Chocobo GP Reviews
Chocobo GP fares better than most Mario Kart competitors, delivering a rough-around-the-edges experience that’s still fundamentally fun most of the time.
Chocobo GP does not stand out from the crowd, because although I clearly lacked something in the game itself, I will probably return to this production from time to time. For sure, this is a good proposition for players who have already exhausted MK8D in all ways and need a little breather.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Chocobo GP is a frantic but fun experience that Final Fantasy Fans will simply adore. It’s a nice surprise for the Nintendo Switch that may have borrowed from other games but still has enough originality to offer a unique experience.
It’s safe to say that Chocobo GP doesn’t out-do Mario Kart, but then I don’t think anyone would ever really expect it to. Most players, myself included, will simply choose this title because they love Final Fantasy, not because they think it’s going to be GOTY material. It’s a fun kart racer that you can easily while away your time with, but ultimately brings nothing groundbreaking to the genre. If you’re looking for a Final Fantasy fix, it might not quite hit that sweet spot for you, at least, not until you hand over your hard-earned gil for the season pass.
It's possible that Chocobo GP could become a respectable kart racer in the future, and the free-to-play version means everyone can try it out without needing to spend any cash. As it stands, the game needs work, as the current product just isn't fun. The spells and abilities need to be toned down and the tracks need redoing or replacing. There is no shortage of kart racers on the market, especially on Nintendo Switch, and there are much better alternatives available right now than Chocobo GP in its current state.
Chocobo GP takes up the speech abandoned by SquareSoft at the end of the 90s and brings to light the official kart racer dedicated to the Final Fantasy franchise. It resurrects the concept of Story Mode, expands the roster of characters and makes some changes to the basic idea - introducing an interesting declination of online multiplayer.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despite the fact that Chocobo GP looks nice and the many characters are original with unique abilities and own vehicles, the game is otherwise mainly borrowed from the other tracers. Fortunately, there is good borrowing and all the elements present are well worked out. The game only lacks levels and that will eventually cause a flat tire, just before the game overtakes the competitors.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Chocobo GP is a game that tries to reclaim its place. It seeks to introduce some new concepts in the genre despite not reinventing anything at the playable level. As often happens in this genre so marked, it is a game that stands out for its fun and also has the incentive of having emblematic characters that can make the balance between whether or not to throw yourself into the game in case of curiosity.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Chocobo GP wants to be Mario Kart with Final Fantasy characters, but neither Cloud nor Squall prevent square Enix's game from falling far short in virtually every aspect, proving that making an entertaining and balanced go-kart game is no easy task.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Chocobo GP has a lot of decent ideas with its Magicite attacks, and a large roster of recognisable characters that each have their own unique ability. You can play a good chunk of the game for free, and Square Enix promises Season Pass DLC, but racing as Cloud Strife won’t shift the bad taste from unimaginative race tracks Chocobo GP has to offer. The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass may not be far away, and this won’t do the Final Fantasy kart racer spin-off any favours, but the free version of Chocobo GP offers a mediocre alternative to Nintendo’s crown jewel with plenty of modes to enjoy, even if the road is a little on the bumpy side.
Chocobo GP copies the work of better kart racers while fundamentally missing the mark on what makes them great. It delivers entertaining Final Fantasy fanservice that's at least two decades too late for the one audience that might still find the fun it and tacks on microtransactions to boot. It's functional and sometimes fun but otherwise not worth your time.
Square Enix delivers an adorable game, but almost everything here is borrowed from other sucessful games that do it much better.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It’s worth noting that this review is written for the game as it stands at launch. There’s every possibility it will get much better, or much worse, as elements like the Season Pass are implemented. I can only hope the former’s the case, as right now, Chocobo GP stands as an enjoyable-but-basic racer that I’d only recommend to Final Fantasy fans.
Chocobo GP is a very valid alternative to Mario Kart, designed for all Final Fantasy fans who own a Nintendo Switch. The real problem of Square-Enix's new production does not lie in any technical aspect of the title, but simply in simply carrying out the task of re-proposing a historical IP, leveraging on nostalgia rather than trying to propose a different formula from the usual.
Review in Italian | Read full review
While Chocobo GP feels very much like a Mario Kart clone, it would do the Nintendo game a major disservice to call these titles equal. Square Enix has a polished game here that races rather well, and its surprising difficulty will challenge racing veterans. However, it is just too cluttered with junk to enjoy. Its lacking story mode can be overlooked easily enough by most, but its limited local co-op will make it a no-go for plenty. But if you're strictly in this for moogles and magic, well – Chocobo GP might not be so bad.
It's hard to stay mad at Chocobo GP, though, even when you're hit with what feels like an endless barrage of magic. The game's just too bright and cheerful. Obviously, your mileage is going to depend on whether you're a fan of Chocobo. Not just Final Fantasy, but also this specific series of cute mascot characters. If you are, though, you couldn't ask for a more loving treatment. The expansive roster, the adorable presentation, and the quality kart racing mechanics will combine to give you something that you just might prefer over Mario Kart. The latter might be a bigger and tighter racing experience, but Chocobo GP has a killer weapon up its sleeve that makes all the difference: Chocobo.
Chocobo GP will likely be an entertaining diversion from a game like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe rather than a full-on rival.
The Chocobo GP is a good idea, but the implementation has some serious problems.
Review in Greek | Read full review
While it can be complete chaos most of the time, Chocobo GP is still a fun and charming kart racer at its heart. There's enough charm here to combat the frustration and bland tracks, and the multiple modes will keep you interested.
Chocobo GP does little new, and is trailing the pack compared to similar games. However, it brings Final Fantasy fan service to racing wonderfully and still remains a fun time, with a lot of potential growth via the planned Seasons.