All Articles: Kingdom Hearts III

Square Enix hosted another quarterly financial briefing for investors this week, and the Japanese publisher once again reiterated that Kingdom Hearts III is on track to be released in 2018.

Kingdom Hearts III was first announced all the way back in 2013, and Square Enix has been slow to share more information about the RPG in the years since. However, several new trailers for the company’s latest Disneyfied crossover were released earlier this year, including one that revealed a world based on Monsters Inc and another that showcaseed the LCD-inspired Classic Kingdom.

If Kingdom Hearts III really is launching for the PS4 and Xbox One in 2018, we’ll likely learn more about it during this year’s E3 Expo.

Before the Switch’s combination of a portable and handheld… before the DS’s tounchscreen… even before the pea-green screen of a Game Boy… there were LCD handheld games. Popularized in the 70s and 80s, these early handheld devices offered crude graphics and even cruder gameplay mechanics.

And they’re coming back in Kingdom Hearts III… sort of. A new trailer for the upcoming action RPG introduces players to the “Classic Kingdom,” a series of minigames within Kingdom Hearts III inspired by the LCD handhelds of old.

Kingdom Hearts III is expected to be released for the PS4 and Xbox One sometime this year.

Disney is hosting the 2018 D23 Expo Japan in Tokyo this weekend, and Square Enix thought it was the perfect opportunity to unveil a brand new trailer for Kingdom Hearts III.

Fans got their first look at the RPG’s new world based on Monsters, Inc., as well as additional footage from levels that take place within Tangled and Toy Story. Square Enix also released a second trailer featuring the game’s never-before-heard theme song, “Don’t Think Twice” by Hikaru Utada, and more scenes from the game. You can find that video after the break.

But most important of all, both videos end with the promise that Kingdom Hearts III will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One sometime in 2018. It could be wishful thinking on Square Enix’s part, but it probably wouldn’t hurt if we all start clapping and shouting, “I do believe in fairies!” (more…)

“To Infinity… and Beyond!”

The Kingdom Hearts franchise has yet to cross over with Star Wars, but the upcoming Kingdom Hearts III will be exploring new and never-before-seen worlds, including a visit to Pixar’s Toy Story universe. You can watch as Sora meets Woody and Buzz Lightyear in the brand new trailer embedded above.

The new trailer follows Sora, Donald Duck and Goofy to Andy’s room as they join Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Hamm, Rex, and Sarge’s investigation into the disappearance of their fellow toys and Andy, and the emergence of the Heartless enemies in their world. Featuring an original storyline, fans will get a first look at the dynamic trio’s Toy Story-themed looks, all-new toys, such as the Gigas, and special Keyblades that transform and give Sora unique attacks to unleash on Heartless enemies.

“At long last, we are excited to open up the Kingdom Hearts universe to include the world of Pixar’s Toy Story,” said Tetsuya Nomura, the Director of the Kingdom Hearts series. “I’m sure fans have been anticipating the inclusion of this world for many years. The narrative will be an original story exclusive to Kingdom Hearts III, and the gameplay will feel characteristic of the Toy Story style and aesthetic. Please stay tuned for more details to be revealed soon.”

Toy Story‘s inclusion in Kingdom Hearts III was revealed this weekend at Disney’s D23 Expo, and Square Enix also confirmed (after hinting at it for several months) that the game will officially launch in 2018 for the PS4 and Xbox One.