For a first playthrough, it is safest not to skip any story entry. Use the official collection order: HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX, then HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, then Kingdom Hearts III with Re Mind. If you want to skip gameplay, you can watch the included story-film compilations for 358/2 Days and Re:coded instead of playing those versions.
Can you skip Kingdom Hearts games and still follow the story?
You can skip playing some entries, but skipping their story material is a different choice. Square Enix groups the series across three collections and describes the first collection as containing the first six stories, while the next includes three key adventures leading toward Kingdom Hearts III. That makes “not numbered” an unreliable test for whether a game is safe to miss. The official grouping is a practical route, not a definitive scene-by-scene play order.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RqOuv+TBL._SL160_.jpg)
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KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $74.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Kingdom Hearts All in One Package (PlayStation 4) | $53.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far (PS4) | $23.49 | Buy on Amazon |
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Square Enix describes the series as a collaboration with Disney and frames it as “the story of Light overcoming Darkness with the power of Friendship.” Its central story follows Sora, a Keyblade wielder, traveling with Donald and Goofy through Disney worlds. Square Enix’s series overview gives that broad premise, but it does not spell out everything a player loses by skipping each title.
The safest order: follow the collections
1. Start with HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX
Play or watch the contents in this collection before moving on. Square Enix lists Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, 358/2 Days as an HD cutscene compilation, Birth by Sleep Final Mix, and Re:coded as an HD cutscene compilation. The publisher calls it a collection of the first six stories. See the official collection contents.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
2. Continue with HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
This collection contains Dream Drop Distance HD, the χ Back Cover movie, and 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A fragmentary passage –. Square Enix describes these as three key adventures leading up to Kingdom Hearts III. Check the official HD 2.8 listing.
3. Play Kingdom Hearts III, then Re Mind
Square Enix describes Re Mind as additional content and the other side of the tale unfolding during the climax of Kingdom Hearts III. It is grouped with the game in the current all-in-one collection. The official series page lists the bundle.
Rank #2
- The compilation includes the following games: KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days (HD Remastered cinematics) KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep Final MIX KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded (HD Remastered cinematics)
- KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 FINAL CHAPTER PROLOGUE KINGDOM HEARTS Dream Drop Distance HD KINGDOM HEARTS 0.2 Birth by Sleep –A fragmentary passage– KINGDOM HEARTS χ Back Cover (movie)
- KINGDOM HEARTS III
Which entries can you watch instead of playing?
In HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX, 358/2 Days and Re:coded are represented as HD cutscene compilations. They let you take in story material without playing the original versions. χ Back Cover in HD 2.8 is already a movie, rather than a playable game. The other two HD 2.8 entries, Dream Drop Distance HD and 0.2 Birth by Sleep, are distinct experiences included in the collection.
This is the clearest way to save gameplay time without treating a story entry as irrelevant: use the film format where the collection provides it, and keep the other entries in the route. The official collection descriptions establish what is included and its broad placement; they do not provide a title-by-title account of every plot dependency or all mobile-service story arcs.
Rank #3
- Includes Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 Remix & Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
- Catch up on the story leading up to Kingdom Hearts III
- Relive the magical adventures of Sora, Donald Duck, Goofy and friends
Which collection should you use?
| Option | What it includes | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III] | The three groups above, including Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind. | Players who want the broad route in one physical or digital bundle, if it is available for their platform and region. |
| KINGDOM HEARTS – The Story So Far | HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX and HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue; it does not include Kingdom Hearts III. | Players considering the older PS4 collection who are prepared to obtain Kingdom Hearts III separately. Check current availability. |
Square Enix announced KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III] for October 8, 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Microsoft Store on Windows. The announcement says availability may vary by regional store. Its physical version requires an internet connection to download additional data, so check the local listing and connection requirements before buying. Read Square Enix’s collection announcement. The older PS4 bundle’s contents are listed on its PlayStation Store page; current stock or availability may differ.
Quick Recap
How to choose your route
- Want the safest story path? Follow the three collection groups in order and do not omit their story material.
- Want less gameplay? Watch the 358/2 Days and Re:coded cutscene compilations instead of playing those original versions.
- Choosing a bundle? Check your platform and local store, whether you want playable versions or included story films, and whether you need Kingdom Hearts III and Re Mind in the same purchase.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
