> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.421.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Kingdom Hearts: The Video Game Born from a Crossover Between Disney and Square Enix - URL: https://www.421.news/en/kingdom-hearts-disney-en/ - Published: 2026-11-08T11:07:47.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-08T11:31:53.000Z - Description: The video game saga that sold more than forty million copies. The experiment with Disney and the story of its success. - Author: Julián Fernández Loyarte - Tags: games, #en You're probably already familiar with *Kingdom Hearts*. Maybe you caught images of these games in the social media whirlwind, or maybe you knew someone growing up who had one of them on their [PlayStation 2](https://www.421.news/en/playstation-2-the-resurrection/). The moment your eyes landed on that anime kid swinging a key-shaped sword and heading off on adventures with Donald Duck and Goofy, the idea got stuck in your head forever. And how could it not? But *Kingdom Hearts* isn't just some experiment between Disney, the biggest animated film studio in the world, and Square Enix, the RPG developer par excellence (think [*Final Fantasy*](https://www.421.news/en/final-fantasy-vii-en/) or [*Chrono Trigger*](https://www.421.news/en/what-are-reptilians-chrono-trigger-video-game-en/)): it's a series of unique, magical, ambitious video games that have sold more than a billion copies and built up a huge base of passionate fans. > It's a series of unique, magical, ambitious video games that have sold more than forty million copies. Next year, *Kingdom Hearts* will celebrate its 25th anniversary with the release of its long-awaited next installment, *Kingdom Hearts 4*. So if you've seen a lot of people hyped about this game and can't quite figure out why, this retrospective will give you every answer you're looking for. ## It's all thanks to Mario Funnily enough, it all starts with none other than *Super Mario 64*. In the late nineties, the folks at Square Enix (then known as Squaresoft) were fascinated by the success of that game, which had practically revolutionized and popularized 3D gaming. It sparked a desire to make something similar, but they worried the only way to go toe-to-toe with Nintendo was to use a character as recognizable as Mario (or more so), like, say, Mickey Mouse himself. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/7f/2b7f69fc-a243-4d2f-ae8e-db8312c6653a/content/images/2026/10/Mario-corriendo-en-Super-Mario-64..jpg) Credit: Nintendo Fate is a funny thing: in the nineties, the offices of Squaresoft and Disney Japan were in the same building. The story goes that Squaresoft developers pitched Disney executives the idea of making a game together when they happened to bump into each other in an elevator. This tale is considered a legend, and plenty of people still think it's made up, but none other than Tetsuya Nomura (director of the entire *Kingdom Hearts* series) has confirmed it on more than [one occasion](https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/23/tgs-2004-tetsuya-nomura-qa?ref=421.news). Let's get to know the mastermind: Nomura had been at Squaresoft since 1991, but he shot to fame when he became lead character designer on the iconic [*Final Fantasy VII*](https://www.421.news/en/final-fantasy-vii-en/), though it's worth noting he was also one of the artists on the excellent [*Final Fantasy VI*](https://www.421.news/en/final-fantasy-vi-video-games-en/) for the Super Nintendo. That's right: Nomura is the guy who designed some of the most iconic characters in video game history, like Cloud Strife and Sephiroth. As the [story](https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/3ds/creators/11/0/?ref=421.news) goes, Nomura walked into a Squaresoft office one day where two producers were kicking around the idea of making a game with Disney. Overhearing their conversation, he immediately asked them to put him in charge of the ambitious project. "I want to be part of this," he told them—words that would end up changing his career forever. Development on the game (which would eventually become *Kingdom Hearts*) was long and went through several different versions. In one of them, the story revolved around one of the many characters in the Disney pantheon (like Mickey or Donald), but Nomura shot that down, saying he'd rather design an adventure starring a 100% original character. In another draft, said protagonist was a half-human, half-lion kid wielding a chainsaw-shaped sword, but the design was reworked until he became a boy dressed in Mickey's color scheme (red, black and yellow) who wields a key-shaped sword known, obviously, as the Keyblade. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/7f/2b7f69fc-a243-4d2f-ae8e-db8312c6653a/content/images/2026/10/Arte-conceptual-de-Sora-con-caracter--sticas-de-Le--n-y-una-espada-en-forma-de-motosierra..jpg) Credit: KHWiki.net Nomura's main obstacle throughout this process was the constant presence of Disney executives, who had to sign off on every single one of his creative decisions. Sure, Disney wasn't the massive entertainment conglomerate it is today, but it was still a big, important company, so standing up to them took real guts on the young developer's part. Funnily enough, the one who ended up giving the project the final green light was Michael Eisner, one of the most controversial CEOs in Disney history. Eisner apparently didn't get what the game was about and stayed neutral in every meeting: "Keep doing it. And do it well," he'd tell Nomura. Fun fact: this year, [Eisner](https://www.gamefile.news/p/delphi-interactive-james-bond-fifa-michael-eisner-disney?ref=421.news) was asked about this story and the former CEO admitted he didn't remember why he approved *Kingdom Hearts*. Still, we're all grateful he did, because it changed the history of the [video game](https://www.421.news/en/video-games-industry-politics-entertainment/) industry. ## A magical moment *Kingdom Hearts* launched exclusively for PlayStation 2 in Japan on March 28, 2002 (and wouldn't reach the West until September 17 of that same year). No matter where you were (Japan, the US or Latin America), everyone who popped the disc into their PS2 had the same unforgettable experience: turning on the console expecting a wacky Disney adventure, only to be suddenly blindsided by a gorgeous title screen featuring an illustration by Nomura himself and a moving piano melody known as "*Dearly Beloved*." And as if that weren't enough, that screen is followed by an over-the-top but charming animated opening set to a J-pop song by Japanese singer Utada Hikaru, which helped establish the strange but magical tone of the game. In just a few seconds, *Kingdom Hearts* made it clear it was no ordinary game. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/7f/2b7f69fc-a243-4d2f-ae8e-db8312c6653a/content/images/2026/10/Pantalla-de-t--tulo-de-Kingdom-Hearts-1..jpg) Credit: KHWiki.net The success of the first *Kingdom Hearts* comes down to it being a sort of secret *Final Fantasy* game, one where iconic Disney characters coexist with Square's original characters and also play an important role in the plot. > The success of the first *Kingdom Hearts* comes down to it being a sort of secret *Final Fantasy* game, one where iconic Disney characters coexist with Square's original characters. In *Kingdom Hearts*, a boy named Sora must use the powers of the mysterious Keyblade to explore various worlds with two goals: find his lost friends, Riku and Kairi, and find the king of Disney Castle. What's the hook? He's joined by Donald Duck and Goofy, each world is based on a classic Disney animated film (with a couple of exceptions) and, of course, that mysterious missing king is none other than Mickey Mouse. Needless to say, this is a game that seems tailor-made for Disney fans, but luckily its captivating gameplay, colorful cartoony graphics and spectacular soundtrack (composed by the legendary Yoko Shimomura) made it a timeless experience anyone can enjoy and appreciate, no matter how much nostalgia they have for movies like *Aladdin*, *Hercules*, *The Little Mermaid*, *Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland* or *Peter Pan*. Another distinctive aspect of *Kingdom Hearts* that helped it stand out in the market is its combat system, which is real-time action. This simple but effective creative decision not only made Sora's adventure a blast, it also made it more accessible to everyone who isn't that into the turn-based combat of the classic *Final Fantasy* games Square had become known for. The dev team even took inspiration from [*The Legend of Zelda*](https://www.421.news/en/legend-zelda-ocarina-time-videogame-en/)*: Ocarina of Time* and implemented a lock-on targeting system (which felt revolutionary at the time) to make battles less confusing. Truth be told, the action in *Kingdom Hearts 1* feels a bit slow and clunky nowadays, but keep in mind it's a nearly 25-year-old game, not to mention it laid the groundwork for the more complex and flashy combat systems of its many sequels. ## The franchise's fascinating evolution Thanks to all these factors, *Kingdom Hearts* quickly became a critical and commercial hit, selling more than 6 million copies and becoming the tenth best-selling PS2 game in the console's history. That shouldn't surprise anyone, since it was one of those Japanese exclusives everybody had in their PS2 collection at some point, like [*Shadow of the Colossus*](https://www.421.news/en/shadow-colossus-videogames-cult-en/) or [*Metal Gear Solid 3*](https://www.421.news/en/hideo-kojima-en/). These numbers matter a lot, not only because they prove Square and Disney's weird experiment worked—meaning they were right to give Tetsuya Nomura so much creative control—but also because the game's success practically saved Squaresoft from bankruptcy. In the early 2000s, the company poured a ton of resources into the animated film *Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within,* but its box office flop cost them a lot of money and left them in a pretty rough financial spot. Luckily, the commercial success of games like *Final Fantasy X* and *Kingdom Hearts* helped them recover those losses, which led to the merger with another developer called Enix and the creation of Square Enix as we all know it. That's right: without *Kingdom Hearts*, Square Enix might not even exist today. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/7f/2b7f69fc-a243-4d2f-ae8e-db8312c6653a/content/images/2026/10/Sora-luchando-contra-1000-Sincoraz--n-en-Kingdom-Hearts-2..jpg) Credit: Square Enix To no one's surprise, the *Kingdom Hearts* sequels weren't long in coming. *Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories* came out for the [Game Boy Advance](https://www.421.news/en/play-game-boy-psp-consoles-attention-on/) in 2004 and pulled off an unconventional card-based combat system, paired with a self-referential story that felt like a rehash of the previous game. Despite how important this title is, most people ignored it altogether to focus on the true direct sequel: *Kingdom Hearts 2*, released for PlayStation 2 in December 2005. *Kingdom Hearts 2* took everything the first game did and kicked it up a notch: its combat system is fast and dynamic, with flashy but complex combosthat look like they're straight out of [*Devil May Cry*](https://www.421.news/en/devil-may-cry-frieren-en/)*;* controls and graphics that felt like they belonged to the new millennium rather than some leftover from the nineties; and an incredibly ambitious story that not only sets up the infamous Organization XIII as the new villains but also tackles themes of loneliness, identity, friendship and consciousness, all while Mickey, Donald and Goofy tag along with the hero on this wild ride. And as if that weren't enough, this sequel also let players explore worlds based on even more popular and modern Disney movies, like *The Lion King*, *Tron* or *Pirates of the Caribbean*. *Kingdom Hearts 1* opened the door for this franchise and made it popular in record time, but *Kingdom Hearts 2* was without a doubt the game that proved it had a guaranteed future, not to mention it built a fanbase of millions of players who had become obsessed with its story and characters, and who were more than willing to try any other game Square Enix put out. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/7f/2b7f69fc-a243-4d2f-ae8e-db8312c6653a/content/images/2026/10/Aqua-y-Phillip-peleando-contra-Mal--fica-en-Birth-by-Sleep..jpg) Credit: Steam. Naturally, the franchise's success didn't stop there, with new titles coming out regularly between 2005 and 2012\. From prequels that explain the backstory of the whole saga, like *Birth by Sleep*, to spin-offs that zoom in on particular moments that needed more depth, like *358/2 Days* (which stars Roxas and details his time working for Organization XIII), and even sequels set after *Kingdom Hearts 2*, like *Re: Coded* and *Dream Drop Distance*, which plant the seeds for the ambitious, spectacular story of the inevitable *Kingdom Hearts 3*. Luckily for the growing fanbase, every one of these games was very well received by critics, and all of them showed a high level of quality, both graphically and in terms of gameplay. It's also worth mentioning the excellent work of Yoko Shimomura, a living legend and the saga's lead composer. Her beautiful, intricate compositions can be heard in every installment, and there's no doubt they're partly responsible for millions of players falling head over heels for these games. *Kingdom Hearts* has one of the best and most memorable soundtracks in the industry, and that achievement can be credited to Shimomura and the other talented musicians who worked with her on the music side, like Takeharu Ishimoto and Tsuyoshi Sekito. ## *Kingdom Hearts 2* What was impressive at the time (and still has plenty of people scratching their heads to this day) is that every *Kingdom Hearts* game is connected to the others, and all of them are crucial to understanding the overall plot. It's not like *Final Fantasy* or *The Legend of Zelda*, franchises where each installment is designed to stand alone and be self-contained so newcomers can jump in without a problem. In *Kingdom Hearts*, skipping a single title can lead to extreme confusion. Sure, plenty of skeptics see this narrative continuity as a nuisance, as if playing every game were homework, but the most passionate fans find it satisfying, since they feel their loyalty and commitment were rewarded, not to mention they now have full access to the lore of one of the most fascinating (if confusing) stories in video game history. Their passion paid off. The saga's combat system, which blends real-time action with RPG mechanics, was also very well received by the community. And although slower, more methodical action gameplay, like that of [*Dark Souls*](https://www.421.news/en/dark-souls-videogame-tragedy-dignity-human-en/), overtook it in popularity during the 2010s, these days people are itching to experience something more accessible and frantic again, which explains why the *Kingdom Hearts* saga is going through a sort of renaissance in terms of popularity and new players. ## Cultivating a vocal, passionate fanbase ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/7f/2b7f69fc-a243-4d2f-ae8e-db8312c6653a/content/images/2026/10/Algunos-de-los-mundos-Disney-de-Kingdom-Hearts-3..jpg) Credit: Steam. *Kingdom Hearts* fans are many things, and loyal is definitely one of them. You obviously can't blame them, since Tetsuya Nomura and his team pulled off the impossible: using Disney intellectual properties as the skeleton of a complex, long, emotional original story that can hold its own against the most iconic "[shonen](https://www.421.news/en/anime-nekketsu-jujutsu-kaisen-en/)" anime. In fact, that's probably no coincidence, given that *Kingdom Hearts* hit its peak popularity in the mid-2000s, the same era when [*One Piece*](https://www.421.news/en/how-to-watch-one-piece/), *Naruto* and *Bleach* were crowned the "Big Three of shonen," and those series share many narrative elements with *Kingdom Hearts*. > Tetsuya Nomura and his team pulled off the impossible: using Disney intellectual properties as the skeleton of a complex, long, emotional original story that can hold its own against the most iconic "shonen" anime. Because of all these factors, every new release became a huge worldwide phenomenon. Not only were fans dying to find out what would happen to their favorite characters, but there was also tons of debate over which Disney movies would be turned into levels players could explore alongside Sora, Donald and Goofy. This was clearer than ever between 2013 and 2019, after it was confirmed that the long-awaited *Kingdom Hearts 3* was in development: seeing the reveals of worlds based on modern classics like *Toy Story*, *Monsters Inc.*, *Frozen* and *Tangled* was simply spectacular, and made the wait for the sequel almost as special as playing the game itself. Luckily, that exciting guessing game is more alive than ever right now, since *Kingdom Hearts 4* is in development, with a planned release date in 2027\. Although the sequel was originally announced in 2022, Square Enix and Disney started promoting it a few months ago and, after years of predictions, finally revealed that Sora will visit a world based on the popular Pixar movie *Coco*. That trailer went viral instantly and caught the attention of millions of people who had never touched a *Kingdom Hearts* game in their lives—and that's just the first of several Disney worlds we'll get to enjoy in this upcoming title! Needless to say, the reactions to this unexpected announcement clearly reflect the impact the franchise has on the gaming community today. ## Kingdom Hearts 4 Some predict that *Kingdom Hearts 4* will feature a world based on [*Star Wars*](https://www.421.news/en/constitutional-law-in-star-wars/), since Disney bought the rights to the legendary sci-fi/fantasy franchise in 2012\. Although some skeptical fans question that hypothetical scenario, claiming *Star Wars* "doesn't fit" the saga's aesthetic, I think that's a somewhat reductive take. Isn't that exactly what *Kingdom Hearts* is all about? Taking two things that have nothing to do with each other and mashing them into a strange but magical experience? Not to mention that the saga's constant struggle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness closely mirrors the core themes of *Star Wars*, so a world based on those classic films could fit much better than people think. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/7f/2b7f69fc-a243-4d2f-ae8e-db8312c6653a/content/images/2026/10/P--ster-oficial-de-la-serie-animada-de-Kingdom-Hearts..jpg) Credit: The Walt Disney Company. Speaking of Disney, it's worth noting that the company basically ignored the existence of *Kingdom Hearts* for more than two decades. Yes, they technically own the rights to the franchise, but seeing them officially promote it (whether on their TV channels or at their theme parks) was close to a miracle. For a long time, *Kingdom Hearts* was seen as a Square Enix property, whatever the paperwork said. Luckily, that started to change in recent months, and the reason is easy to spot: Disney recently revealed that *Kingdom Hearts* is one of its billion-dollar franchises, so now they're giving it the attention it deserves. Not only are they actively promoting *Kingdom Hearts 4* at events like the D23 Expo, but they also greenlit a *Kingdom Hearts* anime (with an original story) that will stream exclusively on Disney+, plus the addition of characters like Sora, Riku, Kairi and Roxas to [*Fortnite*](https://www.421.news/en/videogames-fortnite-live-service-en/). What was once seen as that weird Square Enix and Disney video game saga is now on everyone's lips, which means it's the perfect time to catch up on its extensive catalog, especially for anyone who's never had the pleasure of trying these excellent games. ## Catching up isn't that hard But the question remains… how can anyone catch up on *Kingdom Hearts*? After all, the franchise is massive, not only because of its long and somewhat confusing plot, but also because it hopped between different companies' consoles in a seemingly random way. Between 2002 and 2012, *Kingdom Hearts* games were released for PS2, PSP, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and even mobile devices, which meant anyone who wanted to play every one of these titles needed to own at least six different systems. Luckily, those dark days are behind us, since Square Enix went to the trouble of porting every major title to modern consoles. Not only did they release multiple compilations for consoles like PS3, PS4, Xbox One and even PC (on both Steam and the Epic Games Store) over the last decade, but they also recently put out a complete, definitive collection titled *Kingdom Hearts Collection \[I\~III\]* on October 8, 2026, which finally brought this magical saga to newer consoles like the PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/7f/2b7f69fc-a243-4d2f-ae8e-db8312c6653a/content/images/2026/10/Ilustraci--n-oficial-de-la-Kingdom-Hearts-Collection-1-3..jpg) Credit: Square Enix. What are you waiting for? If *Kingdom Hearts* catches your eye, whether for its story, its art style, its music or its over-the-top Disney crossover angle, and you want to get familiar with these games before *Kingdom Hearts 4* comes out, there's no better time. The saga is more accessible now than ever. *Kingdom Hearts* didn't just help save Square Enix from bankruptcy and build a huge global fanbase; its impact on the industry can also be seen in all the games it inspired. Thanks to the saga's success, Square felt emboldened to make more action RPGs like *Final Fantasy XV, Final Fantasy VII Remake* and *Final Fantasy XVI*, which were developed in part by people who had worked on *Kingdom Hearts* titles, including Nomura himself. But that's not all, because the saga also influenced the creation of numerous games from other companies, both indie and "Triple-A." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/7f/2b7f69fc-a243-4d2f-ae8e-db8312c6653a/content/images/2026/10/Sora-en-Kingdom-Hearts-4..jpg) Credit: Square Enix Abubakar Salim, director of the [metroidvania ](https://www.421.news/en/metroid-40-anniversary/)*Tales of Kenzera: ZAU,* cited *Kingdom Hearts* as one of his biggest aesthetic inspirations. The Chinese action game *Lost Soul Aside* started life as a one-man project created by a passionate fan of *Devil May Cry* and *Kingdom Hearts*. *Duskfade* is a recent 3D platformer developed by Spanish studio Weird Beluga, and one look at any of its screenshots makes it obvious it's a love letter to PS2 classics like *Kingdom Hearts* and *Ratchet & Clank*. And those are just a few of many examples, because this franchise did everything a good work of art does: spark other people's imaginations and inspire them to create their own masterpieces. > This franchise did everything a good work of art sets out to do: spark other people's imaginations and inspire them to create their own masterpieces. As for the legendary Tetsuya Nomura, he's still the franchise's director, and although he's obviously worked on other Square Enix games over the past 25 years, *Kingdom Hearts* remains his biggest and most important project. But of course, the veteran developer is already 55 and, naturally, is already thinking about retiring from the video game industry. He revealed as much a few years ago in an [interview](https://www.destructoid.com/tetsuya-nomura-is-thinking-about-his-retirement-and-a-possible-conclusion-to-kingdom-hearts/?ref=421.news), where he said: "I only have a few more years until I retire, and I have to decide whether I do that first or finish the series. I'm working on Kingdom Hearts 4 right now with the intention of it being a story I will complete myself." Although the news that the mastermind behind *Kingdom Hearts* might retire is sad, it's worth pointing out that *Kingdom Hearts 4* will kick off a new story arc known as "the Lost Master Arc," which means this game won't be the end of the franchise. Luckily, Nomura has also confirmed that the team now includes a group of young writers who are more than ready to inherit the franchise if he decides to retire in the near future. The world of video games wouldn't be the same without *Kingdom Hearts*, and as someone who has loyally followed this series for decades, it's more than satisfying to see it finally going "mainstream" with *Kingdom Hearts 4*. Get your Keyblades ready and hop aboard the nearest Gummi Ship, because a new adventure is about to begin, and we're all going to be part of it. May your heart be your guiding key.