All articles tagged with #kingdom hearts
Square Enix has released the Kingdom Hearts Collection I-III on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Priced at $74.99, the bundle includes eight playable games and three cutscene components. The release precedes the upcoming Kingdom Hearts IV, scheduled for 2027.
Kotaku has announced 'Guiding Key,' a year-long communal playthrough of the Kingdom Hearts series, coinciding with the October 8 release of the Kingdom Hearts Collection [1-3] on Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The initiative aims to build momentum for Kingdom Hearts IV, scheduled for late 2027, by having writers and industry figures play through the franchise's history monthly. While the new collection offers a native, non-streaming experience on Switch 2, reviews highlight performance disparities, with Kingdom Hearts III facing frame rate issues on handheld mode despite the overall package being praised for its combat depth and accessibility.
Square Enix releases the Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 on Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 8, 2026. While the older titles in the bundle perform well, Kingdom Hearts III and 0.2 Birth by Sleep suffer from variable frame rates and lack of 120fps support, leading to mixed recommendations.
A fan-made browser port of the delisted mobile game Kingdom Hearts Union χ and its side-story Dark Road has been released, allowing players to experience narrative content crucial for understanding upcoming Kingdom Hearts IV. The port, developed by modder Arena7664, makes Dark Road fully playable but only allows cutscene viewing for the main Union χ story, as the original mobile app required online connectivity. This initiative fills a significant gap for fans who missed the game's 2021 shutdown, providing access to the origins of Xehanort and the Keyblade War, which are central to the broader series lore.
Epic Games launched a major Kingdom Hearts crossover in Fortnite on September 17, 2026, introducing skins for Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Roxas alongside new weapons and events. While the collaboration includes detailed in-game mechanics and a nostalgic trailer, critics argue it compromises the characters' original identities by forcing them into a shooter framework. The release highlights a growing tension between commercial expansion and brand consistency in gaming.
Epic Games confirmed the Kingdom Hearts collaboration for Fortnite will launch on September 17, 2026, alongside the v42.20 update. The event features four character skins—Sora, Roxas, Kairi, and Riku—based on Kingdom Hearts II designs, along with a new 'Kingdom Key' Mythic weapon. A cinematic trailer recreating the opening of Kingdom Hearts II has generated strong positive reactions from fans, though some critics note the inherent absurdity of battle royale mechanics applied to the franchise.
Epic Games confirmed that the Kingdom Hearts crossover arrives in Fortnite on September 17, 2026, as part of the v42.20 update. The collaboration introduces four skins—Sora, Roxas, Kairi, and Riku—along with a new Mythic weapon called the Kingdom Key. The update follows the Gaming Legends season, which previously featured Sonic the Hedgehog and Crash Bandicoot.
Former Disney Interactive concept artist Ken Christiansen revealed that the commercial success of the original Kingdom Hearts game prompted Disney to briefly develop a Super Smash Bros.-style crossover fighting game. The project, initially titled Disney's Action Figure Face Off, aimed to feature characters from franchises like The Lion King and Tarzan battling in a toy-themed arena. Although the game never progressed beyond the prototype stage due to corporate hesitation, it laid the groundwork for later successful crossover titles like Disney Infinity and Disney Speedstorm. Kingdom Hearts IV is scheduled to launch in late 2026, alongside a new animated series.
Disney has greenlit an original anime series based on the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise, set to debut on Disney Channel and Disney+. The project, developed in partnership with creator Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix, features a brand-new story that expands the existing universe. This marks the first time the franchise has been adapted into a television series or film. The announcement was made at the D23 convention, where actor Benjamin Bratt also revealed he will voice a character in the upcoming Kingdom Hearts IV video game, scheduled for release in late 2027.
Walt Disney Studios has officially greenlit an original animated series based on the 'Kingdom Hearts' video game franchise for Disney+ and Disney Channel. The project, developed in partnership with Square Enix and creator Tetsuya Nomura, will feature a brand-new story that expands the existing universe rather than adapting previous game plots. The announcement was made at the D23 fan event in Anaheim, where actor Benjamin Bratt also confirmed he will voice Ernesto de la Cruz in the upcoming 'Kingdom Hearts IV' game, scheduled for release in late 2027. This move signals Disney's continued strategy of leveraging its gaming portfolio to drive new content across its streaming and linear channels.
Disney has officially ordered an original animated television series based on the 'Kingdom Hearts' video game franchise, set to air on Disney+ and Disney Channel. The project, developed in partnership with Square Enix and creator Tetsuya Nomura, will feature a brand-new story rather than a direct adaptation. The announcement was made at the D23 fan event, coinciding with the reveal that actor Benjamin Bratt will voice Ernesto de la Cruz in the upcoming 'Kingdom Hearts IV' game.
Square Enix has officially denied that the controversial cover art for The Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] was created using generative AI. The publisher stated that the visual anomalies, including Donald Duck having an incorrect number of fingers, were the result of human error. Updated assets have been released to correct the most glaring issues, though some minor flaws remain in the new imagery.
Square Enix confirmed that the controversial cover art for The Kingdom Hearts Collection [I-III] was created by humans, not AI, citing 'human error' for visible flaws. The publisher issued a statement after fans noticed distorted details in the key art for the upcoming Switch 2 release, which includes the entire trilogy. While updated assets have been deployed to fix some issues, such as Donald Duck’s hand count, other anomalies remain in the official imagery.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner says he can’t remember why he green-lit the Kingdom Hearts pitch, a memory jogged by talk of its Tokyo pitch. Sega Japan executives warned the project might not clear Disney HQ, but after meetings with U.S. leadership it was approved, helping launch a long-running franchise that now has KH4 on the horizon, even as related projects like Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link were cancelled.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner says he doesn’t recall approving the Square Enix/Disney crossover Kingdom Hearts; a Tokyo pitch and Shuji Utsumi’s account suggest he did approve it but can’t remember why. The piece notes the origin of Kingdom Hearts in Eisner’s era, mentions the KH Collection I–III releasing in October, and references KH4 with possible news at D23.