Mario Bautista
As the Kingdom Hearts franchise expands with new entries like Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link and the highly anticipated Kingdom Hearts 4, the series’ complex and interconnected lore continues to play a big role in its appeal. However, with the delisting of mobile games like Kingdom Hearts Union X Dark Road, crucial pieces of the story are now harder to access for both new and longtime players. This presents an ideal moment for Square Enix to develop a dedicated collection of Kingdom Hearts mobile titles for consoles.
Why a Kingdom Hearts Mobile Game Collection is Necessary
The mobile games in the Kingdom Hearts series, particularly Kingdom Hearts X, Kingdom Hearts Union X, and Kingdom Hearts Dark Road, contain key narrative elements that are central to understanding the larger story. This is especially true when looking at the culminating narrative of Kingdom Hearts 3. Players can no longer experience these games in full, especially with Union X Dark Road being delisted.
Filling the Gaps Before Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link and Kingdom Hearts 4
Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link, slated for a 2024 release, and Kingdom Hearts 4 are expected to push the story forward into a new arc, and with that, players can expect even more characters, revelations, and twists. Given the current way in which the Kingdom Hearts narrative has been compiled, it’s a safe bet to consider that Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link will help set the stage for many of the story threads that will likely be relevant moving forward. Players unfamiliar with mobile gaming platforms will be at a disadvantage especially when Kingdom Hearts 4 arrives.
Appealing to Kingdom Hearts’ Console and PC Players
Many fans don’t play mobile or free-to-play games, preferring to experience the Kingdom Hearts series on traditional gaming consoles or PC. The evidence is in the multiple releases of the earlier games’ collections. It would also cater to fans who may have missed out on the mobile titles due to platform limitations or disinterest in mobile gaming.
The previous games have seen success with remastered collections on consoles and PC. Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix not only brought Kingdom Hearts Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Re of Memories to modern consoles but also included a cinematic retelling of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. A similar approach could work for Union X and Dark Road.
Preserving Kingdom Hearts Key Lore for Future Generations
With the Kingdom Hearts series now spanning over a decade and consisting of thirteen games across multiple platforms, preserving its story is critical. The mobile entries introduced new characters, expanded on existing ones, and even invited fans of mobile games to try Kingdom Hearts 3. Kingdom Hearts X Back Cover, a one-hour cinematic included in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, demonstrates the importance of mobile game stories being told in a format that console players can easily access. As the Xehanort Saga concluded with Kingdom Hearts 3, and the years passing by since its release, it’s important that fans have a convenient way to revisit lore.
A Path Forward with Kingdom Hearts 4
As Square Enix prepares for Kingdom Hearts 4, the series’ fanbase will only continue to grow. Whether Square Enix opts to port the mobile games with updated controls, or chooses to create a cinematic retelling similar to what was done with 358/2 Days, ensuring the preservation of the mobile games like Union X and Dark Road stories is essential. A complex story like Kingdom Hearts demands a cohesive way to experience the full breadth of its lore.
