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For a first playthrough, use release order and buy the three-package set: KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind. Square Enix groups them as KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III]. The collection is available natively on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and Windows through the Microsoft Store; HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX is also available natively on the original Nintendo Switch. Physical PlayStation and Switch 2 editions require an internet connection to download additional data.
The correct order for a first playthrough
Kingdom Hearts has several prequels, side stories and movie presentations, but release order remains the clearest way to follow its reveals. Play the entries below in sequence. The list includes games that are presented as HD movies or cutscene compilations rather than as fully playable remasters, because those versions contain story material that connects the numbered releases.
- Kingdom Hearts Final Mix — the original adventure.
- Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories — the bridge between the first game and Kingdom Hearts II.
- Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.
- Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days — supplied in 1.5+2.5 as an HD cutscene compilation.
- Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix.
- Kingdom Hearts Re:coded — supplied in 1.5+2.5 as an HD cutscene compilation.
- Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD.
- Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover — an HD movie.
- Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A fragmentary passage – — a short episode that leads into Kingdom Hearts III.
- Kingdom Hearts III.
- Kingdom Hearts Re Mind DLC for Kingdom Hearts III.
This order lets you encounter the series’ characters, terminology and twists in the sequence in which the original releases introduced them. A chronological-by-story order is possible, but it moves major prequels and retrospective explanations ahead of the games that were designed to establish those mysteries. Use chronology only for a later replay.
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What you receive in each modern package
KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-
This is the largest single package and the place to start. It contains six story entries:
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- Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
- Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
- Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
- Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, presented as an HD cutscene compilation
- Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix
- Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, presented as an HD cutscene compilation
The two compilation presentations are not conventional playable remasters. Treat them as watchable story chapters and continue to the next game when their credits finish. Square Enix describes 1.5+2.5 as an essential collection of the first six stories in the series.
KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
The second package supplies three later pieces:
- Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD, a playable remaster
- Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover, an HD movie
- Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A fragmentary passage –, a short playable episode leading into Kingdom Hearts III
Play Dream Drop Distance before Back Cover and 0.2 if you are following the release sequence above. Back Cover is presented as a film rather than an interactive game, so do not expect a separate gameplay campaign.
KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind
The final package contains Kingdom Hearts III and the Re Mind downloadable content. Finish the main Kingdom Hearts III story before launching Re Mind. Re Mind revisits the finale from a different perspective and adds post-game material; starting it early can spoil the base game’s ending and assumes that you have completed the main campaign.
KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III]
The all-in-one collection combines 1.5+2.5, 2.8 and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind. Buying this bundle gives you the complete modern console and PC story set in one purchase, rather than requiring three separate package transactions. Individual packages remain available for players who already own one part or want to spread purchases across systems.
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Which platform should you use?
| Platform | Current modern option | Delivery | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] | Native digital or physical | Physical editions download additional data over the internet. |
| Xbox Series X|S | Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] | Native digital | The current all-in-one recommendation is the Series version. |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] | Native digital or physical | Physical editions require an internet download for additional data. |
| Windows PC | Collection components, including the all-in-one package where offered | Native Windows versions | Square Enix’s official product page links Microsoft Store, Steam and Epic Games Store listings; storefront availability can differ by region. |
| Original Nintendo Switch | HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX | Native | Availability of older cloud editions and current-store listings should be checked for your region. |
| PlayStation 4 or Xbox One | Earlier individual or cloud versions | Varies by edition | These are not the current native all-in-one recommendation. |
Square Enix’s June 10, 2026 launch announcement says the collection is available natively, rather than through cloud streaming, on current-generation consoles. “Native” means the software runs on the console instead of sending the game video from a remote server. You still need the download required by your edition and the normal account and storage setup for that platform.
How to start on PlayStation 5
- Open the PlayStation Store on your PS5 and search for KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III], or choose the individual 1.5+2.5, 2.8 and III + Re Mind packages.
- Check that the listing identifies the current PS5 edition. If buying a disc, verify the region and seller before ordering; a physical disc from a different region can have different store and DLC behavior.
- Install 1.5+2.5 first. Launch Kingdom Hearts Final Mix from its in-game menu.
- After completing the six 1.5+2.5 entries in the order above, install and open 2.8. Play Dream Drop Distance HD, watch Back Cover, then play 0.2.
- Install Kingdom Hearts III, finish its main story, and then select Re Mind from the title-screen or in-game DLC option supplied by your edition.
A physical PS5 edition is not a completely offline “all data on disc” release: Square Enix states that additional data must be downloaded. Connect the console to the internet before redeeming or installing the package, and leave enough free storage for the required data.
How to start on Xbox Series X|S
- Use the Microsoft Store on the console to find the digital KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III].
- Confirm that the product is for Xbox Series X|S and that Re Mind is listed in the package contents.
- Install 1.5+2.5 and begin with Kingdom Hearts Final Mix.
- Follow the complete order through 1.5+2.5, then install 2.8 and continue with Dream Drop Distance HD, Back Cover and 0.2.
- Launch Kingdom Hearts III only after 0.2, complete the base game, and then start Re Mind.
The current Series package is digital. If your console shows an older Xbox One or cloud listing, read the edition name carefully instead of assuming that it is the native Collection [I~III].
How to start on Nintendo Switch 2
- Search the Nintendo eShop for KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III], or select the physical current-generation edition.
- Check the listing’s region, package contents and whether it identifies Switch 2 support.
- Install or insert the collection, then begin with 1.5+2.5 and Kingdom Hearts Final Mix.
- Proceed through the six 1.5+2.5 entries, then open 2.8 and follow the release order.
- Finish Kingdom Hearts III before launching Re Mind.
Square Enix says the physical Switch 2 edition needs an internet connection to download additional data. Plan the first installation near a reliable connection; the cartridge or card alone does not represent every file required to play the package.
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Can the original Nintendo Switch play everything?
No single original-Switch release is the current native all-in-one answer. HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX is listed as a native Nintendo Switch product, so it covers the first six story entries on that hardware. Older cloud editions and current eShop availability can vary by region, and no current official listing published a native original-Switch version of the full Collection [I~III]. If you own the original Switch, verify the present regional store listing before assuming that 2.8 or Kingdom Hearts III will run locally.
If your goal is the complete modern set on one Nintendo system, Switch 2 is the relevant current-generation option. If you remain on the original Switch, you may need to combine the native 1.5+2.5 release with whatever cloud or regional products are currently offered, rather than expecting one cartridge or download to contain every entry.
How to play on Windows PC
- Choose a Windows storefront: the official product page links the Microsoft Store, Steam and Epic Games Store listings for the collection components.
- Compare the exact package name before purchasing. The three components are 1.5+2.5, 2.8 and III + Re Mind; a listing for only one component will not contain the rest.
- Install the launcher and game files, then begin with 1.5+2.5 and Kingdom Hearts Final Mix.
- Use a controller if you prefer console-style action controls; no official product listing specifies a required controller, keyboard layout or PC hardware target, so check the storefront’s current system requirements for your Windows configuration.
- Continue through 2.8 and Kingdom Hearts III in the same order as on console. Launch Re Mind only after finishing the base game.
Storefront ownership is normally tied to the account used to buy the game. Buying one package on one PC storefront should not be assumed to unlock a separate copy on another storefront. Check the regional listing and the package’s DLC description before checkout, because availability and pricing are not established uniformly across regions.
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What “every Kingdom Hearts game” means here
The modern collections cover the playable console and PC narrative set that Square Enix currently packages, including the two HD cutscene compilations and the χ Back Cover movie. They do not turn every historical browser or mobile entry into a separately playable modern-console game.
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Playable games versus story presentations
- Playable remasters and games: Final Mix, Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Birth by Sleep Final Mix, Dream Drop Distance HD, 0.2 and Kingdom Hearts III.
- HD cutscene compilations: 358/2 Days and Re:coded in 1.5+2.5.
- HD movie: χ Back Cover in 2.8.
- DLC: Re Mind for Kingdom Hearts III.
These formats explain why a collection menu can show more “titles” than the number of fully playable campaigns. The compilations and movie are still important to the narrative sequence, but they use video and edited scenes instead of the original game’s interactive systems.
Older browser and mobile material
Some older browser and mobile entries are represented indirectly or are not included as playable software in these bundles. Current access to delisted mobile services is not established here, so do not promise that the Collection [I~III] supplies a functioning version of every historical service. For a practical modern-console guide, “every game” means every story component Square Enix currently packages for modern systems, including the film and cutscene chapters listed above.
Buying checklist before you pay
- Choose the package: Collection [I~III] is the simplest one-purchase route; buy individual packages only when you already own part of the set or need a platform-specific split.
- Confirm the platform generation: select PS5, Xbox Series X|S or Switch 2 when you want the current native console releases.
- Check Re Mind: the III + Re Mind package and the all-in-one collection include the DLC; a listing for base Kingdom Hearts III alone may not.
- Check physical requirements: PS5 and Switch 2 physical editions require an internet download for additional data.
- Check region and seller: physical stock, digital storefront availability and prices vary by region and date.
- Check format: 358/2 Days, Re:coded and χ Back Cover are video presentations, not full playable remasters.
- Check storage and bandwidth: complete installation data is not guaranteed to fit on the physical disc or card, so prepare an internet connection and free space.
Common problems and how to avoid them
You started with Kingdom Hearts III
You can play it, but its characters and terminology assume earlier entries. Start over with 1.5+2.5 if this is your first series playthrough, then use 2.8 before returning to III. Watching only a plot summary omits the character development that the collection’s order is designed to provide.
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You expected every menu item to be playable
Open 358/2 Days, Re:coded and χ Back Cover as story videos. Their inclusion is intentional: the modern packages preserve their narrative information in edited HD presentations rather than rebuilding the original interactive releases.
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- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
Re Mind is missing
Check the product name and installed add-ons. Re Mind is included with KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind and Collection [I~III], but not necessarily with a base-game listing. On a console, open the game’s add-on or manage-content screen and confirm that the DLC is installed under the same account that owns the base game.
The physical copy will not finish installing offline
Connect the PS5 or Switch 2 to the internet and allow the additional-data download described by Square Enix. Keep the disc or card inserted during installation and do not treat the physical packaging as proof that every required file is present locally.
Your store shows a different edition
Read the platform label, delivery method and package contents rather than relying on a thumbnail. Older individual, cloud and last-generation products can appear beside current native listings. When in doubt, select the listing that explicitly names Collection [I~III] or the specific 1.5+2.5, 2.8 or III + Re Mind package you need.
A practical first-playthrough plan
One purchase, one platform
Choose Collection [I~III] on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 or Windows. Install only the first package initially if storage or bandwidth is limited, and add 2.8 and III when you reach them. This avoids buying duplicate standalone packages while preserving the intended order.
Already own 1.5+2.5
Do not repurchase it automatically. Add 2.8 next, then Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind on the same platform when those editions are available. Verify account and region compatibility before buying DLC or a second copy.
Playing on original Switch hardware
Use the native HD 1.5+2.5 release for the first six entries. Before purchasing the later chapters, check your regional eShop for current cloud or other listings and confirm that your internet connection can support that delivery method. Switch 2 is the native current-generation path for the complete package.
Release-order reference table
| Order | Story component | Package | Format in the modern collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingdom Hearts Final Mix | 1.5+2.5 | Playable game |
| 2 | Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories | 1.5+2.5 | Playable game |
| 3 | Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix | 1.5+2.5 | Playable game |
| 4 | Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days | 1.5+2.5 | HD cutscene compilation |
| 5 | Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix | 1.5+2.5 | Playable game |
| 6 | Kingdom Hearts Re:coded | 1.5+2.5 | HD cutscene compilation |
| 7 | Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD | 2.8 | Playable remaster |
| 8 | Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover | 2.8 | HD movie |
| 9 | Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A fragmentary passage – | 2.8 | Playable episode |
| 10 | Kingdom Hearts III | III + Re Mind | Playable game |
| 11 | Kingdom Hearts Re Mind | III + Re Mind | DLC; play after the base game |
Bottom line for each platform
- Best all-in-one console route: Collection [I~III] on PS5, Xbox Series X|S or Switch 2.
- Best PC route: purchase the collection components on a Windows storefront, checking whether your preferred store offers the combined package or separate components.
- Best original-Switch route: HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX natively; verify regional availability for later cloud or other editions.
- Best story order: play the 11-item release sequence above, treating the three video presentations as required story chapters.
- Best physical-media warning: connect PS5 or Switch 2 to the internet because additional data is required.
Prices, stock and regional storefront availability change, so confirm those details on your platform’s current listing at the time you buy.
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