Square Enix has released a new Chocobo video game for mobile phones, which has taken inspiration from the Final Fantasy games with the bad names. The game is a free title that is meant to promote the upcoming release of Chocobo GP for Nintendo Switch.
Chocobo GP is an upcoming Final Fantasy kart racer that features characters from throughout the series, including Gilgamesh from FF5, Terra from FF6, and Vivi from FF9. Players will be able to race across tracks based on familiar Final Fantasy locations and use the unique abilities of each character to overcome the other racers, in order to take the lead. Chocobo GP will also receive a free-to-play version, called Chocobo GP Lite, which has the first few chapters of the Story Mode, and gives access to the multiplayer modes, though access to the roster will be restricted.
Chocobo GP launches on March 10, but fans can play a spin-off title on mobile phones right now. Square Enix has released a basic 2D racing game for Android and iOS devices, which can be downloaded on Google Play and the App Store. The game seems like a simple enough experience involving a chocobo and a moogle racing on different tracks, but what is most notable about the game is its name. This mobile title is called Chocobo GP', which an official Square Enix press release claims is meant to be read as Chocobo GP Dash.
It's unclear why Chocobo GP' isn't just called Chocobo GP Dash. It's also unclear why it's meant to be pronounced Chocobo GP Dash when it has an apostrophe on the end and not a dash. The game is at least in good company, as there have been many Final Fantasy games with silly names released over the years. The most notable of these is Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy (with the 12 pronounced as Duodecim), which had a demo called Dissidia 012 Prologus Final Fantasy. There is also Final Fantasy Type-o, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Mobius Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy Artniks Dive, the Theatrhytm titles, and Final Fantasy Agito. This is a trend with Square Enix as a whole, with the Kingdom Hearts series also receiving its fair share of nonsensical names.
A game's name doesn't necessarily reflect its quality, and it's hard to be too angry at a free mobile game starring a chocobo. The footage released of Chocobo GP so far has been interesting, and the presence of beloved characters like Vivi is a big selling point for the game. Chocobo GP' doesn't seem as if it will be quite as memorable, at least for any reasons other than its questionable name.
Chocobo GP' is available now for Android and iOS devices.
Source: Google Play, App Store