The History Of Kingdom Hearts

With Kingdom Hearts 3 upon us, now's the perfect time to look back at how a unlikely union between the House of Mouse and the creators of Final Fantasy lead to a series all it's own.
Want to be caught up on the plot of Kingdom Hearts before playing 3? Read our story recap! www.gamespot.com/articles/kin...

[@redmoon383]

Those opening notes bring chills to my spine

[@Nobodysurvivesevenonebit]

Dear beloved is so sad. It gives me chills too.

[@redmoon383]

@@Nobodysurvivesevenonebit I never even knew the name of it, it's just always been an amazing score and also so chilling

[@NSFSponsor]

For the longest I hadn't even remembered playing a KH game. But I heard this track and instantly knew what it was from.

[@ItsMikeDaze]

Man the music deserves so much praise

[@cjdahnz]

I remember going into Best Buy when I was 12 buying this hyped game Kingdom Hearts for 20 bucks. My jaw dropped and I was emotional when I beat it and it was awesome.

[@Wickedmantis]

And now we have Kingdom Hearts 4 on the way.....my grandchildren Will be happy

[@NoctLightCloud]

my favourite game series next to Final Fantasy!

[@mysticallyra7652]

I loved playing kingdom hearts when I was younger. I miss those days.

[@joshirby6659]

I’m a 24 adult whose replaying an old childhood friend that got added to game pass as all the collections and I just beat kh2fm (lingering Will is insanity ) I think what gets there for me with kingdom hearts is it’s authenticity . The games plot may be wonky and convoluted at times, but it’s honest with what it is The experimental nature is unapologetic . For as annoying as it is often go people that it’s ported to different consoles , they push the envelope with what their gameplay is and what new settings they can go with it I really think the game doesn’t compromise its own identity and that’s why I love it It’s a long journey ahead but I’m here for the ride

[@jaysky3031]

truly love this game deeply. complicated story it may be, but once you fully understand it, it kind of blows your mind. I've always identified with "Roxas" my all time favorite character. I cant really explain why just have. so much that I had to tattoo the nobody symbol on my forearm. " soaring llike Sora and beating down the heartless, but I'm just a nobody you can call me Roxas, this pencil is my keyblade and I keep it sharpened, taking life to great heights no magic carpet." haha i wrote that . such a nerd. KH ALL DAY!!

[@RockerMicke1]

Wasn’t Michael Eisner still the president of Disney at the time when kingdom hearts was made?!

[@jdude9365]

CEO and Chairman, actually. And yes, he was still there at the time. Bob Iger was president of COO of Disney during that period. He would take over Eisner’s job in 2005.

[@mayraalejandragonzalezeraz5886]

I think that now that disney is interesting in the anime industrie Kingdom hearts coul have an anime adaptation.

[@paganavenger8920]

I did not know that that the video game franchise of Kingdom Hearts would have the concept of positive messaging, which I think seems to be impossible for most other games that I have played in the past during the days of my childhood and my parents wouldn't know anything about it.

[@Amber_xo_133]

Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover Kingdom Hearts χ[chi] Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross] Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Kingdom Hearts Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts coded Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage- Kingdom Hearts III In Chronological Order

[@2timesNOLA]

What’s up with nomura obsession with lead characters with tails? Zidene, early sora concept, ect..

[@kaoticwatching]

Video started out great theh went to crap when started doing a time-line and explaining game play i want a legit history of the game...like I said the first 7 minutes was just that.

[@izak-_play8]

I wish this games earned and anime series

[@onyxleoheart5226]

👑KINGDOM HEARTS FOREVER!!!!👑 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@TheFLAMEXD]

Yeah... I am never playing Kingdom Hearts. I don’t have that kind of time.

[@Yukiukixx33]

I love the sell off of this tribute but none of the games are hard to follow..

[@Yukiukixx33]

just to add the constant harping on the plot makes the video unbearable

[@marcosmata8233]

Kingdom hearts as RWBY x Justice League

[@marcosmata8233]

Power rangers / hot wheels / Nerf meets kingdom hearts

[@Seancjmarshall]

Peak of Disney

[@sephiroth7129]

Not all kingdom hearts

[@sullypwz7864]

those are the worst game story i 've ever known

[@tomgu2285]

They aren't don't be ridiculous

[@TeaCaku]

Man I remember playing the first KH game in middle school. It's been a amazing journey through the stories of each game. I truly love each one at every stage of my life, it honestly grew on me.

[@tooblind1731]

Yes, definitely for sure. My friends told me about the game when I was in 7th or 8th grade. I was lucky enough that one of them sold their copy to me for a dub. Love the series. Just have to turn my brain off for the story, ha.

[@kclink1579]

It's cheating putting Dearly Beloved at the beginning.

[@TheDragonaf1]

Fuck me, every time a new game was discussed i could remember the moments in my life to when i played them. This video literally took me through a history of my own life. Beautiful music, wonderful video.

[@samuelkeene1589]

That opening song of Kingdom Hearts 2 still immediately transports me back to being a little kid sitting in front of a busted old CRT.

[@Zephhi]

Samuel Keene Same with KH1 lol

[@zayjay26]

Lucy knows her Kingdom Hearts, great work as always 🙏🏻🔥

[@nintendorakyamato1859]

Wonder how will it look on Switch

[@BoomstickGaming]

Nice production values on this. Great work!

[@flufflenuggit6499]

Everyone is Xehanort.

[@roiitzkovich4545]

Even my basketball is norted.

[@Botan_Katou]

Everyone has been norted.

[@TheProdigalSaint]

Everyone else is Sora.

[@YhelloWish]

OK I believe you.

[@truej23og]

Okay This is a DAMNED good KH video, as someone who has only played KH1 and 2, this info has filled me in on what happened in between the “first” two games. Also this wasn’t too dry or boring. Great Job!!!

[@MuddyGreenMonster]

Nicely put together. Thanks, Lucy.

[@Sjono]

22:43 “For the first time in the series it featured a multiplayer mode.” Chain of Memories featured a multiplayer mode in the GBA version

[@jayDee92133]

I feel bad for anybody thinking they can go into 3 after just playing 1&2.

[@mr.unlucky458]

It would be like jumping into Infinity War after only watching the Phase 1 movies, and the other two Avengers movies

[@dartez666]

Or after playing none of them, in the case of xbox gamers...

[@ruxis8179]

@@mr.unlucky458 to be fair a lot of people probably did that and thorough enjoyed it Same can be said for kh3 Plus the memory archives are there for a catch up A game can still be fun even if you're missing out on some plot

[@mr.unlucky458]

@@ruxis8179 I definitely agree. This game will still be tons of fun, especially with the inclusion of the Memory Archive. Still, I'd imagine it'd be extremely confusing at first

[@ruxis8179]

@@mr.unlucky458 oh yea for sure

[@nymphomaniacdrummer]

Disappointed that 358/2 wasnt remade for an HD version..... that's one I really wanted to play on the ps4

[@kazamastylebatsurealmofbea6269]

Man the kh2 opening never gets old. I like it alot more than kh3's opening theme song

[@yeahthatsright33]

Realm Of Chaos I think they tried to be hip with picking skrillex but they’re like 6 years too late

[@rizkijuanda85]

@@yeahthatsright33 I like Don't Think Twice waaaaaaay more than Face My Fears, but nothing can replace the epicness of Hikari and Dearly Beloved.

[@yeahthatsright33]

Yeah, honestly the fact that she knocked it out the park a second time with Sanctuary is pretty unlikely as is and we're lucky for that. She probably would have made a more recognizable "kingdom hearts'y" sounding song if they didn't choose to partner with Skrillex.@@rizkijuanda85 Don't think twice is better i agree, but I'm just happy that Face my Fears is still a good song, I don't think its bad at all

[@Nobodysurvivesevenonebit]

Dear beloved gives me goosebumps.

[@Mary-fy8qi]

Excellent video! Teared up I can't believe the game is literally right around the corner!

[@waltermiller5977]

Tx for making this video, always wondered about this title

[@mediamastermenard2858]

Every time I hear dearly beloved I get nostalgic tears.

[@mr.otaku2004]

I'm new to this series so it's way over my head of the large amounts of story and learning each event.

[@kadosho02]

Amazing doc, from start to finish. KH is filled with so much to explore, it can be a daunting task. I cannot wait til the 29th

[@nolandm45]

The graphics and framerates on these clips is amazing; is that from the 2019 package with all the games. Its gorgeous!!

[@jacobdominguez7808]

Oh, the nostalgia...😢😢😢 I've been playing Kingdom Hearts 3 & it's GREAT so far!

[@HerFirstTime]

I had never heard of the V Cast game! This was incredible, helped manage the wait for the 29th.

[@chovue2363]

I have literally bought all my gaming systems because of kingdom hearts.

[@AppleSundays]

Who else is watching any video about kingdom hearts (while avoiding the spoilers from posted playthroughs from people who live in places with earlier releases) because you’re (im)patiently waiting for your own copy in the US

[@Zedris]

Played every single game and have been waiting for this for literally 17 years. No game gives me a smile like im 10 in my room like any kingdom hearts games do.

[@spydamark]

The only other game franchise that is as complicated as this is the metal gaer franchise by the great hideo kojima good job my sister on explaining this to the ones who dont know the story.

[@jayDee92133]

Kingdom Hearts isn't complicated as long as you play all the games.

[@MrSingh1150]

Kingdom hearts is complicated random shit and weird story line but kh2 makes a little more sense and story is better all the others games are just ok

[@fredymendez3864]

That piano intro is so iconic best intro of all time

[@keybladechips]

Amazing job Lucy!!!!

[@karloluffy]

Amazing job, Lucy! Also why can i not hear the music in this game without getting teary eyed, damnit ;.;

[@sleepycowboy18]

I remembered sleeping listening dearly beloved of the title screen when i was a kid, it's really beautiful and peaceful :')

[@pllynyxq5896]

Well made video, bravo!

[@matthewadams2723]

Never played kingdom hearts before, just got kingdom hearts 3 this video was really helpful thankyou.

[@michaelappleseed1993]

Thank you for this!

[@marialuisalim6354]

My fist game was the one with glitches on nintendo ds It brought me to tears :,) I remember now the title is kindom hearts recoded

[@hanr151]

This was amazing.

[@Renegaiden_]

7:31 WHAT WERE THOSE "DARK" MOMENTS, GAMESPOT?

[@johng9106]

Great video

[@zacharyraker8703]

Why does everybody think this is the last Kingdom Hearts game?! Nomura said himself there’s still going to be more KH after this one.

[@takerukari]

Kingdom hearts 3 is only the end of the Xehanort Saga, it seems based on the ending, we'll may be giving the foretellers a visit, along with a side visit to TWNY.

[@fredriccilbrith1995]

I cried during the opening notes of kingdom hearts 2

[@keybladesrus]

"Final part of his journey"... Yeah, about that... It's already been confirmed on multiple occasions that KH3 is just the end of the Dark Seeker Saga, and that the series will continue after it. This is not the last we'll be seeing of Sora & Friends.

[@bubblebuster4702]

Bravo! That was beautiful, it brings a tear to my eye

[@bubblebuster4702]

@@mangekyotashi What??? Im confused lol

[@bubblebuster4702]

@@mangekyotashi My spelling was always correct LMAO!!!! You Ok Bro? LOL!!!

[@kclink1579]

Good to see Lucy still at GameSpot.

[@stargazer2407]

Every time someone says the “End” of Kingdom Hearts my first thought is. Are you sure about that?

[@Nardilicious]

I got hooked on KH just by listening to their soundtrack. It's so beautiful

[@adeadphish7931]

Sakaguchi always had his fixation on storytelling in gaming according to most stories but I didnt know it went as far as stated he. I guess that explains the rollercoaster that is KH

[@VideoNinja117_Plays]

Very good job.

[@TheAnimeMegaFreak]

always remember, having these spin-off titles gave us a lot of lores involved. other after playing 3, there be a lot of questions with Master Xehanort goal and why.

[@jefflaclaire2206]

These games really make you feel like kingdom hearts

[@SoundwormBite]

Gamespot don't deserve Lucy.

[@PBNrandom]

We ALMOST had a Kingdom Hearts animated series?! Why did have to shelve it? I hope Disney can revisit the idea 😞

[@darkdeath174]

Fun note, KHUX is actually a sequel to KHX. The world fails and KHUX is the story of them trying to survive in a digital world rebooted world(Which they change right before the last keyblade war). So there are no fortellers, as they are gone, in hiding or dead currently.)

[@calvinmatthews1527]

The franchise that shattered expectations!

[@Zephhi]

My childhood up to now...

[@Luxius1509]

I am a PC person, only play KH1 and 2 back then on Ps2, after all those years I finally decided to buy a Ps4 JUST BECAUSE OF KH3. I also got the bundle to fill all the plot holes and damn they worth every single pennies

[@muhammadakbaramin]

Thanks 👍

[@noahdean9685]

That's probably going to be a Kingdom Hearts game between Kingdom Hearts 3 and Kingdom Hearts 4 just like recoded and 358/2 days

[@MrSingh1150]

Don't dream too far nobody lol

[@Botan_Katou]

Who knows? KH3 is the last of the Xehanort saga. They'll probably release a teaser/prologue game after KH3 to prepare us for what's next, whatever that may be.

[@DaFro3713]

Noah Dean honestly, I hope this isn’t the case. They’ve built it up as the FINAL game. As such, the trailers have even given off a “series finale” feel to them. I just think it would be a little ridiculous to have a KH4 when it took half a decade to twist Nomura‘ arm (especially since he already doesn’t have a sense of priority on big projects COUGHCOUGHFFVS13COUGHCOUGHFF7REMAKE) to green light the game and another half decade to make the game.

[@theftking]

Did GameStop just hire the guys from the late GameTrailers who used to produce their retrospective videos? I'm not complaining, I loved those videos, and these are great too. I'm just curious because they're like... the exact same thing. The problem is... GT literally made this exact same video. It was called _Timeline: Kingdom Hearts_ and it's literally in the suggested box for this video. It was made back in 2013, yeah, but it's not like there have been any major KH releases since then (other than 3 which literally JUST came out and thus isn't covered in this entry). Also it was 50+ minutes instead of 34, though whether or not that's a good thing is to be determined (haven't finished this one yet). Regardless, it's a little awkward that GameStop could just be stealing GT's retrospective/timeline videos, yet experiencing no consequences because GT is dead. Even that would be strange, because IGN owns the GT content now and could totally file a claim against GameStop's ripoff videos (though it remains to be seen whether or not they would prevail in court or be able to force a settlement).

[@Rorujin]

*First time it mentions criticizing the plot* "A repetead criticism of Kingdom Hearts as you have noticed"

[@kingofthesharks]

Dream Drop Distance plot was WTF until i realized it's basically Inception + Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

[@mactastic144]

Bob Iger wasn’t the CEO of Disney until 2005. How did he allow the company to use Disney characters and worlds if he wasn’t the CEO?

[@enerjem3131]

He still had a high-level position for Disney; the video suggests that this was when he was president of "Walt Disney International"

[@mactastic144]

EnerJem They didn’t say that though.

[@enerjem3131]

They said they were able to meet with "then-president Bob Iger"

[@mactastic144]

EnerJem Sorry, maybe I was hearing what I wanted to hear.

[@novaquinn5323]

Great Video @9:01 Utada is American though. She was born and New York!

[@blackphoenix77]

Sora with lion ears and tail should've been the form he took on in the Lion King's world. Also, that Kingdom Hearts cartoon should've happened.

[@SoNGY8888]

3 MORE DAYS!

[@joshgoodman9882]

I remember these were one of my favorite games as a kid. I remember thinking “what the fuck is going on” for most of it. But then why did it make me so damn emotional 😭 really hope KH3 lives up to the rest.

[@MrSingh1150]

Josh Goodman your emotions makes you weak and a fool.

[@AdrianAye]

My summer vacation is over is literally the saddest shit I had to deal with when I was a kid. Like wow game, way to wipe someone out of existence.

[@Jheavenly95]

You forgot Mandy Moore (This is Us) played Aerith in Kingdom Hearts

[@nathanbailey6231]

My freaking god I can't believe how amazing the combat looks, THANK GOD some developers have the guts to say hey...we should upgrade to the new engine.....*ahem Bethesda*

[@LawinReborn]

Why do people dislike this?

[@phichau90]

Im hearing that on 3, theres no FF characters in the game, is this true?

[@darklordvyper1169]

I hope the collections for 1 and 2 get released on xbox, because I'm not buying a ps4 just for kingdom hearts. I'm not even picking up 3 until that happens.

[@jairoramirez8699]

Can you do the history of Hitman

[@generalgrievous9947]

YES!

[@kaiiboraka]

"difficult to follow plot" the emphasis should SQUARELY BE on *FOLLOW* in this sentence, which is not the same as *UNDERSTAND*. It was difficult to FOLLOW because the games came out across like 5 different platforms over the course of a decade, but since the PS3 and now PS4 collections, that problem has long since been completely rectified. "Convoluted: (especially of an argument, story, or sentence) extremely complex and difficult to follow." Just because it's made up anime nonsense doesn't make it confusing or hard to understand. It's really not all that complex. It feels like most typical people just don't want to be bothered to pay attention and want all their plot to be linear, spoonfed drivel. What's wrong with telling a story by layering revelations piece by piece? It's not SUPPOSED to be experienced chronologically, anyway. /endrant

[@devontejefferson6520]

Brandon Graham finally someone said it

[@samuraiblack6499]

Brandon Graham THANK YOU!!! I really needed to know someone else understood this 😂

[@NSFSponsor]

Still Square's fault for allowing Nomura to release mainline canon games on so many different platforms.

[@chadmorton9259]

Brandon Graham You just said its made up anime nonsense then followed that with that doesn’t make it difficult to understand. NONSENSE - spoken or written words that have no meaning or make no sense. So of course that makes the story convoluted i.e. hard to understand.

[@camrnjurena]

Technically you're correct, but it got so much harder to follow once DDS came out and introduced Time Travel.

[@lateknight4838]

2 days!!!!!! Get up on the hydras back!!

[@kinmaker1]

How did they have the Ultima Weapon so early in KHII?

[@nemorulz6987]

kinmaker1 u have to get to the world that never was to get it

[@kinmaker1]

@@nemorulz6987 I know that. But they have it way before they got to that world.

[@DedricSilva]

I'm ready! Kingdom Hearts is one of the best game series of all time but has a confusing story

[@jakeryan2805]

I still think about what this series could have been if Nomura hadn't made the asinine decision to put half the series on different consoles besides the ps2/3. It really fragmented the user base, and made the story feel more complicated then it is..(it is still a mess with all the cloning and time travel) but if all the games had been on ps2/3 we wouldn't have had so many people in the dark before they made the HD collections. Not a single game in the series has been side content. Everything has had an impact or was important info to the overarching story. If you haven't watched all the cut scenes online or played all the previous games, I wouldn't recommend jumping in with KH3 period.