Kingdom Hearts IV
News, coverage and analysis tracking Kingdom Hearts IV across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Famitsu’s most wanted games – August 30, 2026 – Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave overtakes Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Famitsu's latest most wanted games chart shows Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave has overtaken The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the second spot, likely due to recent Nintendo Direct announcements and upcoming launch hype. Castlevania: Belmont's Curse also debuted on the list at number 30.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Directors Say More Details Will be Released After “a Bit of a Gap”
Kingdom Hearts 4 directors Tetsuya Nomura and Tai Yasue stated that more details will be released after a gap, with the game still on track for a late 2027 release. Development is in its final stages, and the team is considering the best time to share new information. Square Enix is also planning something for the franchise's 25th anniversary next year.
Kingdom Hearts 4 script "almost twice as big" as KH3's, Tetsuya Nomura says: "There were more parts that I wanted to include, but I was already pushing it"
Tetsuya Nomura, director of the Kingdom Hearts series, stated that the script for Kingdom Hearts 4 is nearly twice as long as that of Kingdom Hearts 3, despite still having parts he wished to include. Voice recording for the Japanese cast is complete, with the English cast around 60-70% finished. Nomura also mentioned that the game will feature a selective number of Disney worlds to maintain a manageable scope.
Kingdom Hearts 4 "will be ready well before the release date," Tetsuya Nomura says, as the JRPG's development is going smoother than it has "in the history" of the series
Tetsuya Nomura and Tai Yasue, key figures for Kingdom Hearts 4, have expressed strong confidence in the game's development, stating it is proceeding smoother than any previous entry in the series and is expected to be ready well before its late 2027 release window. They assure fans that the game will not be delayed and development is on track.
An animator from Pixar praised Kingdom Hearts 4 saying “There’s no other game that’s this close to a movie”
An animator from Pixar has praised Kingdom Hearts 4, stating that no other game comes as close to a movie as this upcoming title. Tetsuya Nomura and Yasushi Yasue discussed the game with Famitsu following a panel at Disney D23.
Square Enix says Kingdom Hearts 4 has “the most detailed worlds we’ve ever created” but amount will be limited, script almost twice as long as KH3, more
Square Enix developers revealed that Kingdom Hearts 4 will feature the most detailed worlds ever created, though the total number will be limited. The game's script is nearly twice as long as Kingdom Hearts 3, and voice recording is progressing well. Development is reportedly going smoothly, with the game planned for a late 2027 release on Nintendo Switch 2.
Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 pre-orders have landed on PS5 and Switch 2, and the goofy box art has thankfully been…
Pre-orders are now available for the physical Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, launching October 8. This collection includes games from Kingdom Hearts Final Mix up to Kingdom Hearts 3 + Re Mind, with a release date for Kingdom Hearts 4 set for late 2027. Purchasers through US Amazon will receive exclusive in-game keyblades and a poster, while other retailers offer a reversible inlay with a 25th-anniversary design.
Disney says there’s so many things they want to do with Kingdom Hearts
Disney has expressed significant interest in expanding the Kingdom Hearts franchise, with plans for Kingdom Hearts 4 set to release in 2027, coinciding with the series' 25th anniversary. An animated series is also in development, indicating a busy future for the beloved series.
Disney isn't stopping with Kingdom Hearts 4 and a new anime, as "there are so many things we want to do"…
Disney is planning significant expansion for the Kingdom Hearts franchise beyond the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4 and a new animated series. Nana Gadd, Disney's director of games, stated that there are many more initiatives planned, with the animated series being just the first step. This suggests a broader strategy to leverage the franchise across various media platforms.
Weekend Discussion - August 23, 2026
This Weekend Discussion article from Shacknews covers various topics including a Sudoku puzzle, a discussion about Dune, watches, MREs, obscure weapons, and coffee. It also highlights recent Shacknews articles about The Duskbloods, NBA 2K27, Borderlands 4, and speculates on the plot of Kingdom Hearts 4. The article also mentions Sam Chandler, Head of Guides at Shacknews, and reiterates Shacknews' policy against using AI in content creation.
Shack Chat: What do you think the plot of Kingdom Hearts 4 will be?
Several Shacknews staff members offer their speculative theories on the plot of the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4, which is slated for a 2027 release. The discussions touch upon themes of reality versus fiction, potential crossovers with other franchises like Marvel and The Simpsons, and the series' complex lore progression.
What games would you play in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber?
Many gamers struggle with large backlogs of unplayed titles, leading to a desire for more time to enjoy them. The article uses the Dragon Ball universe's Hyperbolic Time Chamber as a metaphor for a place where time moves slower, allowing for extensive gaming sessions. The author reflects on personal gaming habits and the challenge of keeping up with new releases while trying to finish existing games.
Coco Opens Kingdom Hearts 4 To These Potential Disney Worlds
The article speculates on potential Disney worlds that could be featured in Kingdom Hearts 4, drawing thematic parallels between the game's focus on memory and the afterlife with films like Coco, Soul, Star Wars, and Black Panther. It suggests that these worlds could align with the game's narrative progression and Sora's current 'situation' between life and death.
Kingdom Hearts 4 lead Tetsuya Nomura plays 4D chess, potentially drops hints his canceled Final Fantasy game could…
Tetsuya Nomura, the lead for Kingdom Hearts 4, has potentially dropped hints about a connection between the upcoming game and the canceled Final Fantasy Versus 13. These hints appear through subtle references in clothing brands featured in NEO: The World Ends With You, a fashion designer's name appearing in both games, and striking visual similarities between Kingdom Hearts 4's city guards and airships and those from Final Fantasy 15, which evolved from Versus 13.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Features Coco Since It Fits Sora’s Story The Best, Says Nomura
Kingdom Hearts 4 director Tetsuya Nomura explained that the inclusion of the world from Disney's Coco was chosen because its themes of the Land of the Dead best fit Sora's story progression. The game is slated for a late 2027 release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, with no planned delays. Co-director Tai Yasue also confirmed King Mickey will be a playable character with puzzle-based gameplay distinct from Sora's adventure.
Kingdom Hearts 4 features Pixar's Coco because Tetsuya Nomura thought it "would be the best world" for…
Tetsuya Nomura, lead designer for Kingdom Hearts 4, explained that the Pixar film Coco was chosen as a world in the upcoming RPG because its themes best aligned with Sora's story progression. Nomura emphasized that world selection is based on synergy with the main narrative. The trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4 features elements from Coco, hinting at narrative connections related to memory and forgetting.
A Kingdom Hearts Movie? It’s Not Ruled Out, Disney Exec Says
Disney executive Jared Bush stated that a Kingdom Hearts movie is not impossible, following the success of the franchise and news of a Disney+ TV show. The Kingdom Hearts series has generated over $1 billion in sales for Disney. Additionally, Kingdom Hearts 4 was confirmed for a late 2027 release, featuring Donald Duck and characters from Disney's Coco.
Evening Reading - August 19, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including updates on Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Tekken 8, and Subnautica 2. It also highlights the launch of a new studio by former Arkane leads and mentions upcoming titles like Kingdom Hearts 4 and The Witcher 4. The article includes links to reviews and discussions on other internet content.
Kingdom Hearts 4 references a bit of OG lore so obscure I wouldn't have blamed Tetsuya Nomura for forgetting it
The article highlights how Kingdom Hearts 4 references an obscure piece of lore from the original Kingdom Hearts game concerning Heartless behavior towards living beings. This detail, noted by fans and confirmed by Ansem's Report 4, was observed in the D23 trailer where Heartless only reacted to the living protagonist Miguel in the Land of the Dead. The author praises Tetsuya Nomura and the development team for their commitment to preserving even the most obscure lore elements in the upcoming sequel.
The road to Kingdom Hearts 4 goes through Melody of Memory
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory serves as a crucial story recap for players looking to catch up before Kingdom Hearts 4, which is slated for a late 2027 release. While the first half recaps the series' narrative from Kairi's perspective, the latter half reveals critical plot points about Sora's disappearance and the world of Quadratum, directly setting up the events of Kingdom Hearts 4. This rhythm game, exclusive to the Epic Games Store, is essential for understanding the upcoming sequel.
