Kotaku is inviting readers to replay Kingdom Hearts together through Guiding Key, a communal playthrough and discussion series led by writer Kenneth Shepard. Its proposed route begins with Kingdom Hearts in October 2026 and moves through the series toward Kingdom Hearts IV. The dates are a rough plan, not a fixed calendar, so readers can follow along at their own pace and join the discussion as it unfolds.
What is Guiding Key?
Guiding Key is a book-club-style playthrough: Kotaku writers, industry friends, and readers are invited to experience the games and discuss their stories together. Shepard describes the posts as flexible in format, with each one chronicling the group’s journey and giving readers an anchor for their own playthroughs. The announcement encourages readers to comment and submit questions or topics for discussion.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![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 |
| 2 |
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Kingdom Hearts All in One Package (PlayStation 4) | $53.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far (PS4) | $23.49 | Buy on Amazon |
The idea is to revisit the series as a shared experience ahead of Kingdom Hearts IV. That timing is part of the announcement’s premise, not a confirmed release date for the game.
The proposed Kingdom Hearts playthrough schedule
Shepard’s October 5, 2026 announcement lays out this tentative sequence. It allows several months for the main numbered entries, while shorter or story-focused entries have shorter windows.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
| When | Entry or group | Planned approach |
|---|---|---|
| October–December 2026 | Kingdom Hearts | Playthrough |
| January 2027 | Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories | Playthrough |
| February–April 2027 | Kingdom Hearts II | Playthrough |
| May 2027 | Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Re:coded | Watch the cutscenes |
| June 2027 | Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep | Playthrough |
| July 2027 | Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance and A Fragmentary Passage | Playthrough |
| August 2027 | Kingdom Hearts Union χ Dark Road | Watch-through |
| August–October 2027 | Kingdom Hearts III and Re:Mind DLC | Playthrough |
| November 2027 | Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory | Playthrough |
| Late 2027 | Kingdom Hearts IV | Anticipated next step |
The schedule is explicitly rough and may shift as everyday life or new releases intervene. The late-2027 placement for Kingdom Hearts IV is what the announcement anticipates; it should not be read as a confirmed launch window.
How to join in—and how much you need to play
You can use the series as a companion to your own playthrough: follow the planned order, read each discussion post, and add thoughts or questions in the comments. The announcement does not require readers to keep pace with the proposed months, and its flexible post format leaves room for discussion and critique rather than a rigid lesson plan.
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- The compilation includes the following games: KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days (HD Remastered cinematics) KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep Final MIX KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded (HD Remastered cinematics)
- KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 FINAL CHAPTER PROLOGUE KINGDOM HEARTS Dream Drop Distance HD KINGDOM HEARTS 0.2 Birth by Sleep –A fragmentary passage– KINGDOM HEARTS χ Back Cover (movie)
- KINGDOM HEARTS III
For 358/2 Days and Re:coded, the announced plan is to watch cutscenes rather than play full versions, because the article describes those games as not readily accessible on modern platforms and says modern collections include their story cutscenes in place of the full games. Union χ Dark Road is likewise scheduled as a watch-through. These are the series’ planned ways to cover those stories, not a complete guide to every edition or access option.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where the playthrough starts
The announcement points to Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] as an easy starting point and names Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S as platforms launching on October 8, 2026. It does not specify regional availability, prices, physical versus digital editions, or retailer stock, so check current platform listings in your region before buying.
Rank #3
- Includes Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 Remix & Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
- Catch up on the story leading up to Kingdom Hearts III
- Relive the magical adventures of Sora, Donald Duck, Goofy and friends
For readers who already own some entries—or prefer to watch rather than play—the schedule’s cutscene and watch-through portions provide a way to keep up without treating every installment as a mandatory full-game run.
What the series is setting out to discuss
Shepard frames the project as a chance to revisit the story of Sora and friends and the broader Square Enix and Disney crossover. The announcement calls the franchise a 25-year epic; that is its description of the series’ history, not a claim about a particular edition or playtime. The planned posts aim to make the journey a shared conversation, with readers able to bring their own interpretations and questions to each entry.
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