A Newcomer's Perspective: Discovering Kingdom Hearts on Nintendo Switch 2

For many gaming enthusiasts, there exists a list of long-running franchises that they have always intended to play but never found the right moment to start. For me, Kingdom Hearts was at the very top of that list—a legendary action-RPG series blending iconic Disney worlds with Final Fantasy characters, which has evolved into its own complex lore since debuting in 2002 on the PlayStation 2.

The Perfect Entry Point

When Square Enix unveiled the new Kingdom Hearts Collection for the Nintendo Switch 2, I felt this was the definitive opportunity to finally jump in. The collection is comprehensive, removing any barriers like cloud streaming by including the core trilogy alongside various spin-off titles and cinematic experiences. For someone like me who feared the ship had sailed, this package is an incredibly accessible, high-value entry point.

A Rough Start, A Promising Future

Admittedly, the initial experience was a reality check. While the Switch 2 hardware offers performance improvements, the first game is still a product of its era. The early sections, set on a small island with trivial fetch quests, felt dated and slow—a stark contrast to the sprawling, polished action-RPGs of 2026. However, as soon as the story opened up and moved to Traverse Town, the narrative hooks began to sink in.

Why It Works on Switch 2

The real strength of the Kingdom Hearts Collection lies in its portability. Having massive, long-form RPGs accessible in handheld mode makes the daunting prospect of playing through ten titles significantly more manageable. Even with some mechanical clunkiness, the charm of the world-building, the iconic characters, and the emotional core of Sora’s journey kept me invested.

With Kingdom Hearts 4 on the horizon for 2027, this collection is not just a trip down memory lane for veterans; it is the ideal training ground for newcomers. Despite a challenging start, I am officially hooked and ready to see where this journey takes me.