Kingdom Hearts play order – How to get into Kingdom Hearts

Kingdom-Hearts-PC-Release-Announcement

It wasn’t long ago that Square Enix announced that the entire Kingdom Hearts franchise is making its way to PC on the Epic Games Store. Now that the wait is finally over, a series as memetically complex as KH leaves some newcomers confused. With more spin offs than main titles, what’s the Kingdom Hearts play order? I’ve got you covered.

READ MORE: Kingdom Hearts Final Mix: How to Get The Ultima Weapon

Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix

Kingdom Hearts Box Art
Credit: Square Enix

Contrary to what some may assume, Kingdom Hearts isn’t a series you play in chronological order, but rather, release order. As such, the first game on your (long) list is the original game: Kingdom Hearts. On most any modern rerelease from PS3, 4, or PC, the updated Final Mix version is the one featured.

Final Mixes are basically just updated rereleases that were Japanese only for over a decade, and are objectively better games than the original releases.

Enjoy the fun, simple and clean Disney and Final Fantasy crossover in the original title before the series became a jumbled mess!

Kingdom Hearts RE: Chain of Memories

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Box Art
Credit: Square Enix

The second game released in the series was Chain of Memories all the way back on the Game Boy Advance… which means next to no one but die hard fans played this before KH2 on the PS2.

The version on all modern collections is the 3D remake for PS2, upscaled to HD. The fanbase is divided on which version is better, but it’s usually cheaper to just play the remake featured in the bundles.

Chain of Memories begins a trend in Kingdom Hearts of a non main series game being absolutely crucial to the main plot, and that will continue, well, forever.

Kingdom Hearts 2: Final Mix

Kingdom Hearts 2 Cover Art
Credit: Square Enix

Next up is the poster child of the series and general fan favorite: Kingdom Hearts 2! While the base game was a bit lacking, Final Mix improved upon it so much its not even funny.

With stellar combat and an interesting yet fun story, KH2 tends to excel among other titles in the franchise for fans, and it’s not hard to see why. This is also the last game where the series’ story is “simple.”

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Box Art
Credit: Square Enix

After KH2 we have the Nintendo DS exclusive, 358/2 Days, ironically pronounced “three five eight days over two.” In future collections this has been made into a HD cutscene movie, and unless you’re an absolute die hard, stick with the movie.

Days takes place during KH1, Chain of Memories, and a little before KH2 taking the role of Roxas and his jobs in the Organization XIII. Ultimately, it’s probably the game most liable to be skipped, but if you do decide to play or watch it, this would be when you do.

Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep: Final Mix

Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep Box Art
Credit: Square Enix

Getting tired of the Kingdom Hearts play order being only half over and the third game in the series isn’t on it yet? Yeah, us too back in 2010.

Birth By Sleep is originally a PSP game and a prequel to the entire series taking place 7-10 years before the events of KH1. As such, the player naturally finds out a ton about the lore of the series, and the antagonist’s major goal. Without a doubt this is one of the most important games story wise, so don’t even think about skipping it.

Kingdom Hearts RE: Coded

Kingdom Hearts Coded Box Art
Credit: Square Enix

Kingdom Hearts RE: Coded is a cutscene movie remake… of a DS exclusive which was already a remake of… a mobile game. I love Kingdom Hearts.

This is the other game most liable to be skipped really, as it really doesn’t do much to advance the story or characters, but I suppose the cutscene movie is worth a watch if you’re in for the long haul.

Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance

Kingdom Hearts DDD Box Art
Credit: Square Enix

The first Kingdom Hearts title with 3 in the name, Kingdom Hearts 3D dropped on the, well, 3DS in 2012. While the game can be played on 3DS still, and is up to personal preference, it is on the Epic Games Store as well if you wish to have the full series on one platform.

Much like BBS, DDD is one of the most vital games in setting up the plot for the series, and will leave you more than simply confused if you skip it.

Kingdom Hearts 0.2 A Fragmentary Passage

KH 0.2 Title Screen
Credit: Square Enix

This isn’t a full release per se and more of a PS4 tech demo released about a year or two before Kingdom Hearts 3 finally came out.

It both showed off the new gameplay engine and was a minor story about one of the BBS protagonists and what they’re doing between BBS and KH3. Ultimately its pretty short, only a few hours, so may as well play it.

Kingdom Hearts 3

Kingdom Hearts 3 Cover Art
Credit: Square Enix

And finally, for the NINETH game in the play order, Kingdom Hearts 3. S m i l e : ). Well, fans had to wait over 10 years between KH2 and 3, and I feel SO bad for any sap who just remembered 2 in their childhood and bought 3, skipping all spin offs.

KH3 is currently the most recent game in the series besides the rhythm game spin off: Melody of Memories. It aims to completely finish of the first major arc of the Kingdom Hearts series, and we have little clues as to what will come next.

READ MORE: Final Fantasy XIV: New DPS Job?

Phew… All the Kingdom Hearts games in the main series on PC and technically I didn’t mention everything. The mobile and browser games are also canon, and now relevant to KH3 as well. Though really, just use the wiki for that info. With this list, you have the full Kingdom Hearts play order lined out. Go wild, gamers, and enjoy this amazing crossover series before its plot makes you lose yourself completely.

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