Kingdom Hearts (game)

Kingdom Hearts

This is an article related to the Kingdom Hearts series of games. More information on this subject can be found on the Kingdom Hearts Wiki. Be sure to follow the coverage policy by only covering aspects of the Final Fantasy franchise.

Kingdom Hearts
キングダムハーツ Kingudamu Hātsu
Developer(s):	Square
Publisher(s):	Square
Platform(s):	PlayStation 2
Release date:	March 28, 2002 September 17, 2002 November 15, 2002 November 22, 2002 December 26, 2002 (Final Mix)
Genre:	Action RPG
Modes:	Single player
Ratings:	ESRB: Everyone

Kingdom Hearts is the first game of the Kingdom Hearts series. It was developed and published by Square for the PlayStation 2 in 2002. The game is a crossover between various Disney franchises and Final Fantasy. The game would go on to receive two direct sequels and numerous spin-offs.

History

The origins of Kingdom Hearts can be traced back to conversations between Shinji Hashimoto and Hironobu Sakaguchi about wanting to make a free roaming 3D game akin to Super Mario 64, but lamenting that only Disney character could rival the popularity of Mario. Tetsuya Nomura overheard these conversations and volunteered to direct this nebulous project. By a stroke of luck, Square and Disney Japan shared an office building at the time. Hashimoto would have a chance encounter with a Disney executive in an elevator which allowed him to pitch the concept of using Disney properties in this game, which was eventually approved in 2000. It was eventually decided that the game would be a crossover game with Disney and Final Fantasy characters interacting with original characters. Disney approved the concept on the condition that all original characters, settings and assets would be fully owned by them.

Final Mix and rereleases

Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, a version containing additional enemies and gameplay, was released in Japan on December 26th, 2002. This version was later released with additional improvements in the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX collection, which released in Japan on March 14th of 2013, as well as in North America and the EU in September of that year.

Relevance to Final Fantasy

Several characters from the Final Fantasy franchise appear throughout the game as both friends and foes. Several items and spells from the franchise also appear in this game and have largely similar functions.

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