Kingdom Hearts Play Order: Release Order and Chronological Timeline

The Kingdom Hearts franchise from Square Enix combines Disney worlds with action RPG gameplay and a complex story. With many games and spin-offs it can be hard to know where to start. Here you find two clear orders: the release order (recommended for new players) and the chronological timeline.

Release Order (Launch Order)

Play the games in the order they were released. This is the best way to experience the story as the developers intended.

1. Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (2002) – In HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection
2. Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories (2004) – In HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection
3. Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix (2005) – In HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection
4. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (2009) – HD cutscenes in HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection
5. Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix (2010) – In HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection
6. Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (2011) – HD cutscenes in HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection
7. Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (2012) – In HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue collection
8. Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover (movie, 2017) – In HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue collection
9. Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage (2017) – In HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue collection
10. Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind DLC (2019)
11. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory (2020)
12. Kingdom Hearts IV (upcoming)

Tip: Start with the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection. This is the best starting point for most players.

Chronological Timeline (Story Order)

Follow the events in the story timeline order.

• Kingdom Hearts χ / Union χ / Dark Road (mobile, Back Cover movie in HD 2.8 collection)
• Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix (In HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection)
• Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage (In HD 2.8 collection)
• Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (In HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection)
• Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories (In HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection)
• Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (HD cutscenes in HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection)
• Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix (In HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection)
• Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (HD cutscenes in HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX collection)
• Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (In HD 2.8 collection)
• Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind DLC
• Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory
• Kingdom Hearts IV (upcoming)

Recommendation: For new players, the release order is best. Want to follow the full lore? Use the chronological order after the first few games.

Final Verdict

Kingdom Hearts is a unique and magical franchise full of adventure, emotion and familiar Disney characters. The series is worth playing completely.

Read also our other game reviews on the Review page. There you will discover a wide range of honest and insightful reviews.