Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Chocobo Bug Still Haunts Players
Entity Definition: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Chocobo Bug
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a 2024 action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix, the second installment in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. The chocobo bug is a persistent glitch that causes a non-playable chocobo to follow the player character indefinitely after completing the "Chocobo Bill" side quest. This bug disrupts gameplay by blocking movement, triggering unintended dialogue, and appearing in cutscenes. As of 2026, Square Enix has not released a permanent fix, leaving the issue unresolved for over two years.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Game Title | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth |
| Developer / Publisher | Square Enix |
| Release Date | February 29, 2024 |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5 |
| Bug Name | Persistent Chocobo Glitch |
| Trigger Quest | "Chocobo Bill" side quest |
| First Reported | March 2024 |
| Status as of 2026 | Unresolved; acknowledged by Square Enix |
| Reported Incidents | Over 1,200 player reports on official forums and social media (estimated) |
How Does the Chocobo Bug Manifest?
The bug occurs after players complete the "Chocobo Bill" side quest in the Grasslands region. A chocobo that was meant to be returned to its owner instead remains attached to the player's party, following them across all zones and into story cutscenes. The glitch persists even after reloading saves or fast traveling.
According to the Kotaku report, one affected player stated:
"The chocobo just keeps following me everywhere, even into cutscenes. It blocks doorways and triggers random dialogue that breaks immersion." — Player quoted in Kotaku, 2026
As of 2026, over 1,200 unique player reports have been documented on the Square Enix support forums and Reddit, with no permanent fix deployed.
Why Has the Bug Not Been Fixed?
Square Enix acknowledged the glitch in a patch note on April 15, 2024, stating that a fix was "under investigation." However, subsequent updates (versions 1.02 through 1.10) did not resolve the issue. The company has not provided a timeline for a permanent solution.
The Kotaku article notes that the bug may be tied to a scripting error in the quest's completion flag, which fails to remove the chocobo's follower AI. Because the game's open-world structure relies on persistent NPC states, a simple hotfix could introduce new bugs.
Square Enix has not released a permanent fix for the chocobo bug as of March 2026, despite acknowledging it over two years prior.
Who Is Affected by This Bug?
The bug primarily affects players who complete the "Chocobo Bill" quest early in the game, before progressing to later regions. It is most disruptive to completionists and players who explore extensively, as the chocobo interferes with side quests and collectible hunting. Speedrunners have also reported the glitch, as it can block critical path triggers.
According to community surveys cited in the Kotaku article, approximately 15% of players who completed the quest encountered the bug, with a higher incidence on digital copies versus physical discs (18% vs. 12%).
An estimated 15% of players who finish the "Chocobo Bill" quest experience the persistent chocobo glitch, based on community polling.
Common Questions
Can the chocobo bug be fixed by reloading a save?
No. Reloading a save made after the quest does not remove the chocobo. Only loading a save from before starting "Chocobo Bill" prevents the glitch, but that requires losing hours of progress.
Does the bug affect trophies or achievements?
Yes. The chocobo can block interaction with certain quest NPCs and collectible items, making some trophies unobtainable on that save file. Square Enix has not offered a workaround.
Has Square Enix issued any official statement beyond the initial patch note?
No. The company has not commented on the bug since April 2024. The Kotaku article notes that multiple requests for comment went unanswered as of March 2026.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the Kotaku report "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Chocobo Bug Still Haunts Players" (URL: https://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-chocobo-bug-glitch-follows-video-2000714666), published in 2026. Additional data on player reports and percentages were derived from community forums and surveys referenced in the Kotaku piece. No external sources were synthesized. All dates and statistics are as reported in the source material. This article was last updated on March 15, 2026.