To follow Kingdom Hearts in broad story chronology, begin with the ancient-era χ stories, then Dark Road, Birth by Sleep, and 0.2 Birth by Sleep. Continue with Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, the overlapping events of 358/2 Days and Chain of Memories, then Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and the later games. That is not the best default order for a first playthrough: newcomers are generally better served by following the series’ release-style narrative sequence, which preserves the way its mysteries and context unfold.
Kingdom Hearts games in broad story chronology
This is a practical timeline, not a perfectly linear sequence. Some stories overlap, and the publisher’s timeline does not provide a complete newcomer-oriented play list. In particular, 358/2 Days spans events around Chain of Memories and the lead-up to Kingdom Hearts II; placing either one as a wholly separate block can give a misleading impression of when everything happens.
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![KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41-Ojve+89L._SL160_.jpg)
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KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 | $74.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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![KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RqOuv+TBL._SL160_.jpg)
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KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $74.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Kingdom Hearts Re:coded | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 and 2.5 Remix (PS4) | $23.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- χ Back Cover and the χ / Union χ story — These cover the ancient Keyblade era, the earliest period in the series’ timeline. Back Cover is a movie that offers a companion perspective on this era; it is not a substitute for all of the wider Union χ story material.
- Dark Road — The story of young Xehanort, set after the ancient-era material and before Birth by Sleep.
- Birth by Sleep Final Mix — A prequel set well before Sora’s first adventure.
- 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage — Set immediately before Kingdom Hearts, following Aqua during the events leading into that game.
- Kingdom Hearts Final Mix — Sora’s first main adventure.
- 358/2 Days and Chain of Memories — Their events overlap around the transition between the first game and Kingdom Hearts II. Days begins before Chain of Memories and continues through the period surrounding it, so this part of the timeline is best treated as an interleaved span rather than two strictly consecutive stories.
- Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix — Follows that overlapping period.
- Re:coded — Takes place after Kingdom Hearts II.
- Dream Drop Distance HD — Follows Re:coded in the broad story sequence.
- Kingdom Hearts III, then Re Mind — Play the base game before its story expansion.
- Melody of Memory — Continues the story after the Kingdom Hearts III-era events.
The early mobile stories and overlapping arcs make fine-grained chronology difficult to express as a single exact list. The sequence above gives the broad order without suggesting that every event in one title happens entirely before every event in the next.
Best order for a first playthrough
If this is your first time through the series, use a release-style narrative order rather than moving every prequel to the front. The order below follows the context and reveals as the series presents them while still including the connected stories.
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- KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a double-sided poster.
- A value packed bundle featuring three collections: KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC).
- This product is also included in other bundle sets. Please ensure you do not purchase the same content more than once.
- Platform-exclusive Keyblade "Long Night" included with purchase!
- GAME-KEY CARD. 128 GB – Full game download via internet required.
- Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
- Re:Chain of Memories
- Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
- 358/2 Days
- Birth by Sleep Final Mix
- Re:coded
- Dream Drop Distance HD
- χ Back Cover, alongside the wider Union χ story material if you want that ancient-era story
- 0.2 Birth by Sleep
- Kingdom Hearts III, then Re Mind
- Melody of Memory
- Dark Road story material, if you want the additional Xehanort backstory
This is an editorial recommendation, not an order Square Enix labels as mandatory. It differs from chronology on purpose: Birth by Sleep, 0.2, and Dark Road depict earlier periods, but beginning with every prequel can shift context and reveals ahead of where earlier releases introduced them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the HD collections include—and what is not a full game
When choosing a collection, check how each entry is presented. Some are playable games, while others are movies or cutscene compilations rather than full playable versions.
Rank #2
- KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a double-sided poster.
- A value packed bundle featuring three collections: KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC).
- This product is also included in other bundle sets. Please ensure you do not purchase the same content more than once.
- Platform-exclusive Keyblade "Midnight Blue" included with purchase!
- To play the physical version of KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III], an internet connection and additional data download are required.
| Collection | Included stories | How they are presented |
|---|---|---|
| HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX | Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Birth by Sleep Final Mix, 358/2 Days, and Re:coded | The first four are games; Days and Re:coded are HD cutscene compilations. |
| HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue | Dream Drop Distance HD, χ Back Cover, and 0.2 Birth by Sleep | Dream Drop Distance and 0.2 are games; Back Cover is a movie. |
| Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind | Kingdom Hearts III and the Re Mind DLC | The base game and its expansion. |
Square Enix has scheduled its KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III] for October 8, 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Microsoft Store on Windows. Store availability may vary by region. The publisher says the physical edition requires an internet connection to download additional data, so the physical media should not be assumed to contain the entire collection. Check the listing for your region and platform for current availability.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- The HD remastered compilation brings six beloved KINGDOM HEARTS adventures to the PlayStation 4
- KINGDOM HEARTS HD 15 + 25 ReMIX gives fans the opportunity to experience all of their favourite moments from the series so far for the very first time on one platform
- The full list of titles included in KINGDOM HEARTS HD 15 + 25 ReMIX are KINGDOM HEARTS HD 15 ReMIX including KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX, KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories, KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days (HD remastered cinematics)
- KINGDOM HEARTS HD 25 ReMIX including KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX, KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep FINAL MIX, KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded
- KINGDOM HEARTS is a series of role-playing games created through the collaboration of Disney Interactive and Square Enix
Rank #3
- The latest installment in the beloved Kingdom Hearts series, Re:Coded unites Sora, Mickey, Donald, Goofy and a host of familiar faces from Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy once again for an exciting new adventure
- All-new features include a new character growth system created specifically for the Nintendo DS release, building on the series' immersive blend of action and role-playing elements
- Guide Sora like never before through exciting new boss battles
- Players can design their own avatar using over 800 unlockable parts and trade playable maps with friends
- Varied gameplay inspired by side-scrolling, shooting and classic Final Fantasy games
Choosing between chronology and release-style order
- Choose chronology if you already know the series and want to trace events by their place in the fictional timeline. Treat the Days / Chain of Memories period as overlapping.
- Choose release-style order if you are new and want the story context to arrive in a more approachable sequence. This is a practical recommendation, not a publisher-mandated rule.
- Choose the playable games first, then decide about the compilations if you do not want to watch every connected story. In the HD collections, Days and Re:coded are cutscene compilations, and Back Cover is a movie. The original Nintendo DS release is needed for the original Days gameplay experience.
- Add the ancient-era and Xehanort material for more context if you want the broader history. Those stories are important parts of the wider narrative, but their earlier setting does not make them the easiest starting point for a newcomer.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
