So, you’ve heard of Kingdom Hearts but don’t know where to start? As daunting as it may seem, with so many prequels, sequels, interquels, and some surprises along the way Kingdom Hearts remains a beloved and truly beautiful game decades after its first release. While the series may seem confusing at first, the beauty is in how the story slowly reveals itself, layer by layer. So, whether you’re after the story, character moments, or gameplay, let me break down a few ways to approach it (from one mega fan to a future one).

1.The Classic Release Order: Rediscover Kingdom Hearts the Way Fans Did

Starting with the release order lets you relive the Kingdom Hearts story in the exact way longtime fans like me did. With this approach, you get to experience the twists, turns, and unexpected character arcs just as we did when the games were first released. There’s something nostalgic about it, but it also lets you appreciate how he gameplay, graphics, and storytelling evolved. If you’d like to start this way, here is the order:

1. Kingdom Hearts (2002) - This is where it all began! Meeting Sora, Donald, and Goofy for the first time still feels magical. It’s simple yet captivating, and the original Disney worlds keep you hooked.

2. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (2004) - This one’s a bit different with its card-based combat, but it bridges the story between KH1 and KH2 and introduces Organization XIII (very important if you’ve already started the series).

3. Kingdom Hearts II (2005): Often hailed as the series high point, KH2 raises the stakes, expanding on both combat and story, and making Organization XIII a real threat.

4. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (2009) - A story about Roxas, one of the most layered characters in the series. This entry gives you an emotional look at Organization XIII through his eyes.

5. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep (2010) - A prequel (and my favorite!) that introduces new characters and backstory. Here, you start to understand where the Keyblade saga began.

6. Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (2010) - Primary a retelling of KH1 with some interesting twists, it’s more of a side story but has a few nuggets of lore.

7. Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance (2012) - This one introduces the concept of dream worlds and marks a significant shift in the story.

8. Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep- A Fragmentary Passage (2017) - Short but beautiful, this game offers a taste of Kingdom Hearts III gameplay and bridges Birth by Sleep and KH3.

9. Kingdom Hearts III (2019) - The grand finale (for now) tha brings many storylines to a close in spectacular fashion. Worth every moment.

10. Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory (2020) - A rhythm game that acts as an epilogue to KH3, setting up future adventures.

If you go with release order, it’s a bit of a time commitment, but it’s honestly an experience like no other. You’ll see the series grow from its humble beginnings to the epic, visually stunning saga it is today.

2.The Chronological Order: Experience the Storyline from Start to Finish

For those who want the most linear story experience possible, chronological order follows the in-game timeline rather than the release order. It’s definitely more straightforward this way, but be warned—starting with Birth by Sleep reveals a lot of story elements that were initially meant to be discovered later.

Here’s what that path would look like:

1. Birth by Sleep

2. Kingdom Hearts

3. Chain of Memories

4. 358/2 Days

5. Kingdom Hearts II

6. Re:coded

7. Dream Drop Distance

8. Birth by Sleep

9. Kingdom Hearts III

10. Melody of Memories

This order helps with character understanding and timeline consistency but lacks some of the mystery intended in the original release order.

3. The “Essential” Path: Just the Core Story

If you’re not ready to commit to the entire series but want to enjoy the main storyline, I recommend this for anyone who’s short on time but want to experience the major events.

1. Kingdom Hearts

2. Kingdom Hearts II

3. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep

4. Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance

5. Kingdom Hearts III

This approach keeps everything simple but means you’ll miss some character and side stories from games like 358/2 Days or Chain of Memories.

4. The Kingdom Hearts Method: A Convenient and Complete Approach

If you want everything in one place, the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX and Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Collections are your best bet. Consider starting here for the remastered versions, cutscene movies for the DS games, and a way to play almost every game in order:

1. Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX - Includes Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Birth by Sleep Final Mix, and movies for 358/2 Days and Re:coded.

2. Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue - Includes Dream Drop Distance, 0.2:; Birth by Sleep, and the Kingdom Hearts X Back Cover movie.

3. Kingdom Hearts III (sold separately)

These collections offer the best visual experience and are a great choice if you’re in for the long haul. Everything is streamlined, and you’ll get all the lore you’ll ever need.

Final Thoughts: Find Your Path, Enjoy the Journey

Every approach offers a unique way to experience Kingdom Hearts, so there’s no single “correct” way to play. If you’re a completionist, jump in with the collections. For the simplest introduction, stick to the core games, And if you’re a traditionalist, the release order might be the way to go.

So, grab a controller, pick a path, and get ready for one of the most unforgettable journeys in gaming. The worlds of Kingdom Hearts await!