After years of waiting, Square Enix finally dropped a bombshell during the June 2026 Nintendo Direct: Kingdom Hearts IV is real, it has a new trailer, and it is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 alongside PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. But here is the catch — there is still no concrete release date, and fans are divided between excitement and frustration. Let us break down everything that was announced.
Kingdom Hearts IV Gets a Surprise Reveal
Directed once again by the legendary Tetsuya Nomura, Kingdom Hearts IV made its official debut with a cinematic trailer during the Nintendo Direct showcase on June 9, 2026. The trailer showed glimpses of a darker, more mature world for Sora and his companions, though Square Enix was careful to keep major story details under wraps.
The game will launch on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC — marking the first time a mainline Kingdom Hearts title will be available on a Nintendo platform day one. For years, fans have dreamed of playing Sora’s adventure on a handheld, and the Switch 2 makes that dream a reality.
However, the trailer was notably short on gameplay footage and story specifics. As one Reddit user put it: “Still barely any info. Still no release date with likely over a year and maybe multiple until release.” That sentiment echoed across social media, with thousands of fans expressing both hype and impatience.
Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] — The Real Star of the Show
While Kingdom Hearts IV stole headlines, the arguably more practical announcement was the Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III], launching October 8, 2026 on all current-gen platforms. This massive bundle includes:
- KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX- (six games in one)
- KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (three titles)
- KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind DLC
That is over a dozen games and cutscene compilations, all running natively on modern hardware — no cloud streaming required. The collection will be available both digitally and physically on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Microsoft Store. The HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX will also release separately on the original Nintendo Switch.
Pre-orders opened immediately on June 9, and each platform gets an exclusive Keyblade skin: the Long Night for Switch 2, Midnight Blue for PS5, and Phantom Green for Xbox.
Free Kingdom Hearts III Demo Drops Today
In a generous move, Square Enix also released a free demo for KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind on Nintendo Switch 2. The demo covers two sections:
- The beginning of the game through the early stages of Olympus (inspired by Disney’s Hercules) — save data carries over to the full game
- The start to middle part of Toy Box World (inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story) — save data does not carry over
For newcomers who have been intimidated by the series’ notoriously complex lore, this demo is the perfect entry point. You can experience Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy’s adventure firsthand before committing to the full collection.
Why Fans Are Divided
The reaction to the Kingdom Hearts IV announcement has been… complicated. On one hand, the sheer excitement of seeing Tetsuya Nomura’s vision continue is undeniable. The Nintendo Direct trailer has already racked up millions of views across platforms.
On the other hand, the Kingdom Hearts franchise has a well-known reputation for lengthy development cycles and cryptic storytelling. Fans have been waiting since Kingdom Hearts III launched in 2019 — that is seven years ago. And with Nomura also juggling Final Fantasy projects, many are worried about another extended wait.
The lack of gameplay footage in the KH IV trailer did not help either. While the cinematic looks stunning, players want to see the combat system, the new worlds, and how the story will continue after the shocking ending of Kingdom Hearts III’s Re Mind DLC.
What We Know So Far About Kingdom Hearts IV’s Story
Based on the trailer and previous teasers, Kingdom Hearts IV will take the series in a more urban, realistic direction. Sora appears in a world that looks strikingly like a real-world city, a departure from the Disney-heavy settings of previous entries. The “lost” theme seems central to the plot, with hints that Sora may be searching for something — or someone — he has forgotten.
Donald Duck and Goofy are confirmed to return, though their exact role in this new chapter remains unclear. Square Enix has promised that more details will be revealed “in the future,” but has not committed to a specific timeframe.
What Do You Think?
Are you excited about Kingdom Hearts IV, or are you tired of waiting with no release date in sight? Will you be picking up the Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] on October 8 to catch up, or are you sitting this one out? And the big question — is Tetsuya Nomura still the right person to lead the franchise forward?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. We want to hear from both the lifelong fans and the newcomers who just downloaded that free demo!
