Since its beginning, the Kingdom Hearts franchise has always embraced handheld systems for its releases. While the main series titles have mostly been designed for home consoles, many of the spin-off games were specifically tailored for handheld devices. For instance, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, the second game in the series, first launched on the Game Boy Advance before making its way to the PS2. Other titles like Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, Kingdom Hearts: Re:Coded, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, and the intriguingly named Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days were also created solely for handheld platforms.
Lately, Kingdom Hearts hasn’t made as many appearances on handheld consoles as it used to. Over the past ten years, the only game in the series that got a native port for a portable system was the rhythm game Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, which was released on the Nintendo Switch in 2020. Aside from that, there have been few Kingdom Hearts titles available on handheld devices. While there are mobile games like Kingdom Hearts X and the upcoming Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link, they don’t quite deliver the same experience as the offline, single-player spin-offs from the past. This is why it would be great to see more Kingdom Hearts games—whether spin-offs or main titles—released on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Kingdom Hearts Will Probably Have a Presence On the Switch 2 in Some Form
The Switch 2 Will Be a Big Upgrade Over the Current Switch
Many people are aware that the Nintendo Switch 2 was officially revealed earlier this week. True to its name, the Switch 2 is essentially an enhanced version of the original Switch, featuring a larger display, additional buttons, USB-C ports, improved Joy-Con capabilities, and, most importantly, much more powerful internal hardware. This console marks a departure from Nintendo’s typical design approach, which often includes quirky features that can complicate the user experience. However, the Switch 2 seems to offer a refreshingly simple upgrade, making it ideal for classic console gaming.
Kingdom Hearts 4 and Future Kingdom Hearts Spin-Offs Could Come to the Switch 2
The Switch 2 appears to be quite powerful, which suggests it will enjoy significantly better third-party support compared to the original model. Titles that were impossible to run on the first Switch should perform well on Nintendo’s new console, including anticipated releases like Kingdom Hearts 4. While Square Enix hasn’t officially announced the platforms for the next Kingdom Hearts installment, it seems probable that the Switch 2 will be included. Although Kingdom Hearts 4 may be graphically demanding, it seems feasible for a next-gen handheld to handle it.
If Square Enix can’t get Kingdom Hearts 4 to work on the Switch 2, they should definitely consider creating a spin-off for the console. However, this new title shouldn’t just be another rhythm game like Melody of Memories. It needs to emphasize storytelling, similar to Chain of Memories and Dream Drop Distance. While Melody of Memories was enjoyable, it mainly served as a recap of the Kingdom Hearts saga and didn’t add much to the lore. A future spin-off for the Switch 2 should aim to be a significant addition to the franchise’s overall narrative.
Though They May Not Be Exclusive, Kingdom Hearts Games on the Switch 2 Seems Inevitable
Square Enix has consistently indicated its desire to evolve into a more multi-platform publisher moving forward. This means that even if a Kingdom Hearts spin-off is developed for the Switch 2, it probably won’t be a permanent exclusive. However, it seems almost certain that a Kingdom Hearts title will make its way to the platform. Whether it’s Kingdom Hearts 4, a new spin-off, or a port of the HD Collections—which the original Switch surprisingly missed out on—Square Enix would be smart to take advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2’s success with some Kingdom Hearts offerings.