Product Info

Platform

Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X

Publisher

Square Enix

Developer

Square Enix

Series

Kingdom Hearts

Genre

RPG

Players

1

File Size (Minimum)

131 GB

Purchase From

eShop

PSN Store

Microsoft Store

Steam

Home » Kingdom Hearts Collection [I～III] (Review)

Kingdom Hearts Collection [I～III] is the latest collection released specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox on PC. It covers the series’s core storytelling in one package that fans can jump in and spend hours into before Kingdom Hearts IV releases in 2027.

Your Keyblade to Go

Kingdom Hearts first appeared in the fall of 2002 and touched many players’ hearts. The series continues its strong presence with how many spin-offs and main installments have been released over the years. The series released various collections that made it challenging for players to not double dip. It doesn’t stop, but the latest collection feels more straightforward to those looking to own all available games on the latest consoles, including the first time on the Nintendo Switch 2.

The last collection released for the Nintendo Switch, Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece, was supposed to be the best collection, but its cloud-only data made it a tough pill to swallow for owners on the Switch, especially the price point of $99.99 USD. Square Enix tries it again and delivers a much better delivery for the Nintendo Switch 2, calling it Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] at a cheaper price of $74.99 USD. The game is installed on your console, and after jumping into the collection, it’s a new magical ride that Switch 2 owners will want to experience.

The collection offers three software bundles, each priced separately at $39.99 USD: Kingdom Hearts – HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + ReMind (DLC). If you plan on at least playing one game per bundle, you are better off paying the collection price to save cost. Having all three bundles loaded onto your Switch 2 will take up around 131 GB of storage space.

The main drawback I have with having these software bundles is how they are presented on the Switch 2, taking up three spots on your home screen instead of one spot as a single collection.

The collection could have displayed all titles in one menu, with any game not installed or not purchased shown as disabled. Maybe that’s asking a lot, but a simple and straightforward presentation will make the first step of experiencing the series a little easier.

A New Experience to Take on the Heartless

Having the opportunity to test drive the collection at PAX West, it showcased a promised experience for those wanting to experience the game on the handheld mode. After diving into each title, it was certainly a joyful time reminiscing about the days of playing the Kingdom Hearts titles through the years as you took down the heartless and other notorious enemies. Playing on the Switch 2’s handheld was even better, as the animation and gameplay felt smooth and load times were rapid. Having to find a save point to exit to the software’s main menu to jump into another game was a bit of a hassle. Quitting the game and reloading the software is a quicker route if you are ready to move on to a different title. I’m glad to play these games downloaded natively on the Switch 2 and boot up fast.

While many of the games were originally released on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable (PSP), and Nintendo DS consoles, the graphics do show some age of their polygon shapes but are more crisp and colorful. The opportunity to revisit spin-off titles and main titles is excellent. However, some of the original flaws, like the camera control and gummy ship mini-games, still continue to exist. They were never really dealt with overtime in other collections, and I don’t expect them to be fixed, nor any new quality-of-life features like the DLC in Kingdom Hearts III are added.

Regardless, their storytelling and action role-playing game mechanics make it a unique franchise to experience. And with its mix of characters from Square Enix and Disney, it makes it even a sweeter treat, a collaboration no one thought would work when first launched. Add a stellar soundtrack and theme songs performed by Hikaru Utada, it’s a cherry on top. It still holds up as a fun experience to enjoy once more for those new to the series. With new visuals and details of Kingdom Hearts IV, fans are excited to jump back in, and releasing on the Switch 2 was the perfect time from Square Enix.

There are a couple original games that never made it to be replayed. Nintendo DS games, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded, were turned into HD remastered cinematics where players will watch cutscenes and read dialogues. It’s unfortunate we still don’t have these titles as playable games, and seeing how Capcom was able to handle the collection for Mega Man Star Force Legacy and how the Nintendo 3DS title Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance was an HD remaster for the 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue collection, something could have worked, even if more time was needed.

While we didn’t get the mobile/browser game Kingdom Hearts Union χ, we are treated to a different version called Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover. This version isn’t the same as the playable game but instead focuses on the “behind the scenes” of what was occurring in Union χ as a one-hour CGI movie. Being an online-only game that shut down back in 2021, χ Back Cover is the best we’ll have to explore to fill in some of the gaps that occurred before the main Kingdom Hearts story. I wouldn’t hold your breath for a rebuild of the mobile game in future collections.

Kingdom Hearts III ran very well on my Switch 2, and I couldn’t stop playing. There were moments the framerate did seem to dip during combat with large amounts of background visual effects, such as burning buildings in the background. Outside of that, it didn’t hinder the experience, and I continued to enjoy it. The third installment does introduce more mechanics and more flashy visuals, taking advantage of the PlayStation 4’s power at the time of its development. You can’t skip these flashy scenes for those who are worn out of the overused animations. With Collection [I～III] it also came with the DLC, ReMind for Kingdom Hearts III, giving players the option to adjust the game’s challenges, such as one-hit kills, gummy airship at level 99, and always performing an excellent rating on every Remy’s cooking challenge.

With a large collection of games to play, players should be ecstatic to be able to play the entire series installed on their Nintendo Switch 2, despite some of the once playable games turning into cinematic movies.

Final Hearts

Kingdom Hearts Collection [I～III] on the Nintendo Switch 2 brings the heart of the beloved series to the Nintendo Switch 2 in one magical package. The collection is a positive experience in handheld mode, running smoothly, loading quickly, and feeling fantastic, making it a great way for veterans and newcomers to experience the franchise once more.

A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher for this review. Kingdom Hearts Collection [I～III] launches on for the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Fans can visit the game’s official website for more information.