"Guide to Playing Kingdom Hearts Series in Order"

In 2022, Square Enix and Disney unveiled *Kingdom Hearts 4* at the 20th Anniversary celebration of the franchise, offering fans a glimpse into Sora’s journey after his solo departure at the end of *Kingdom Hearts 3*. Naturally, updates on the sequel have been sparse since its reveal, but recent leaks featuring in-game screenshots suggest that development is still ongoing.

To help tide over eager fans, Square Enix made a major move by bringing nearly the entire *Kingdom Hearts* series to Steam on June 13, 2024. This includes *Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX*, *Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue*, *Kingdom Hearts III* with the *Re Mind* DLC, and the previously cloud-exclusive *Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece* for Nintendo Switch. While we await further news or a release date for Kingdom Hearts 4, here's a detailed guide to playing through the series in chronological order—a helpful way to grasp the intricate lore behind Sora’s adventures, Xehanort’s schemes, and the overarching Dark Seeker Saga.

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How to play in chronological order | How to play by release date

The Kingdom Hearts universe spans 13 core games, spread across various platforms including the PSP and Game Boy Advance. A new mainline title—officially confirmed in April 2022—is also in development.

What Kingdom Hearts Game Should I Play First?

For newcomers, starting with Kingdom Hearts 2 is highly recommended. The game opens with Roxas’ story, which delivers flashbacks from the original Kingdom Hearts and Chain of Memories, helping you understand the series’ complex narrative and the connection between Sora and Roxas. Additionally, the gameplay in Kingdom Hearts 2 feels more polished compared to the first entry, especially when revisiting worlds via Gummi Ship missions.

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Kingdom Hearts All-in-One Package

Includes 10 “experiences,” such as Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far and Kingdom Hearts III. [See it at Amazon]

How to Play Kingdom Hearts Games in Chronological Order

Kingdom Hearts χ / Unchained χ / Union χ

Though the titles may differ, these versions all represent the same game set hundreds of years before the main series begins—the era leading up to the Keyblade War. Originally released in Japan as Kingdom Hearts χ for PC, it was later rebranded globally as Unchained χ and Union χ for mobile devices. The χ refers to the legendary χ-blade, central to unlocking Kingdom Hearts itself.

You take control of a young Keyblade wielder in Daybreak Town who joins one of five factions competing for dominance over limited light. Union χ follows an alternate version of events where the player relives the past to forget the Keyblade War. Though the game shut down in May 2021, you can still experience the story through online cutscenes. Alternatively, watch the cinematic retelling in Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover, included in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue.

Kingdom Hearts Dark Road

Set 70 years before Birth by Sleep, this game explores the origins of Master Xehanort. As a youth, Xehanort is taken from Destiny Islands to train under Master Eraqus in Scala ad Caelum. He’s tasked with searching for the Lost Masters, setting off a chain of events that leads him toward darkness and ultimately becomes the Seeker of Darkness.

Although Dark Road features dated 2D graphics, its story plays a crucial role in the broader narrative. Unfortunately, the game is no longer playable, but full cutscenes are available online.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

Taking place 10 years before the original Kingdom Hearts, Birth by Sleep follows three key characters—Ventus, Terra, and Aqua—as they search for the missing Master Xehanort while battling the Unversed, creatures created by Vanitas.

This title delves deep into the origins of both Sora and Xehanort. Ventus' heart was partially repaired by Sora’s own, while Vanitas was born from the darkness purged from Ventus. Terra eventually becomes Xehanort’s vessel, and Aqua senses strong emotional ties between Sora, Riku, and her companions.

Read our review of Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep.

Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep — A Fragmentary Passage

Included in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, this short but impactful episode bridges Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts 3. Set shortly after Dream Drop Distance, it shows Mickey discovering Aqua trapped in the Realm of Darkness and guiding her through key locations like Castle of Dreams and Dwarf Woodlands. Eventually, Mickey helps Sora and Riku seal the door to Kingdom Hearts before Aqua returns to the shadows.

Kingdom Hearts

The first game introduces Sora, Donald, and Goofy as they travel across various worlds in search of Riku and Kairi after their home, Destiny Islands, is destroyed. Along the way, Sora seals keyholes to prevent the Heartless from spreading chaos. Maleficent leads a group of villains seeking the seven Princesses of Heart to unlock the final keyhole, using Riku as a pawn.

The climax reveals that Kairi’s heart had been transferred into Sora during the destruction of Destiny Islands. After impaling himself with Ansem’s Keyblade, Sora briefly becomes a Heartless before Kairi restores him. Together with Riku and Mickey, he defeats Ansem and seals Kingdom Hearts.

Read our review of Kingdom Hearts.

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

While searching for Riku and King Mickey, Sora, Donald, and Goofy enter Castle Oblivion, causing them to lose their memories. Marluxia, a member of Organization XIII, manipulates them with memory-based world cards, forcing them to fight members like Axel, Larxene, and Vexen.

Meanwhile, Naminé—who was manipulating Sora’s memories—helps restore them. Her deception is revealed, and she puts the trio into stasis to recover what was lost.

Read our review of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories.

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days

Set during Chain of Memories, this title focuses on Roxas, Sora’s Nobody, and his time as a reluctant member of Organization XIII. His bond with Axel and mysterious friend Xion grows stronger until he learns Xion is an artificial replica of Kairi designed to delay Sora’s return.

After Xion sacrifices herself to merge with Roxas, he leaves the Organization, unknowingly triggering Sora’s awakening.

Read our review of Kingdom Hearts 358/2.

Kingdom Hearts 2

Beginning in Twilight Town with Roxas’ life among friends, the game transitions to Sora waking up after merging with Roxas. Now reunited with Donald and Goofy, Sora travels the worlds to stop Organization XIII from creating another Kingdom Hearts.

The story uncovers deeper truths about Xehanort’s identity, his Heartless (Ansem), his Nobody (Xemnas), and the origins of Nobodies like Roxas and Naminé.

Read our review of Kingdom Hearts 2.

Kingdom Hearts: Re:coded

Originally released as a mobile episodic title called Coded, this game centers around King Mickey and Data-Sora working to repair Jiminy Cricket’s corrupted journal. Within the digital realm, they battle bugs and decode a hidden message hinting at future events.

Square Enix later repackaged the full experience into Re:coded for Nintendo DS, making it accessible to