Kingdom Hearts Collection is Square Enix’s attempt to bring most of the series to modern hardware in one package. That matters particularly for Nintendo fans, as Kingdom Hearts was previously available on Switch only through cloud versions. Switch 2 finally gets native versions of the games, making this the easiest way to experience the series on Nintendo hardware.
The collection is split into three packages: Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5, Kingdom Hearts III, and Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue. Together, they cover the mainline games and several spin-offs. The biggest omission is Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory, which is not included and remains unavailable on Steam. Its absence is difficult to understand when the collection otherwise brings together so much of the series.
Performance is solid across the older games, with most running at a steady 60 FPS. Kingdom Hearts III and 2.8 are the exceptions. Both are primarily 30 FPS experiences with an unlocked frame rate that can climb into the 40s and 50s and, more rarely, reach 60 FPS. Kingdom Hearts III is considerably more demanding than the older titles, but it is still disappointing that Switch 2 does not offer a completely stable 60 FPS mode.
Kingdom Hearts 2.8 is even less consistent, following the same approach as III but with more noticeable drops. Given how much more powerful Switch 2 is than the hardware these games were originally built for, there was room for more substantial performance improvements. A stable 30 FPS option would have been a welcome alternative for players who prioritise consistency over an unlocked frame rate.
The lack of broader improvements is also noticeable. There are no major new features or quality-of-life additions designed specifically for Switch 2. Since these games have already been available on PS4, Xbox and PC, the new hardware presented an opportunity to go beyond simply porting the existing versions. The native releases are still preferable to the previous cloud versions, but the technical upgrades are fairly conservative.
Storage is another consideration. Installing everything can push the total beyond 130 GB, although the three separate packages make this easier to manage. You can install 1.5 + 2.5, Kingdom Hearts III or 2.8 independently rather than keeping the entire collection installed.
I would also recommend playing the games gradually rather than going through the entire collection back to back. Kingdom Hearts is already a complicated series, and playing I, II and III consecutively can make its story difficult to follow. Adding the numerous spin-offs, some of which revisit or expand on events from other games, can quickly lead to burnout. Taking each game at your own pace makes for a much better experience.
The story itself remains one of the biggest barriers for newcomers. The basic premise is easy enough to understand, but keeping track of its characters, organisations, timelines and connections becomes increasingly difficult. Kingdom Hearts can feel like a story where you understand the broad idea but need an encyclopedia to explain everything else. It is not a reason to avoid the series, but new players should be prepared for its increasingly convoluted narrative.
For existing owners, the Switch 2 version is harder to recommend unless you specifically want to play these games on a Nintendo handheld. For newcomers, however, it is an easier recommendation. Despite the missing Melody of Memory and relatively cautious technical upgrades, having native versions on Switch 2 is a significant improvement over the previous cloud releases.
With Kingdom Hearts IV also coming to Switch 2 alongside the other console versions, this collection gives Nintendo players a convenient way to catch up with the series. It is not the definitive technical upgrade it could have been, but it remains a strong package for anyone who has never played Kingdom Hearts and wants to experience the series on Nintendo’s latest hardware.
Kingdom Hearts Collection [I～III] Game Information
- Price: $74.99
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was provided by the publisher
