Final Fantasy VIII Chocobo Forests

Chocobo's have again made their return in Final fantasy VIII. You can find them in certain forest's called...well..Chocobo forests. These are those round, dome-like forests scattered throughout the world. To get a Chocobo to ride, you will need to solve the puzzle of the forest you are in. Once you do, you can ride the Chocobo out of there. If you take the time to search for the hidden item, you will not have to solve a puzzle in that forest again. Once you solve each forests puzzle, and found every hidden item, you will be invited to the Chocobo sanctuary. In this section, you will find all the answers to the Chocobo forests, and the way to that little sanctuary.
Your first time	Solving the puzzles
When you first enter a forest, you will come across a guy name Chocoboy. He is the for-most expert on catching Chocobo's and the Chicabo's.He will inform you that to get a Chocobo, you will need a Choco Whis. He will give you this, and show you how to use it for a meager 1,000 Gil. Unfortunately you have to pay to play, so you need to have at least 1,000 Gil to participate. The Choco Whis is actually very easy to use. There are two different modes for the Choco Whis: The Chocosonar, and the Chocoziner. The sonar is used to locate hidden Chicobo locations in the treetops. The faster the ping is on the sonar, the closer you are to a Chicobo. Once you have a location, change the sonar to the ziner. Blow on the ziner, and the Chicobo(s) will fall out of the trees. If you are standing in the wrong spot when you blow the ziner, a Chicobo will drop down and steal your Choco Whis. If this happens, you will have to pay 700 Gil for a new one.	The basic goal of each forest is to call out the Chicobo's, until only one remains. Once you get a single Chicobo, approach and examine it. When you do, a mother Chocobo will appear. At this point, you can either ride off on the Chocobo, or you can try to find the hidden item. By finding the hidden item, the Chocobo's in that forest will become your friend. You will not have to solve that forest again. This also opens the Chocobo mini-game. It is not well known in America, due to it only being released on the Pocket Station. It will show, however, when you save your game from now on. If you leave without finding the item, you will have to do that forest all over again.

	BEGINNER FOREST
	Chocoboy's clue: Try to find a spot where only one falls down.
	This is by far the easiest forest out there. You simply need to hit the spot shown in the picture, and one will drop for you. Don't miss the hidden item here. It is in the location shown in the second picture.

	EASY FOREST
	Chocoboy's clue: You only need to blow the whistle twice.
	There is actually a lot of Chicobo's here, but not to worry. If you took Chocoboy's hint, it will be very easy. Position yourself where Squall is in the first picture, and this will drop three Chicobo's. One where you are standing, and two in front of you. Simply go to one of them, and blow the whistle to put them back into the trees. The hidden Flare Stone is located where Squall is standing in the second picture.

	INTERMEDIATE FOREST
	Chocoboy's clue: Be careful where the sonar reacts
	This is also a pretty simple forest. Start off by using the ziner right in front of Chocoboy. This will get all the Chicobo's into the trees. Now head for the entrance, and use the ziner to get the four back down. Then use it in front of Chocoboy again, to get the other three back into the trees. The hidden Shell and Holy Stone are in the top area, as shown in the second picture.

	CHALLENGING FOREST
	Chocoboy's clue: Chocobowling with four bottles and one ball
	If you want the best ending for this forest, begin right where Squall is standing in the first picture. This will bring down three Chicobo's. Then go right above and a bit to the left, and use the ziner here. This will set up the "pins" for you. Then head over to the center-right, and use the ziner here. This sets up the "bowling ball". Then use the ziner in the left-center area, just to the south west of Chocoboy. You can then sit back and watch the bowling game. The Meteor, Flare, and Ultima Stones are in the far right area.

	EXPERT FOREST
	Chocoboy's clue: Collect on the outer side, then go in.
	In this one, you will want to hit the ziner above the left-most Chicobo. This will drop two out of the trees. Then go to the one right above Chocoboy. Use the ziner, and one will go up, another will fall. Just work your way around the area, until there is only one left. The hidden Flare, Meteor, and Holy Stones are right by the rock in the upper-most point of the screen.

	TRICKY FOREST
	Chocoboy's clue: Search carefully where the sonar reacts
	There is only one lone Chicobo in this area. The sonar range to get him is much smaller than the other forests too. Carefully search the area above and to the left of Chocoboy. When the sonar goes nuts, you've found your spot. Here is where the "tricky" part is. To get the hidden items, you have got to make Chocoboy move. You need to challenge him to a game of Triple Triad. Choose the option: "Forget it, just move". If you search right where he was standing, you will find the Protect and Meteor Stones. Even if you do not want to partake in the Chocobo forest quest, I would suggest doing this forest before Disk 4. This is the forest you will have to go to, in order to get the Ragnarok. It will save you from having to solve the puzzle then.

Once you have solved all the puzzles, you will be invited to the Chocobo Sanctuary. The only way to get there is on the back of a Chocobo. To get there, return to the Intermediate Forest, and hop on a Chocobo. Travel east to the health Peninsula, and follow the shallows south. Head across the channel. Go around the forested area, until you find the beach. Head through the pass, and look for the familiar dome in the woods. If you solved all the puzzles, the Chocobo's will perform a little dance for you. Speak to the Chicobo, and you will receive the Chicobo Card. If you speak to him again, you can get a few Gyshal Greens. Be warned, that the Chicobo will nip 600 Gil from you.
This is about all there is to do in the Chocobo Sanctuary. When you are ready to go, speak to either Chocoboy, or a Chocobo and head out. This wraps up the Chocobo Forest quest.
Congratulations!