Chocobo
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More info on Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book
In the latest update for Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book, some info relating to the game's battle system and characters is revealed. The game is to feature 3 playable characters in (the obvious) Chocobo, Shiroma (a White Mage) and Chromo (the Black Mage responsible for bestowing the book upon our yellow-feathered protagonist). The game's villain is Bebazu, who is sealed within the magical book in the game's title of the same name.The battle system for the game is card-based. Using cards causes them to be gone for good, however after you win each battle you are gifted with new cards, so your deck is very much a renewable resource. It is also said that there will be character cards, like the ones present in Final Fantasy VIII, so discretion is certainly advised.See also: Wark! Chocobo coming to the DS Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book gets Japanese date Checking out Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book
Checking out Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book
It's always a good time for cute and fluffy chocobos, right? Though there's still no word of a release outside Japan for Chocobo to Mahou no Ehon, we can't resist bringing you these fresh new screens. We've tucked a few more away after the jump for your viewing pleasure.The game hits shelves in Japan in mid-December. And if the screens aren't enough for you, you can always go watch the trailer again. Kweh!
Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book trailer
Everyone loves the chocobo. And why not? He's got his own theme music, he's the best ride in all of Final Fantasy, and then there's the whole "Wark!" business. No one can resist the fluffy giant chicken. You think you can? Oh, brother, we have something for you. It's the new Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book trailer, and it is cuteness personified. No matter how crusty or curmudgeonly you think you are, this trailer is guaranteed to make you murmur, "Aww," at least once. And hey, these days, it's hip to be sensitive. Just let it out, man. We won't tell. The trailer is embedded after the jump, and it really is just as precious as ... well ... things that are extra precious, like babies and gold rings with scribbles. Even malboros, one of the most fearsome enemies in the FF-verse, seem totally cuddly, despite our memories of their bad breath.
Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book gets Japanese date
While there is still no word if the US will see the Square-Enix Final Fantasy spin-off, Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book, those who plan on importing it anyway will be pleased to hear that it got a release date. Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book will reach Japanese shelves December 14, 2006. With the web site up and screenshots a plenty, we hope to hear more about the title coming to the States. Square certainly is showing the love for gamers this year. This Fall has been a Final Fantasy overload and now they are hitting us with spin-offs. Square, we love you. [Via Go Nintendo]
Tons of Chocobo site updates [Update 1]
Besides finding a few really silly and sad pictures of people dressed up as chocobos, we also discovered that Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book's site has a lot of updates. Little yellow chocobo supported by a stick will take you on a tour of his world and even introduces you to a few friends. Yes, the site is still in Japanese so unless you speak it fluently, you're in the same boat as we are. There are a ton of images to look at and a nice yellow wallpaper to help you go down to crazytown after staring at it for a good five minutes. While there is still no word on whether or not this will reach the States, we still feel that another addition to our FF chocobo spin-off collection wouldn't hurt. [Update 1: Oh, those pesky typos!]
Square Enix loves the DS
At this month's Tokyo Game Show, Square Enix is gonna be all about the DS. Half the playable titles they plan to show are for the Nintendo handheld. Now that's what we call a coup. Look for lots of news and video later this month from Chocobo no Mahou Ehon (Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book), Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker, and Final Fantasy III.We know you're especially excited about that last, since we never bring you Final Fantasy III news. Ever.
Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book Screens
Go Nintendo has three or so screens from Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book. The game definitely has an interesting look to it and you would be better off translating the original Japanese site the images are from to get a better feel for what it's all about. In spite of all the spin-offs from Final Fantasy, we can't help but want to play this one. There have been games based around the chocobo's before and we are excited to see where they are taking these lovable creatures next.
A bounty of DS scans
Gotta love those fans who are so dedicated when it comes to sharing their pretty-shinies with the rest of us. These Famitsu scans of Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book surfaced at NeoGAF amidst a bevy of other drool-worthy images. Luminous Arc and Ninja Ja Ja Maru-kun: The Pen is Mightier than the Sword are also featured, along with Chocobo, at Go Nintendo. The original post boasts some peeks at Harvest Moon and Gundam titles as well. Surely there's something to rev every motor there![Thanks, creamsugar!]
Chocobo's Magic Picture Book starter site
A pair of big blue eyes and some feathers falling from random places is all you get from Square's teaser site for Chocobo's Magic Picture Book. If you don't read Japanese you can at least poke around Chocobo's eyes and listen to his theme song until you want to scratch out your own eyes. But don't sharpen your fingernails just yet! We can tell you that the site does say that its official launch date is in September. Did someone say Tokyo Game Show appearance maybe? See also: Wark! Chocobo coming to the DS
Wark! Chocobo coming to the DS
Can't get enough super golden chocobo? If the greens-loving birds are your favorite aspect of the Final Fantasy franchise, then the upcoming Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book is sure to hit your must-have list. Does that name sound like a '60s rock song to anyone else? "Fantasy will set you free ...." There aren't yet many details on gameplay or story, but the premise is this: an intrepid young chocobo and his trainer, Shiroma, dive into the title's magic picture book to save their friends from the ever-nefarious black mage. Apparently many of the canon characters from the Final Fantasy series will make an appearance. Sure, there'll be moogles everywhere, kupo, but we're hoping for Wedge and Biggs. The game, which will be released in Japan this winter, reportedly uses the same 3D engine as Square Enix's other DS offerings.
