Kingdom Hearts
News, coverage and analysis tracking Kingdom Hearts across the outlets.
Latest coverage
As Kingdom Hearts 4 fans await an update at D23, Disney says the JRPG series is now a $1 billion franchise
Disney announced that the Kingdom Hearts franchise has surpassed $1 billion in revenue, making it one of nine such franchises for the company. This news comes as fans eagerly await updates on Kingdom Hearts 4, with speculation that new information may be revealed at the upcoming D23 panel.
Evening Reading - August 13, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various game reviews including Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. It also notes that Pokemon Bank will end service in February 2027 and discusses potential AI training on Twitch VODs. Additionally, Crimson Desert's Switch 2 port is rumored for early 2027.
Kingdom Hearts is One of Nine $1 Billion Franchises Under Disney
Disney has revealed that the Kingdom Hearts franchise is one of nine under its Games Group portfolio valued at over $1 billion. EVP Sean Shoptaw highlighted the importance of games in Disney's future strategy, mentioning successful partnerships with Epic Games and upcoming titles like Marvel's Wolverine. The company is preparing for a D23 panel on Kingdom Hearts, potentially offering more details on Kingdom Hearts 4, which is slated for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
How to watch the Kingdom Hearts panel at D23 2026
Square Enix will host a Kingdom Hearts panel at D23 on August 15 to celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary. The panel, featuring voice actors Haley Joel Osment and David Gallagher, will be streamed live on the Kingdom Hearts YouTube channel and may include surprises for fans, though Kingdom Hearts 4 news is not guaranteed.
All this Kingdom Hearts talk has me wishing that Bandai would re-release their Keyblade replica so I could live out my…
The author expresses a strong desire for Bandai Tamashii Nations to re-release the Proplica Key Blade Kingdom Chain replica from Kingdom Hearts. This detailed replica, originally released in April 2018, features multiple modes for attack, magic, and key projection, and is highly coveted by fans due to its scarcity and high resale prices. A smaller version was released last year, but the author hopes for a full-sized re-release to coincide with upcoming Kingdom Hearts events and the release of Kingdom Hearts 4.
Square Enix sees big lifts in Q1 2027 profits thanks to game sales and Final Fantasy XIV Evercold’s reveal
Square Enix reported a significant increase in operating income and profits for the first quarter of its 2027 fiscal year, largely driven by sales of HD games and its MMORPG sector. The launch of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and the reveal of the Final Fantasy XIV expansion Evercold were key contributors to the financial boost.
This Switch Game You Might Have Bought Is Now Totally Unplayable
The Nintendo Switch version of Aliens: Fireteam Elite is now unplayable after its cloud servers were shut down on August 5. Developer Cold Iron Studios confirmed the shutdown, which affects players who purchased the game on the eShop. This event highlights ongoing concerns about game preservation and the potential pitfalls of cloud-dependent gaming, especially as companies like Take-Two Interactive predict a future dominated by commercial streaming.
Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 start date
Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4, subtitled Override, is set to begin on August 20, 2026, following the conclusion of Season 3 on August 19. The new season will introduce a new Battle Pass, cosmetics, weapons, map changes, and collaborations, including rumored partnerships with Persona and Kingdom Hearts, in addition to an existing collaboration with Sonic the Hedgehog.
Three Square Enix RPGs That Made the PlayStation 2 What It Was
This article highlights three key Square Enix role-playing games that defined the PlayStation 2 era: Kingdom Hearts 2, Final Fantasy 10, and Dragon Quest 8. These titles represented significant technical and narrative advancements for the company and the genre, with many remaining accessible through remasters and remakes.
Square Enix says art for Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 didn’t use AI
Square Enix has denied that AI was used to create the artwork for the Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3. The company stated that no AI was involved in the creation of the art, which had drawn criticism on social media for perceived errors.
Square Enix Says Controversial Kingdom Hearts Collection Art Was the Result of 'Human Error,' Not Generative AI
Square Enix has stated that the controversial key art for the Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 was a result of human error, not generative AI. The company clarified that no AI-generated materials were used in the artwork.
Square Enix says that weird Kingdom Hearts Collection cover art wasn't AI-generated and "issues" like Donald Duck's uneven number of fingers "resulted from human error"
Square Enix has stated that the controversial cover art for the upcoming Kingdom Hearts Collection was created by human error, not generative AI. The company acknowledged issues such as Donald Duck's uneven number of fingers and muddy clock details, and has implemented updated assets. The collection, which includes Kingdom Hearts I~III, is set to release on October 6 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Exclusive: Disney Insists That Cursed Kingdom Hearts Art Was Not AI-Generated
Square Enix and Disney have clarified that the key art for the upcoming Nintendo Switch release of The Kingdom Hearts Collection was not generated using AI, despite fan accusations. The companies stated that the visual discrepancies, such as Donald Duck's finger count and warped details, were due to human error by the development team. Updated assets have been implemented to correct some of these issues.
Videogame villains who sing at you are the best
This article discusses the trend of villains singing in video games, highlighting examples from various titles like Middle-earth: Shadow of War, Hades II, and Baldur's Gate 3. It argues that unexpected musical numbers from antagonists can be more engaging than traditional monologues, making them memorable and impactful.
Former Disney CEO has no memory of approving Kingdom Hearts
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner has no recollection of approving the development of Kingdom Hearts. His memory was only slightly jogged when informed that the game combined Final Fantasy characters with Disney properties.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner can't remember why he green-lit Kingdom Hearts
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner admitted he cannot recall why he approved the pitch for the Kingdom Hearts video game series. Eisner, now an investor in Delphi Interactive, was questioned about the series' origins after a panel in New York. An anecdote from former Disney Japan employee Shuji Utsumi detailed the experimental nature of the pitch and the groundwork required for its approval.
Disney’s Former CEO Seems To Have No Memory Of Approving Kingdom Hearts
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner appears to have no recollection of approving the creation of the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise. Despite being a pivotal figure in Disney's entertainment ventures from 1984 to 2005, Eisner stated he did not remember greenlighting the crossover title between Final Fantasy and Disney characters, which launched on PlayStation 2 in 2002.
Further proving Kingdom Hearts' existence is a miracle, ex-Disney CEO says he can't even remember why he greenlit the JRPG in the first place
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner admitted he barely remembers greenlighting the Kingdom Hearts franchise and cannot recall his specific reasons for approving the Square Enix collaboration. Despite Eisner's hazy recollection, the series has spanned over two decades and is set to continue with Kingdom Hearts 4.
Quoteworthy
Former Disney CEO Bob Iger stated he does not recall the specific reasons for greenlighting the Kingdom Hearts franchise. The comment was made in a recent interview, sparking discussion about the origins of the popular crossover series.
We Need Physical Video Games
This opinion piece argues for the continued importance of physical video game media, contrasting it with the perceived downsides of an all-digital future. The author highlights personal experiences with physical games and discusses concerns about ownership, preservation, and the impact of digital-only distribution on the gaming landscape.
