How to Chocobo Race in FF7

Play "Final Fantasy VII" until you reach the Gold Saucer. Take the tram from the town of North Corel. Leave North Corel through the west exit to find the tram. Step onto the tram to access the Gold Saucer. Follow the story sequence as you are imprisoned and ultimately brought back to the Gold Saucer to race. Win the race by holding down "L1" and "R1" on your PlayStation and "9" and "3" on your PC for unlimited stamina. After this, you will have to get your own Chocobo if you want to race at the Gold Saucer.

Travel to Billy's Chocobo Ranch, southeast of Kalm. You pass by it immediately after leaving Kalm and Midgar, following the events of the main storyline, or you may fly back once you have obtained the airship later in the game. Talk to Billy inside the barn. He will offer to help get you across the dangerous marshes by selling you the Chocobo Lure Materia. Buy the Chocobo Lure Material for 2,000 gil. Buy some greens from Billy, as well as a stable to finish out your purchases. Equip anyone in your active party with the Chocobo Lure Material.

Look for bird footprints outside. They look like a black path of footprints on the grass in the world map. Walk back and forth over them until you get into a battle that involves a Chocobo bird. Use a green as soon as the battle starts and defeat the enemies that accompany the Chocobo to capture it. You now have a racing mount.

Return to the Gold Saucer. Walk to the transportation room, directly left of the main entrance of the Gold Saucer. Jump into the transport tube labeled "Chocobo" to get to the racing area. Run up the stairs and enter the Chocobo racing room. Speak to Esther on the left side of the room to start a race. Choose which Chocobo you want to use to race from the list that pops up. Pick between a short or long course.

Hold "R1" and "R2" on the PlayStation, or "1" and "3" on the PC, to make your Chocobo go faster without using your ride's stamina. Hit "Square" on the PlayStation and "." on the PC to speed up. Hit "X" on the PlayStation and "0" on the PC to slow down. Press "Circle" on the PlayStation and "Enter" on the PC to make dash. Use the D-pad on the PlayStation and "4" and "6" on your PC to move your Chocobo from side to side. Hold "R1," R2," L1" and "L2" on the PlayStation and "1," "3," "7" and "9" on the PC to gradually increase your stamina.

Pace yourself. Avoid using up all your stamina early in a race. Boosting too much at the start will leave your Chocobo tired and lifeless before the race is finished. Alternate between speed bursts and keeping pace. This saves you stamina and gives you a good chance to go for a last-minute burst when you begin nearing the finish line.