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For a first playthrough, follow the series’ release order rather than rearranging its story into in-universe chronology. The sequence below follows MeriStation’s July 4, 2024 guide; it is an editorial recommendation, not an order prescribed by Square Enix or Tetsuya Nomura. Playing in release order helps avoid encountering important story events earlier than intended.
Kingdom Hearts games in recommended first-play order
- Kingdom Hearts — In current collections, this is Kingdom Hearts Final Mix.
- Kingdom Hearts: Re:Chain of Memories
- Kingdom Hearts II — In current collections, this is Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.
- Kingdom Hearts Re:coded — The collection includes its story scenes.
- Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days — The collection includes its story scenes.
- Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep — In current collections, this is Birth by Sleep Final Mix.
- Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance — The collection includes Dream Drop Distance HD.
- Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep –A fragmentary passage–
- Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover
- Kingdom Hearts III
This sequence is based on MeriStation’s play-order guide, updated July 4, 2024. The order is guidance for newcomers, not a rule from the publisher.
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How the collections fit the order
Square Enix groups many entries into three collection releases. A bundle’s displayed sequence is not necessarily the recommended sequence for a first playthrough, so use the list above to decide what to play next.
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| Collection | Included games or story presentations | Where they fit in the recommended order |
|---|---|---|
| KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX | Kingdom Hearts Final Mix; Re:Chain of Memories; 358/2 Days story scenes; Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix; Birth by Sleep Final Mix; Re:coded story scenes | Play Final Mix first, then Re:Chain of Memories, then Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix. After that, play Re:coded’s story scenes before 358/2 Days’ story scenes, followed by Birth by Sleep Final Mix. |
| KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue | Dream Drop Distance HD; 0.2 Birth by Sleep –A fragmentary passage–; χ Back Cover | Play in that order after Birth by Sleep. |
| KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind | Kingdom Hearts III and the Re Mind add-on | Play Kingdom Hearts III after the earlier entries. The cited play-order guide’s list ends at Kingdom Hearts III. |
Square Enix’s official collection information lists the bundle contents. The key distinction is that 1.5+2.5 presents the 358/2 Days and Re:coded story materials in a different sequence from the recommended first-play order.
#1 Best Overall
![KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RqOuv+TBL._SL160_.jpg)
- KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a double-sided poster.
- A value packed bundle featuring three collections: KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC).
- This product is also included in other bundle sets. Please ensure you do not purchase the same content more than once.
- Platform-exclusive Keyblade "Midnight Blue" included with purchase!
- To play the physical version of KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III], an internet connection and additional data download are required.
Why release order is the safer first-play choice
Kingdom Hearts is a connected action role-playing series, not just a numbered trilogy. Square Enix describes it as a series developed and published under Tetsuya Nomura’s direction, created in collaboration with Disney, and centered on Sora traveling with Donald and Goofy through Disney worlds. Non-numbered games and story presentations contribute to the larger narrative, so skipping or rearranging them can change when you learn key events.
The official series overview describes it this way: “KINGDOM HEARTS is a series of action role-playing games developed and published by Square Enix under the direction of Tetsuya Nomura.” Square Enix’s series overview does not prescribe a play order. The recommendation to use release order comes from the dated editorial guide above, not from a quoted creator or publisher instruction.
Rank #2
- Join Sora, Donald, and Goofy on their journey across the Disney universe
- Contains 9 epic KINGDOM HEARTS experiences; Number of players: 1 player; ESRB content: Fantasy violence, mild blood, mild language, mild suggestive themes, use of alcohol; Genre: Action and adventure; Role playing
- Play through the KINGDOM HEARTS series from the very beginning
- All games remastered in HD
Where to find the collections and what to check
Square Enix’s Japanese collection page lists KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I〜III] for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Microsoft Store on Windows, and also lists Steam. The individual compilation pages also list Steam and Epic Games Store alongside supported console and Windows editions. These are listings on Japanese official pages; availability can differ by region, platform, and SKU. Check the store for your country and the exact edition before buying.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The Japanese product page gives October 8, 2026 as the release date for KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I〜III] and links to Amazon.co.jp. It also states that the packaged version requires an internet connection to download additional data. That statement does not establish that the package is fully playable offline. Confirm the current listing, seller, platform version, and stock with the retailer.
Rank #3
- The HD remastered compilation brings six beloved KINGDOM HEARTS adventures to the PlayStation 4
- KINGDOM HEARTS HD 15 + 25 ReMIX gives fans the opportunity to experience all of their favourite moments from the series so far for the very first time on one platform
- The full list of titles included in KINGDOM HEARTS HD 15 + 25 ReMIX are KINGDOM HEARTS HD 15 ReMIX including KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX, KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories, KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days (HD remastered cinematics)
- KINGDOM HEARTS HD 25 ReMIX including KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX, KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep FINAL MIX, KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded
- KINGDOM HEARTS is a series of role-playing games created through the collaboration of Disney Interactive and Square Enix
- Confirm that the purchase includes the collection volumes you need, especially 1.5+2.5 and 2.8.
- Check whether the specific edition includes Kingdom Hearts III and Re Mind.
- Choose a platform and format available in your region.
- If buying the packaged collection, account for the stated internet download requirement.
The official collection and lineup details are on Square Enix’s collection page and its Japanese lineup reference; check the retailer’s current regional listing for purchase details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A new collection of the first three Kingdom Hearts titles in gorgeous high definition including the following
- Kingdom Hearts 1 Final Mix
- Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
- Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (HD reMastered cinematics)
Rank #4
![Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] | Digital | Nintendo Switch 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sE+HIRncL._SL160_.jpg)
- Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III]
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