This information reveals key plot points from the games “Final Fantasy 5″, “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13”, “Final Fantasy Type-0”, and “Final Fantasy Adventure”.
In many role-playing games (RPGs), there’s not a huge emphasis on references to past games like the Final Fantasy series does. Each game has its own set of recurring elements, such as Cids, Chocobos, Moogles, and more. Additionally, the Final Fantasy games often undergo significant changes from one installment to another, which causes these callbacks to develop and adapt with each new release too.
As a dedicated gamer immersed in the expansive world of Final Fantasy for years, I’ve always found myself in awe of the iconic characters that share the stage – none more so than the legendary Chocobo and its adorable counterpart, Moogle. The flying, sun-kissed Chocobo has left an indelible mark on gaming history, evolving into a symbol of speed and reliability within this beloved IP.
Interestingly, even before the cheerful Moogles made their grand entrance in Final Fantasy 2, the Chocobo had already established its presence. Since then, anything associated with the Final Fantasy brand would be amiss without the inclusion of these feathered friends. Throughout my numerous adventures within the Final Fantasy universe, I’ve encountered various iterations of the Chocobo, some more helpful and memorable than others. Given their significant roles in my gaming journey, it seems only fitting to compile a list ranking all the different appearances of this iconic creature.
S-Tier: The Best Chocobo Buddies
- The Chocobo spin-off series
- Final Fantasy 14
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Final Fantasy 7
- Final Fantasy 9
- Final Fantasy 5
- Final Fantasy Tactics: Grimoire of the Rift
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but fondly recall the timeless charm of the Chocobo series. Its distinctive 2D design, iconic enough to be found in plushies and merchandise, is a testament to its enduring popularity. In fact, even the world of Final Fantasy 14 pays homage to this by incorporating Alpha, a Chocobo featured in Stormblood raids, into its design. The smaller, more adorable version of Chocobo is particularly unforgettable and has surely contributed to the success of these side games.
In Final Fantasy 14, there are numerous types of mounts available throughout the main storyline, expansions, and additional content. However, one mount that players can call their own is the Chocobo, which they can also take into battle. Owning a customizable Chocobo that they’ve trained themselves is a cherished dream for dedicated fans of these feathery creatures. Moreover, there’s Gold Saucer Chocobo racing, breeding, and various types of Chocobo pets and mounts to collect. For those who want to go all out, their character can even wear a Chocobo costume.
In various Final Fantasy games, Chocobos have long served as a means of transportation for players. However, in the original Final Fantasy 7 and its upcoming sequel FF7 Rebirth, these feathery companions surprised fans by exceeding expectations about their capabilities.
In FF7, various types of Chocobos with unique skills were introduced, along with racing and breeding. Subsequent mainline games continued to expand these steeds beyond just a means of transportation. Often, players found little use for Chocobos once airships were unlocked in games from Final Fantasy 2 to 6. However, the open-world-like structure in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth makes Chocobos an essential and swift mode of travel throughout the game. Additionally, the game is filled with adorable Chocobo chicks.
Following the shift in perceptions about rideable birds in Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 9 introduced Choco, one of its most renowned party members, who happens to be a Chocobo. What makes Choco special is that he can change color, travel over any terrain, remains with you even after riding him, and plays a crucial role in numerous side quests – investing time with him is undeniably rewarding. On the other hand, Boko from Final Fantasy 5 holds an iconic place as the first Chocobo party member ever. Though he may depart the team at some point, reconnecting with him is a truly unforgettable experience, as players discover that he has found love and started a family.
In the game “Final Fantasy Tactics: Grimoire of the Rift,” the character known as the Chocobo Knight is an exclusive job for Moogles, enabling them to mount wounded wild Chocobos for combat. Although riding a Chocobo isn’t entirely novel, what sets apart the portrayal in “Grimoire” is the wide range of Chocobos it features. Players can come across yellow, green, brown, red, white, and black Chocobos, each with unique skills. Strategically utilizing these special abilities will significantly improve the gameplay experience of “Tactics,” adding a touch of Chocobo charm that fans are bound to appreciate.
A-Tier: Chocobo to Share Fond Memories With
- Final Fantasy 11
- Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13
- Final Fantasy 15
- Final Fantasy 8
- Final Fantasy 10, 10-2
- Final Fantasy Type-0
- Final Fantasy 6
In the game Final Fantasy 14, you’ll find that several systems are inspired by those from its predecessor, Final Fantasy 11. One of these shared elements is the concept of rideable Chocobos in a Final Fantasy MMO. Unlike in FF14, players can own their Chocobo and even breed them, something that isn’t possible with the Grand Company Chocobos from Final Fantasy 14. In Final Fantasy 11, the breeding system is quite detailed, impacting the speed of the mounts. Players strive to nurture Chocobo chicks so they can match the speed of rented ones, thereby saving in-game currency when they achieve this goal.
In the game “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13,” Lightning befriends and rescues a unique Chocobo known as the Angel of Valhalla. This bird, initially appearing to be just an ordinary white-and-green Chocobo, ends up joining Lightning in battle later on. However, it is revealed that the Angel of Valhalla isn’t quite what it seems; it is actually a disguised form of Odin, one of the renowned summons from the “Final Fantasy” series. This makes the Angel of Valhalla the first instance of a Chocobo taking on the role of a traditional summon in the “Final Fantasy” franchise.
Just as the Chocobo theme is a well-known melody to many gamers, Prompto’s version of it is equally iconic within Final Fantasy 15. This game allows Noctis and his party to not only ride but also customize and race Chocobos, among other things. However, the Chocobo Carnival in Final Fantasy 15 falls short for fans who love these birds, as it mainly offers off-road exploration, while the Regalia’s speed provides more frequent travel. Consequently, players might find themselves spending more time in the car than with their avian companions.
In Final Fantasy 8, there’s no breeding system or racing, instead, players can work on solving puzzles to find Chocobos to ride in designated forests. Interestingly, the original PC version of this game also offered a mini-game called Chocobo World, which was previously exclusive to Japan and was playable on PocketStation.
In a comparable fashion, while Final Fantasy 10 and 10-2 may not significantly elevate the adoration for player’s beloved birds, they offer numerous side missions and mini-games that allow players to have fun (or endure) by riding a Chocobo.
Type-0 features an extensive selection of Chocobo breeds, ranging from the robust War Chocobos to incredibly swift Supersonic Chocobos. Regrettably for their admirers, these mounts can perish in combat, and one such Chocobo meets its end along with its master within the narrative of Final Fantasy Type-0.
Back in Final Fantasy 6, I could hop on a Chocobo and gallop across the map, not just be represented by its little sprite. It was cool to ride these birds, but after getting the airship, it wasn’t used much anymore.
B-Tier: Noteworthy Bird Steeds
- Final Fantasy 12
- Final Fantasy 16
- Final Fantasy Explorers
- Final Fantasy 13, 13-2
- Final Fantasy 2, 3, 4
- Final Fantasy Adventure
- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
- Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
In the world of Final Fantasy’s Ivalice, the Chocobo design in this game is notably more eerie compared to others found in the series. While Final Fantasy 12 offers an engaging sprint feature for its Chocobo rides, the somewhat unsettling design and time constraints associated with these rides can diminish their impact compared to other games in the series.
Together with Torgal, Clive reconnects with his old friend Ambrosia, a Chocobo from his childhood, during one of the side missions in Final Fantasy 16. With a kind spirit, Ambrosia spends her time apart from her master safeguarding wild Chocobos from hunters. Although they can be customized, outside of this specific mission where she’s located, Ambrosia and her group primarily function as a means of transportation otherwise.
For two consecutive games in the series Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, there was no appearance of the popular character, Chocobo. However, when game The Crystal Bearers was launched, players were given the chance to ride their own Chocobo, which was a delightful experience for long-time spin-off fans. Despite not offering anything particularly innovative or remarkable, having the option to ride a Chocobo is preferable to not having one at all.
In the game “Final Fantasy Explorers” on the 3DS, you can gather monsters for your squad, such as a Chocobo. This means you can join forces with a iconic yellow bird in your primary team to conquer any foes that cross your path.
As a dedicated fan of Final Fantasy, I’ve always appreciated the inclusion of Chocobos in my adventures, like in Final Fantasy 13 and its sequel, 13-2. However, I must admit that these Chocobos are rather basic mounts, tending to scatter when things get too heated with enemies. In the sequel, they introduced racing, but it doesn’t quite measure up to what other titles in the series offer.
In Final Fantasy 13, particularly in games like Lightning Returns, the focus is on the Chocobos from Cocoon, which sport side feather tendrils adorning their faces. While not as eccentric as the design in Final Fantasy 12, it’s worth noting that these Cocoon Chocobos haven’t made a reappearance in other titles, nor have any major variants been introduced since. This absence speaks volumes about how well-received they were by players.
In the game Final Fantasy Adventure, the character Chocobo appears, but if it gets hurt throughout the narrative, it transforms into a robot version known as “Chocobot,” complete with a metallic limb and distinctive characteristics that leave a lasting impression.
In my opinion, it was the debut of Chocobos in Final Fantasy 2 that established their riding standards. While subsequent games like Final Fantasy 3 and 4 followed suit, they laid a foundation for what Chocobo riding would become. Although later titles have certainly expanded on this concept, I think it’s safe to say that the original trio set the stage for the evolution of these iconic yellow steeds in the world of Final Fantasy.
Among all the beloved spin-offs, the Final Fantasy Tactics series doesn’t delve deeply into the character of Chocobo until Grimoire of the Rift. In the original game, players might come across Chocobo on the map and recruit them with Boco’s assistance in their party. As for Tactics Advance, it features judges and Chocobo Rush, but beyond these elements, not much significant development occurs for Chocobo.
C-Tier: Helpful but Unrideable Chocobo Companions
It’s often implied that Chocobos are a staple in the “Final Fantasy” series, but not all games let players actually ride them. Some titles offer the option to own a Chocobo as a summon, while others, like the recently closed “War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius,” featured the creature as cameos and a key aspect of the EXP system. For a complete list of games where this applies, check below.
- Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings
- Crystal Defenders
- Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 (Reunion)
- Final Fantasy Dimensions 2
- Dissidia Final Fantasy: Opera Omnia
- Theatrhythm Final Fantasy & Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call
- War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
- Final Fantasy 1 (Rereleases have added Chocobo statues and summons.)
- Final Fantasy 4: Interlude & After Years
D-Tier: No Friendly Birds
Occasionally, the portrayal of Chocobo in some games might not offer players much delight. This category is specifically for games where Chocobo is merely a usable item or, like in Dirge of Cerberus, barely mentioned at all. These games are still fun to play, but it’s important to note that there won’t be any opportunities to ride or bond with Chocobos throughout the gameplay experience.
- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time
- Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
- Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
- Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
Honorable Mentions: Friends Lost Along the Way
In essence, every Chocobo, cameo, item, or travel companion plays a significant role in the world of Final Fantasy. Consequently, those games that were not easily accessible are listed last as a subtle nod to their past enjoyment. These titles, however, are mobile games whose services have been discontinued, but they didn’t forget to incorporate the charming Chocobos into the mix regardless.
- Pictlogica Final Fantasy
- Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade
- Final Fantasy Artniks and Artniks Dive
- Final Fantasy All The Bravest
- Final Fantasy World Wide Words
- Mobius Final Fantasy
Read More
- Best Awakened Hollyberry Build In Cookie Run Kingdom
- AI16Z PREDICTION. AI16Z cryptocurrency
- Tainted Grail the Fall of Avalon: Should You Turn in Vidar?
- Nintendo Offers Higher Margins to Japanese Retailers in Switch 2 Push
- Best Mage Skills in Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
- Nintendo Switch 2 Confirms Important Child Safety Feature
- Nintendo May Be Struggling to Meet Switch 2 Demand in Japan
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- Nintendo Dismisses Report On Switch 2 Retailer Profit Margins
- Nvidia Reports Record Q1 Revenue
2025-05-30 22:08