Playing Kingdom Hearts feels like stepping into a time tunnel. My emotional ties to the franchise are so strong that I vividly remember my very first encounter with Sora and his friends. It was back in 2004 when I saw Kingdom Hearts on TV for the first time. A neighbor, who had a brand-new PS2, invited me over to play. One day he inserted the Kingdom Hearts disc, and in that moment, my world changed forever.
Now, 22 years later, here I am reviewing the definitive collection of Kingdom Hearts. Life truly comes full circle.
A Vast Kingdom
When I said this was the definitive collection, I wasn’t exaggerating. It brings together all three previously released compilations into one massive package. Here’s what’s included:
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX
- Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
- Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories
- Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
- Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
- Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep Final Mix
- Kingdom Hearts Re: coded
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
- Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD
- Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage –
- Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover
Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind DLC
The main difference between the [1~3] Collection and the All-in-One Package is the inclusion of the Re Mind DLC. If you already own the Integrum Masterpiece, this is essentially the same bundle. In light of this, I understand there may be debate about the absence of a free upgrade path. And honestly, I agree—the upgrade should have been free. At the very least, Square Enix is offering discounts to players who already own one or more of the games included in the collection.
With this new bundle, players can access nearly all the lore before the arrival of Kingdom Hearts 4 in 2027. The only exception is Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory; the rhythm game isn’t included here. In my view, this package caters both to newcomers and veterans eager to revisit every detail before Sora’s story reaches its conclusion.
For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, being able to play the franchise natively—without cloud versions—is a major victory. Cutscenes look sharper thanks to improved resolution, and audio has been enhanced, particularly in older titles like Kingdom Hearts 2. And, well, having access to all the titles in a native and portable way is simply incredible. Kingdom Hearts is a very special franchise to me, and the feeling of being able to “carry it with me” wherever I go is something truly remarkable.
Even the experience of watching Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover is remarkable on the Nintendo Switch 2. The console’s screen and audio quality provide a pleasant viewing experience, and I strongly recommend watching the film if you’re new to the franchise. It explores crucial events in the lore from the perspective of the Foretellers. Just don’t watch it before playing the first two games and Dream Drop Distance, or you’ll end up overwhelmed by the sheer amount of details and terminology in the mythology.
Made With Heart
I was impressed by how well the games run on the Nintendo Switch 2, both in handheld and docked modes. Higher resolution and anisotropic filtering make textures cleaner, eliminating the blurry look of distant structures and vegetation.
The handheld experience was particularly satisfying. Colors are vibrant, and framerate stability is generally solid. My performance tests focused mainly on Kingdom Hearts 3, the most demanding title in the collection.
The game doesn’t reach a stable 60 FPS, instead fluctuating between 45 and 54 FPS. Indoors, performance is smoother, but drops occur during battles with multiple enemies and heavy visual effects. Outdoors, the situation worsens slightly, though it never becomes unplayable. Given the sheer number of effects on screen, these dips are understandable.
Even during Attraction summons and chaotic battles, the console holds up well. Docked mode makes stutters more noticeable, and depending on your TV, colors may appear less vivid. Overall, handheld mode provided the better experience.
Controls are responsive on both the Joy-Con and the Pro Controller. In Kingdom Hearts 3, you can select Critical Mode—the hardest difficulty—right from the start. Since Normal Mode is too easy, being able to select Critical Mode from the beginning is nice.
Another nice touch is the inclusion of sound sliders, allowing players to adjust music and sound effects independently. And let’s not forget the exclusive Long Night Keyblade, a stylish bonus that reflects the Switch 2’s color scheme beautifully.
I would have been happy if they had taken the time to update the character and environment models, enhancing the textures in the older games and giving the collection a fresher, more premium feel—but that didn’t happen.
Kingdom Hearts Collection [1~3] Review Verdict
The Kingdom Hearts Collection [1~3] represents the definitive saga compilation, with thoughtful improvements that enhance the experience across all titles. It is without question the best entry point for newcomers, and with Kingdom Hearts 4 on the horizon, it’s also the perfect way for veterans to revisit the story before Sora’s journey concludes. The Nintendo Switch 2 ports perform admirably, finally freeing players from the limitations of cloud versions.
If you’re into Kingdom Hearts—or just want a fun new action RPG—this collection is definitely worth checking out.
Kingdom Hearts Collection [1~3]
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Kingdom Hearts Collection [1~3]
Ruan está cobrindo a indústria dos games desde 2017, trazendo várias informações sob a ótica do mercado e reviews após o 100%. Quando ele não está escrevendo, está jogando algum…
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