Kingdom Hearts
News, coverage and analysis tracking Kingdom Hearts across the outlets.
Latest coverage
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.
Kingdom Hearts made assembling Final Fantasy 10's dev team "difficult" after Tetsuya Nomura and other JRPG veterans were assigned to the Disney crossover, lead says
Final Fantasy 10 producer Yoshinori Kitase revealed that assembling the development team for the game was challenging due to the concurrent development of Kingdom Hearts, which involved key staff like Tetsuya Nomura. Nomura, who was the director of Kingdom Hearts, also served as character designer for Final Fantasy 10, leading to divided attention and the need to bring in new talent or promote existing staff for core development roles.
What's the best summer-themed videogame track?
This article discusses the best summer-themed video game music tracks, highlighting examples like Destiny Islands from Kingdom Hearts, Ginger Island from Stardew Valley, New Bodhum from Final Fantasy 13-2, and Seaside Resort from Tekken 8. The author expresses a preference for more subtle tracks that evoke nostalgia for late summer nights over overtly tropical themes.
Kitase says it was hard building a team for Final Fantasy X due to Kingdom Hearts
Square Enix director Yoshinori Kitase revealed that assembling the development team for Final Fantasy X was challenging due to key staff members, including Tetsuya Nomura, being occupied with the Kingdom Hearts franchise. This situation impacted the resources available for Final Fantasy X's production.
What’s Next For Disney Games? D23 Is About To Tell Us
Disney will provide updates on its video game projects at the upcoming D23 expo in August 2026. Panels will cover the 25th anniversary of Kingdom Hearts, new content for Disney Dreamlight Valley, and upcoming Star Wars titles like Star Wars: Zero Company and Star Wars: Galactic Racer. Insomniac's Wolverine game is also expected to be present, though likely without mature content due to the family-friendly nature of the event.
Kingdom Hearts will have a big presence at a Disney fan event next month, but you probably shouldn't get too excited about Kingdom Hearts 4
Kingdom Hearts will be featured at the upcoming D23 Disney fan event, focusing on the series' history rather than new reveals for Kingdom Hearts 4. While a trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4 was recently shown, featuring gameplay and confirming its release on the Nintendo Switch 2, the D23 event will feature a 'deep dive' into the franchise's past with "creative minds" and "character voices."
Kingdom Hearts to be featured at D23 this August
Square Enix will host a panel on the Kingdom Hearts series at the D23 event on August 15th. The panel will offer a 'deep dive' into the franchise, with details about potential announcements yet to be revealed.
Kingdom Hearts event confirmed for D23
Square Enix has announced a special 'Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts' event at D23 on August 15, 2026, celebrating 25 years of the series. While it's unclear if Kingdom Hearts 4 will be showcased, the event promises insights from the creative minds behind the franchise. The Kingdom Hearts collection is also set to release on Nintendo Switch in October.
Rumour: Next Fortnite season to feature Crash Bandicoot, Sonic, Mega Man, Kingdom Hearts and more
A rumour suggests that the next season of Fortnite will feature a crossover with several gaming legends, including Sonic, Mega Man, Crash Bandicoot, and Kingdom Hearts. While Epic Games has not officially confirmed these details, the season is expected to heavily feature established intellectual properties.
How to Play the Kingdom Hearts Games in Order
This guide outlines the correct order to play the 13 games in the Kingdom Hearts series. Understanding the chronological or release order is essential for following the complex narrative across multiple platforms.
Epic Games makes peace with ex-Fortnite insider as huge leak lawsuit comes to an end
Epic Games has settled its lawsuit against former contractor Hayden Cohen, who was accused of leaking unannounced Fortnite content. The agreement permanently bans Cohen from sharing Epic's confidential information and does not include any public payment. The leaks reportedly revealed dozens of upcoming collaborations and development plans.
