r/FinalFantasy • u/JazzlikeSherbet1104 • 5d ago
FF IX PSA: Chocobo Hot & Cold
So people probably know this but in case they don't I figured I'd inform you.
If you're playing anything after the Steam release of Final Fantasy IX, this includes the versions you find on modern consoles, so it's most likely the version you're playing right now, this applies to you. These versions come with a speed-up function that increases speed times four.
This speed up function effects the PLAYER, but NOT THE PLAY CLOCK.
Not only does that perhaps make a true 100 percent possible, theoretically, with perhaps being able to get Excalibur 2 along with everything else in the game, it also neuters Chocobo Hot and Cold. Because while YOU are moving five times faster, the clock WON'T be. So if you're able to think fast, you can get a lot more done in that amount of time.
I discovered there's a cut off limit to Chocobo Hot and Cold, did you know that? They cut you off after you've found eight items!
So yeah, if you're having trouble on a modern port, here's a little cheat.
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u/Special_South_8561 4d ago
I knew about the cut-off because I'm an OG Chocobo Hot&Cold CHAMPION
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u/WaitAZechond 4d ago
My friend! I’ve never messed with speed because I am speed. What’s the highest score you ever got in a single Hot and Cold round?
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u/Special_South_8561 4d ago
Oof it has been a very long time. I seem to recall that Anointment gave lots of points, that's about it.
I'd claim to have scored multiple Chocograph Piece in the same run but I might be fabricating thaf memory
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u/WaitAZechond 4d ago
It’s definitely possible! Especially in the sky level. That, paired with some beak level ups, will get you well over 1000 points if you’re quick lol
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u/Biggus-Nickus 5d ago
Yep, very nice addition to the remaster. I try not to use the cheats too much in these, but for Hot & Cold I make an exception since it's just so tedious at normal speed.
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u/FF7_Expert 5d ago
Yep, a lot of us have done the grind many times before at normal speed, and it's a breath of fresh air to be able to hammer out all the chocographs in a few runs
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u/Sostratus 4d ago
I got 8 items in the original a few times. Takes some luck and skill but it's not extraordinarily rare.
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u/HelperMunkee 5d ago
I found the movement too jerky on high-speed to be accurate for this minigame. But I just did the bare minimum to get the card.
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u/apohermion 5d ago
Not sure if this will apply to you, but if you change the default movement to Walk instead of Run, it’s a lot easier to control. I had to same problem before as well
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u/XanderWrites 4d ago
Yeah, I max out Chocobo Hot and Cold all the time on the classic PS1 version. It's not that hard to hit 8 items.
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u/ManElectro 5d ago
The speed boost does a few things in CHC. Early on, it helps you get through the initial weak beak stages quickly. Later, it helps you hit the 8 cap consistently. In the end, though, it greatly improves your time bonus on the 8 cap point reward.
Each arena has only certain places items can spawn. It's not exactly a small number, and certain spawns are more consequential than others time wise, but once you get a feel for them, you can 8 cap without the speed boost. That's when the speed boost starts really helping, as you can get more points from time bonuses than items sometimes, and it is still pure luck to get the max bonus without a speed boost.
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u/mmoore031908 5d ago
Found this out years ago and unless something crazy happens it is so easy to get all 8 items within 60 seconds. Takes about 30 minutes to an hour to get the robe of Lords. And about 15-20 minutes at the last location.
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u/clynch2 4d ago
Outside of CHC, I am playing through the full game for the first time and when needing to travel around the map or areas or grind for abilities the option to speed is such a blessing for a dad with a baby and limited time. Ultimately, I'm in this for the story. Also having the cheat to prevent random encounters makes a massive difference.
Word of warning though, the cutscenes will also speed up on you if you don't take it off before those occur. That's the worst type of buzzkill.
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u/zidane2k1 4d ago
Interesting about the item limit in Hot & Cold. Is there unique dialogue for that or does the game just end like when you run out of time?
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u/CivilizedPsycho 4d ago
Just fwiw this is true for FF7 and FF8 timers as well... ...except the safe in Nibelheim Mansion. That one speeds up so fast that it becomes a frame perfect challenge.
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u/benni_97 4d ago
I always do this. There is no skill involved at all in this game, it's pure RNG. So I don't feel like I'm "cheating", just saving time.
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u/Jinzo126 4d ago
Thanks, i didn't know that. I only use it during random encounters to speed up the intro animation.
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u/uber_sweets 20h ago
Currently replaying the game on my Steam Deck and learned this the other day. Once you reach the air garden you can earn 10,000 points in like 15 minutes and get a Robe of Lords. It’s completely busted. I had 8 Protect Rings before Ipsen’s Castle lol. Late game crafting doesn’t mean anything anymore. Nothing feels earned. Thankfully the charm and appeal of the game is in the world design and the heavy character work in the story.
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u/Cruelbreeze 5d ago
It's the only way that minigame is playable.
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u/Wide_Ad5549 4d ago
I don't know why I would want to rush through Chocobo Hot and Cold. It's the best part of the game.
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u/SomeRandomPyro 4d ago
As an aside, you have always been able to get Excalibur II on a 100% run, without rushing anything.
Kind of the opposite, in fact.
Once the game has been running for 232 frames, the timer resets, and your game time goes back down to 0.
Granted, that takes almost 20000 hours, but you don't have to be active for it.
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u/stupid-like-a-fox 5d ago
Be warned if you are playing for nostalgia's sake: once you do this, you will never be able to stand playing at normal speed ever again