Which KINGDOM HEARTS game should I play first?

Excited to start (or restart) the KINGDOM HEARTS series? Take a look at our suggested order for playing through the games.
By Duncan Heaney

KINGDOM HEARTS is having a bit of a moment.

During the recent 20th Anniversary event in Japan, we unveiled some exciting new games, including mobile title KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link and KINGDOM HEARTS IV!

KINGDOM HEARTS 20th Anniversary trailer

With all this excitement buzzing around and multiple games available to play on modern platforms including mobile, it’s natural that some gamers unfamiliar with the series would be interested to dive in… but where should they start?

To that end, we’ve put together a suggested playing order so you can jump right into this wonderful Disney and Square Enix crossover series.

But first, let’s address another big question:

Sora, Donald, Goofy and Flynn Rider in KINGDOM HEARTS III

Is there a KINGDOM HEARTS game you have to play first?

While some fans have very strong opinions on this subject, our position is: no, there isn’t a ‘correct’ starting point.

As a general rule, we don’t believe in gatekeeping, so while we can suggest a play order for new fans to enjoy the whole story (and have), it’s entirely up to you where you begin with the series.

If, for example, you want to play KINGDOM HEARTS III first because it’s the latest mainline game, or just because you’re excited to pal around with Woody and Buzz Lightyear, then go for it. Or if you love rhythm action games and want to dive right into KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory, that’s equally valid.

Remember: every KINGDOM HEARTS game is someone’s first. Many lifelong fans didn’t start with the original game - they played later ones and explored the rest of the series afterwards.

However, it is a topic that comes up a lot, so the Square Enix Blog team has put together a couple of suggested play orders. If you’re starting fresh, these are some ways to explore the series - just remember that they’re intended to merely guide, not instruct.


Our suggested play order:

As you’d expect, our basic suggestion is to follow the order outlined in the various KINGDOM HEARTS collections to experience what’s known as the ‘Dark Seeker Saga.’

Sora, Donald and Goofy in KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX

You’ll start with KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX. This collection takes you through Sora’s earliest adventures with Donald Duck and Goofy, introduces the fan-favorite character Roxas, and jumps back in time with a sequel that has big implications on what you’ve already played, and what’s still to come.

Sora and Riku in KINGDOM HEARTS DREAM DROP DISTANCE HD

The second collection, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, features two amazing games, which together set up the finale of the ‘Dark Seeker Saga’.

In KINGDOM HEARTS Dream Drop Distance, Sora’s quest to become a keyblade master puts him under threat like never before, while KINGDOM HEARTS 0.2 Birth by Sleep - A fragmentary passage - follows keyblade wielder Aqua after the dramatic events of KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep.

The collection ends with KINGDOM HEARTS χ Back Cover - a movie that takes you way back in time to the earliest point in the series and has major implications for the saga as a whole.

Sora, Donald and Olaf in KINGDOM HEARTS III

The Dark Seeker arc comes to its epic conclusion in KINGDOM HEARTS III and its Re Mind DLC, as Sora, Donald, and Goofy race to foil the plans of the sinister Xehanort once and for all.

Sora, Donald and Hercules playing a stage in KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory

You’ll finish off with the most recent game in the series: KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory. This rhythm action game lets you enjoy the amazing music from the games, recaps the saga so far, and features new story content set after the end of KINGDOM HEARTS III.

Here’s our rundown:


KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX
  2. KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories
  3. KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days (HD Remastered Cinematics)
  4. KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX
  5. KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep FINAL MIX
  6. KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Coded (HD Remastered Cinematics)

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS Dream Drop Distance HD
  2. KINGDOM HEARTS 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-
  3. KINGDOM HEARTS χ Back Cover (movie)

KINGDOM HEARTS Uχ Dark Road

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ [Cross] (view story in theatre)

KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC)

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS III
  2. KINGDOM HEARTS III Re Mind DLC

KINGDOM HEARTS Uχ Dark Road

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ [Cross] Dark Road

KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory
KINGDOM HEARTS Dream Drop Distance screenshot

Chronological playing order:

Another way to enjoy the KINGDOM HEARTS series is to experience the adventures in chronological order.

Although Sora’s original KINGDOM HEARTS adventure was the first game to be released, there are a few titles that are set earlier in the timeline. These prequel adventures do an amazing job at fleshing out the lore of the series, as well as introducing fascinating narrative threads that enrich the other games.

By following the games’ own internal timeline, you get to watch the pieces of this sprawling saga connect. It’s very satisfying.

Here’s the chronological playing order:

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS χ Back Cover (movie)

KINGDOM HEARTS Uχ Dark Road

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ [Cross] (view story in theater)
  2. KINGDOM HEARTS DARK ROAD

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep FINAL MIX

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX
  2. KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories
  3. KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days (HD Remastered Cinematics)
  4. KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX
  5. KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Coded (HD Remastered Cinematics)

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS Dream Drop Distance HD

KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC)

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS III
  2. KINGDOM HEARTS III Re Mind DLC

KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory

  1. KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory
Aqua in KINGDOM HEARTS 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-

We hope all that helps you if you’re just setting off on your KINGDOM HEARTS journey. If so, you’re in for a real treat - we hope you enjoy them.

The KINGDOM HEARTS games are available now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. They’re also playable on Nintendo Switch as Cloud Versions. You can also download the KINGDOM HEARTS Uχ Dark Road app for free on iOS and Android devices.

For news and updates about the KINGDOM HEARTS series, also make sure you follow us on social media:

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