GameTimeline

Release & story order

Kingdom Hearts timeline

Kingdom Hearts from the 2002 PS2 original through Kingdom Hearts III and the announced Kingdom Hearts IV—US release dates, Square Enix's main saga story order (Birth by Sleep first), and FAQ for 358/2 Days vs Chain of Memories, HD remasters, and mobile prequels.

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Square Enix shipped each main chapter and HD bundle—PS2 era (2002–2006) through KH III (2019), plus compilations on PS3/PS4/PC and Melody of Memory (2020). Mobile games (χ, Union Cross, Dark Road) are FAQ-only, not numbered rows here.

  • First playthrough → Release order (2002 → 2019)—how the fanbase experienced the plot twists as they shipped
  • Story-first path → Switch to Story tab: Birth by Sleep before Kingdom Hearts
  • One purchase on PC/console → Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX + HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue + KH III (or All-in-One where sold)
  • Skip Melody of Memory unless you want a rhythm recap—optional for story canon
Story order tips

One connected saga: Birth by Sleep (~10 years before KH1) → Kingdom Hearts → 358/2 Days → Chain of Memories → Kingdom Hearts II → Re:coded → Dream Drop Distance → Kingdom Hearts III → Kingdom Hearts IV (upcoming). Ancient Keyblade War material (χ / Back Cover) sits before everything—see FAQ.

  • Core saga: Birth by Sleep → KH1 → 358/2 Days → Chain of Memories → KH2 → Re:coded → Dream Drop Distance → KH3
  • 358/2 Days covers Roxas's year while Sora sleeps—Square Enix places it before Chain of Memories in the official saga list
  • Re:coded is short—watch the HD movie in 2.5 if you skip the DS game
  • Union Cross / χ Back Cover is ancient prehistory—optional before Birth by Sleep for lore completionists only

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Kingdom Hearts

    Kingdom Hearts

    PS2Action RPGMainline

    Sora, Donald, and Goofy—Destiny Islands to Hollow Bastion.

    Overview
    Square Enix meets Disney—real-time action on PS2 with Final Fantasy cameos and a crossover plot.
    In-game setting
    Story baseline for the entire saga; Final Mix adds optional boss content.
    Should you play it?
    Iconic starting point for release order. Story order begins with Birth by Sleep instead—see Story tab.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch September 17, 2002. HD in 1.5 ReMIX (2013); Steam via 1.5+2.5 bundle.
  2. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

    Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

    GBAAction RPGMainline

    Castle Oblivion—card-based battles and Sora's first memory arc.

    Overview
    GBA sequel with card combat; bridges KH1 and KH2 directly for Sora's journey.
    In-game setting
    Re:coded and KH2 assume you know CoM's ending—Riku's side story matters.
    Should you play it?
    Essential lore. Play Re:CoM in HD rather than hunting the GBA cart.
    Release date
    US GBA launch December 2, 2004. Re:Chain of Memories in 1.5 ReMIX replaces GBA for most players.
  3. Kingdom Hearts II

    Kingdom Hearts II

    PS2Action RPGMainline

    Twilight Town, Organization XIII, and a much bigger Disney tour.

    Overview
    Franchise peak for many fans—refined combat, Drive Forms, and widescreen worlds.
    In-game setting
    Picks up after CoM and 358/2 Days; Roxas prologue makes more sense after 358.
    Should you play it?
    Still the most-loved gameplay chapter. Do not skip CoM/358 story setup.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch March 28, 2006. Final Mix content in 2.5 ReMIX.
  4. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

    Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

    Nintendo DSAction RPGMainline

    Roxas and the Organization—one year between KH1 and KH2.

    Overview
    DS mission-based structure; mostly tells Roxas/Xion/Axel story through cutscenes.
    In-game setting
    Overlaps KH1's ending and Sora's year-long sleep before KH2.
    Should you play it?
    Watch the 1.5 movie if you skip gameplay—story order places it before Chain of Memories.
    Release date
    US DS launch September 29, 2009. HD movie included in 1.5 ReMIX—no need for DS hardware.
  5. Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

    Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

    PSPAction RPGMainline

    Terra, Aqua, and Ventus—prequel set ~10 years before KH1.

    Overview
    Three playable Keyblade apprentices; Command Deck combat on PSP.
    In-game setting
    Sets up Xehanort saga, Birth by Sleep trio, and events that echo through KH3.
    Should you play it?
    Story order starts here—not with KH1. Essential for understanding KH3 payoffs.
    Release date
    US PSP launch September 7, 2010. Final Mix in 2.5 ReMIX on modern platforms.
  6. Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

    Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

    Nintendo DSAction RPGMainline

    Data-world adventure inside Jiminy's journal—between KH2 and DDD.

    Overview
    Smaller DS episode; mostly sets up Dream Drop Distance and later saga threads.
    In-game setting
    HD cutscene movie in 2.5 ReMIX covers the plot for most players.
    Should you play it?
    Low priority gameplay—watch the 2.5 movie on Story order unless you want every row.
    Release date
    US DS launch January 11, 2011.
  7. Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance

    Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance

    Nintendo 3DSAction RPGMainline

    Sora and Riku's Mark of Mastery exam—Dream Eaters on 3DS.

    Overview
    Flowmotion and dual-protagonist structure; direct lead-in to Kingdom Hearts III.
    In-game setting
    Major saga setup for KH3's climax—do not skip before KH3 on Story order.
    Should you play it?
    Buy 2.8 bundle for HD DDD rather than 3DS alone.
    Release date
    US 3DS launch July 31, 2012. HD version in 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue.
  8. Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX

    Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX

    PS3CompilationRemaster

    KH Final Mix + Re:CoM + 358/2 Days HD movie.

    Overview
    First HD bundle—replaces PS2/GBA versions for KH1, CoM, and 358 movie.
    In-game setting
    Not a new story chapter—buy instead of hunting original discs.
    Should you play it?
    Release-history row. On Story order, play the included games—not "1.5" as a plot step.
    Release date
    US PS3 launch March 12, 2013. Later merged into 1.5+2.5 ReMIX on PS4/PC/Xbox.
  9. Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX

    Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX

    PS3CompilationRemaster

    KH II Final Mix + BBS Final Mix + Re:coded HD movie.

    Overview
    Completes the PS2/PSP/DS saga in HD except DDD and KH3.
    In-game setting
    Bundles the second half of the main saga remasters.
    Should you play it?
    Pair with 1.5+2.5 single purchase on modern stores when available.
    Release date
    US PS3 launch January 20, 2015.
  10. Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

    Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

    PS4CompilationRemaster

    Dream Drop Distance HD + 0.2 Birth by Sleep + χ Back Cover movie.

    Overview
    Bridges KH2 era to KH3—includes playable 0.2 Aqua chapter and Keyblade War prelude film.
    In-game setting
    Back Cover summarizes χ mobile lore; 0.2 is a short KH3 prologue.
    Should you play it?
    Required before KH3 for DDD HD and 0.2. Back Cover optional but helpful.
    Release date
    US PS4 launch January 24, 2017. Also on PC/Xbox via modern bundles.
  11. Kingdom Hearts III

    Kingdom Hearts III

    PS4Xbox OnePCAction RPGMainline

    Seekers of Darkness climax—Guardians vs Xehanort across new Disney worlds.

    Overview
    First mainline in 14 years—updated combat, huge worlds, and saga payoff for fans.
    In-game setting
    Story cap of the Xehanort arc; epilogue sets up Kingdom Hearts IV.
    Should you play it?
    Current main saga endpoint until KH IV. Play after 2.8 on Story order.
    Release date
    US launch January 29, 2019. Re Mind DLC (2020) adds extra boss chapters—FAQ only.
  12. Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory
    Optional

    Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory

    SwitchPS4Xbox OnePCRhythmOptional

    Rhythm recap with a short post-KH3 story framing scene.

    Overview
    Rhythm game tour of series music—not a mainline action RPG chapter.
    In-game setting
    Tiny story bridge toward KH IV in cutscenes; gameplay is music-focused.
    Should you play it?
    Optional unless you want every post-KH3 story beat before KH IV.
    Release date
    US launch November 13, 2020.
  13. Kingdom Hearts IV

    Kingdom Hearts IV

    TBDAction RPGMainlineUpcoming

    Announced at KH3's 2020 Re Mind update—Quadratum and the next saga arc.

    Overview
    Next mainline chapter after the Xehanort saga; Unreal Engine shown in early trailer.
    In-game setting
    Story placement after KH3 epilogue and Melody of Memory framing—details TBD.
    Should you play it?
    Upcoming row—will update after Square Enix announces a firm date.
    Release date
    No release date as of June 2026—platforms and schedule may change.

FAQ

Release vs story order, 358/2 Days placement, HD collections, χ/Union Cross mobile lore, Melody of Memory, and upcoming KH IV.

Release order

Release order is when Square Enix shipped each game in the US (2002–2020, plus KH IV upcoming). Story order follows the main saga timeline Square Enix uses in HD collections: Birth by Sleep first, then Kingdom Hearts, 358/2 Days, Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II, Re:coded, Dream Drop Distance, and Kingdom Hearts III. Use Release to experience twists as fans did in real time; use Story for the intended lore sequence.

New to the series → Story order starting with Birth by Sleep (in 1.5+2.5 ReMIX). Nostalgia / how fans first played → Release order from Kingdom Hearts (2002). Budget buy → one PC/console purchase of 1.5+2.5 ReMIX + 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue + KH III. Skip Melody of Memory unless you want rhythm gameplay or the tiny post-KH3 story scenes.

Story & saga

Both sit between Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II. Square Enix's official saga order (used in HD collections) is Kingdom Hearts → 358/2 Days → Chain of Memories → Kingdom Hearts II. 358 covers Roxas's year with Organization XIII while Sora sleeps; CoM follows Sora into Castle Oblivion. Some fans swap CoM before 358 because CoM is Sora's immediate KH1 sequel—either works, but this page follows Square Enix's bundle order.

HD & bundles

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX includes KH1 Final Mix, Re:Chain of Memories, 358/2 Days movie, KH2 Final Mix, Birth by Sleep Final Mix, and Re:coded movie. Add HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue for Dream Drop Distance HD, Kingdom Hearts 0.2, and χ Back Cover movie. Then Kingdom Hearts III. That is the full main saga on modern platforms—no need to buy the separate PS3 1.5 and 2.5 discs if you get the combined 1.5+2.5 package.

Optional & mobile

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.