Kingdom Hearts IV
News, coverage and analysis tracking Kingdom Hearts IV across the outlets.
Famitsu’s most wanted games – July 5, 2026 – Xenoblade Genesis makes first appearance, Zelda moves upFamitsu's latest most wanted games chart reveals Xenoblade Genesis making its debut, while The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time climbs the rankings. Pokemon Winds and Waves maintain their usual lead in reader votes. The chart reflects Japanese gamers' anticipation for upcoming titles, with new entries appearing following recent summer showcases.
Could Kingdom Hearts 4 include Star Wars and Marvel worlds? Sora actor once said he'd "never put it past"…Sora's voice actor, Haley Joel Osment, has expressed his belief that Star Wars and Marvel worlds could potentially be included in Kingdom Hearts 4. While the game's recent trailer omitted specific Disney worlds, Osment's comments from a resurfaced interview suggest Square Enix might be open to incorporating these properties. Fans are actively speculating and suggesting various other Disney and Pixar properties for inclusion.
Sorry Kingdom Hearts nerds, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi says sea salt ice cream "isn't a…Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi clarified that the sea salt ice cream featured in the game is not a reference to Kingdom Hearts, but rather inspired by a popular Japanese popsicle called Garigari-kun. Despite this clarification, the article touches upon the ongoing development of Kingdom Hearts 4 and the general nostalgia associated with the Kingdom Hearts series.
Kingdom Hearts Collection [1-3] Nintendo Switch 2 boxart replaced following AI usage accusationsSquare Enix has updated the boxart for Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 on Nintendo Switch following accusations that the original artwork was created using AI. Series creator Tetsuya Nomura's original art was reportedly modified by AI, leading to inconsistencies. The collection, along with other Kingdom Hearts titles, is set to release on October 8, 2026.
Kingdom Hearts Collection cover art quietly changes following accusations of AI generationFollowing accusations of Square Enix using AI-assisted art for the Kingdom Hearts Collection cover, retailers have begun swapping out the original artwork for the Japanese version. The company has not publicly addressed the allegations but appears to be quietly replacing the controversial cover art on its storefronts and with select retailers.
Despite playing a key role in Final Fantasy 7, JRPG icon Tetsuya Nomura says "Kingdom Hearts has become my…Tetsuya Nomura, a key figure in Final Fantasy 7, stated in a Famitsu interview that the Kingdom Hearts series has become his life's work. He expressed surprise at its longevity and the realization of early discussions with Disney. Nomura also teased new developments in the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4, which is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Unreal Engine 5.8 Rendering Could Enhance Switch 2 Games - NintendoFuseEpic Games has released Unreal Engine 5.8, introducing features like Mesh Terrain and Lumen Lite global illumination, which could significantly improve performance for Nintendo Switch 2 games. This update is particularly beneficial for titles utilizing UE5, potentially enhancing visual quality and frame rates on the upcoming console. Epic Games is now shifting focus to Unreal Engine 6.
Nintendo och Zelda-remaken vann tittarkampen under spelveckanNintendo's Direct presentation and the trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake garnered the most viewers during a recent gaming week featuring multiple events. The Nintendo Direct reached 3.8 million concurrent viewers, surpassing Summer Game Fest and PlayStation's State of Play. The Zelda trailer has accumulated 115 million YouTube views as of June 11th, making it the most-watched trailer from the period.- Nintedo och Zelda-remaken vann tittarkampen under spelveckanNintendo's recent Nintendo Direct presentation garnered the most viewers during the early June gaming showcase week, attracting 3.8 million concurrent viewers. The trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake also became the most-watched trailer, accumulating 115 million views on YouTube by June 11th.
Preorders For Kingdom Hearts Collection I-IIIPreorders are now available for the Kingdom Hearts I-III Collection, a comprehensive compilation of the entire saga, releasing on October 8 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The collection includes updated versions of all main titles and bonus preorder content such as exclusive Keyblade skins for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
[Let’s Talk] June 2026 Nintendo Direct reactionsThe June 2026 Nintendo Direct showcased numerous games, including a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Xenoblade Chronicles ports for Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. Third-party titles like Kingdom Hearts 4, Final Fantasy Resonance, and Alien Isolation 2 were also featured, alongside announcements from other events like Sony's State of Play. This influx of major titles has led to a sentiment that Nintendo is finally being taken seriously in the broader gaming landscape.
Shack Chat: What was your favorite reveal from Nintendo Direct June 2026?The Shacknews team discusses their favorite reveals from the Nintendo Direct June 2026 presentation, covering titles like Kingdom Hearts 4, Xenoblade: Genesis, and a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Several staff members expressed excitement for the Ocarina of Time remake, while others highlighted unique announcements like DayZ on Switch 2 and the HD-2D Final Fantasy Resonance.
After Final Fantasy 7 Revelation wraps up, the remake's director wants to work on another JRPG: "Whether it be…Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, expressed his desire to work on another JRPG after the conclusion of Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis. While he is open to creating a new Final Fantasy title or an entirely new intellectual property, he is committed to continuing his work within the JRPG genre.
Kingdom Hearts Collection Switch 2 Estimated File Size RevealedSquare Enix has revealed the estimated file sizes for the upcoming Kingdom Hearts Collection on Nintendo Switch, with the full collection requiring 131GB. Individual titles like KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC) will need 45.2GB. The digital releases are scheduled for October 8, 2026, and Kingdom Hearts 4 is also planned for a future Switch 2 release.
Rating the June 2026 Nintendo Direct, plus which games were missingThe June 2026 Nintendo Direct presentation showcased a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Kingdom Hearts 4 and its predecessors on Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. The broadcast also featured new titles like The Duskbloods and Xenoblade Genesis, along with DLC for Pokemon Pokopia and Donkey Kong Bananza, and updates for various other games. However, notable absences included anticipated titles like Super Smash Bros. and a new Animal Crossing, leading to mixed reactions from fans.
Zelda: Ocarina of Time Nintendo Switch 2 remake was one of the most popular titles of Summer Game Fest 2026, according to dataA remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was one of the most popular titles from Summer Game Fest 2026, according to data from LevelUp. The game ranked second on a list of top-performing titles, behind God of War: Laufey and ahead of Resident Evil Veronica. The remake is scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch in late 2026.
Pour One Out For The D&D-Inspired Visual Novel That Rolled An Unfortunate Direct-Day LaunchGentle Troll's D&D-inspired visual novel prequel, Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker, launched on June 9th, coinciding with a major Nintendo Direct presentation. The game features a new cast of characters and a story set 36 years before the original Tavern Talk, focusing on serving magical drinks and influencing patron quests. It is available on the Nintendo Switch eShop.
God Of War is most popular 2026 game reveal but the biggest trailer is a surpriseAn analytics firm has ranked the most popular game reveals from recent showcases, with God of War Laufey topping the list due to extensive footage and early presentation. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and Resident Evil Veronica followed closely, with Spyro: A Realm Beyond's trailer achieving the most YouTube views.
[OPINION] PlayStation’s Japanese identity is slowly slipping awayThe article argues that PlayStation is losing its distinct Japanese identity, citing recent game announcements appearing on Nintendo Direct, Xbox Games Showcase, and Summer Game Fest. While acknowledging industry shifts towards multiplatform releases, it suggests Sony's focus on Western blockbusters and live-service games has alienated its core fanbase and weakened its relationship with Japanese developers, who are now finding more attention from Nintendo and Xbox.
"I look at AI almost like a toddler": OG Halo artist says game devs relying on AI for direction are in for…Veteran Halo artist Eddie Smith warns game developers against over-reliance on generative AI for creative direction, comparing it to an unmanageable toddler. He argues that AI tools require extensive human oversight and touch-ups, and that foundational creative vision must come from human artists, not AI. Smith's comments come amid ongoing debates about AI's role in game development, citing controversies in titles like Kingdom Hearts 4 and Baldur's Gate 3.