo GP Liteplayers can also access the game’s 64 player elimination mode if they are being hosted by an owner of the full version.
The publisher has also revealed a new trailer, which showcases new modes such as the Story Mode, Time Attack, Series Races, and Custom Races. Series Races aresimilar toMario Kart’s Grand Prix Mode, in which players can play solo or competitively against others in a series of four races. Custom Races allow players to play with custom rules, allowing for all sorts of mayhem to ensue.Chocobo GP Liteplayers will also be able to transfer their save data to the full game should they choose to upgrade. The price for the full version has not been released yet.
Fans of the originalChocobo Racingfor the PS1will be happy to know that the future looks bright for theFinal Fantasykart racer, but whether it can compete with the likes ofMario KartorCrash Team Racingremains to be seen. Either way, Square Enix seems to have confidence in the game, a surprise change of heart considering it canceled the original sequel to the PS1 original in development for the 3DS back in 2013.
Chocobo GPwill release exclusively for Nintendo Switch on Jul 08, 2025.
