In 2022, Square Enix released Final Fantasy-adjacent racing game Chocobo GP with the intention of creating an ongoing live service game. The base game was free, but more characters from the series, courses, vehicles, and more would be added through Season Passes and in-game microtransactions. However, this monetization-heavy model was immediately criticized by fans, and Chocobo GP received generally negative reviews shortly following its launch.
Although some reviewers praised the game as a solid, fun, if not necessarily groundbreaking racer, the microtransactions dragged its score down. The game may have been intended to be Final Fantasy’s answer to the Mario Kart sub-series, but it quickly became clear that the game, at least as it currently stood, would not unseat the long-running Mario Kart. Fans were especially disappointed with what they felt was a “predatory” decision – free mythril (in-game currency) had a time limit and expired if not used within five months, while mythril paid for with real-world money did not.
Square Enix fairly quickly – and quietly – abandoned Chocobo GP. In December, less than a year after the game’s debut, the developer announced that no more major updates would be made, including planned Season Passes and other paid content. A month later, in January 2023, the mythril shop was removed entirely, and players were no longer able to make in-game purchases.
【重要】『チョコボグランプリ Lite』配信終了のお知らせを掲載いたしました。
詳細は、「スクウェア・エニックス サポートセンター」https://t.co/nrM7cnPb1C にてご確認くださいますよう、お願い申し上げます。#チョコボGP pic.twitter.com/pUIKW9qQcT— チョコボGP公式 (@Chocobo_GP) May 17, 2023
Now, with almost no fanfare, Square Enix has relaunched a “full” version of Chocobo GP. This new version is a stand-alone title with all Season Pass and DLC content included (although some characters and courses must still be unlocked using in-game currency, now renamed Gil.) The full version is renamed simply Chocobo GP, where “incomplete” versions of the game had previously been titled Chocobo GP Lite.
This new version of Chocobo GP costs $49.99 on the US Nintendo eShop and 39.99 Euros on the European eShop. It is available only for the Nintendo Switch. Players who currently have the free version of Chocobo GP downloaded on their Switch will be prompted to purchase the full version if they wish to continue playing the game.
What do you think of the new version of Chocobo GP? Do you think this was a good decision for Square Enix, or a poor one? Do you think this game will receive any future updates, or will this be its final form? Comment below and let us know!
