Square Enix Will Launch Kingdom Hearts Collection in October
The comprehensive collection arrives on major consoles on October 8, 2026, offering new native versions for players.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Gaming
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Square Enix will release the Kingdom Hearts Collection featuring entries I through III on October 8, 2026. The launch includes native versions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Why it matters
This release marks a significant transition for the franchise, replacing older cloud-based streaming versions with native software across modern platforms. The move aims to stabilize access for the series ahead of future installments.
Digital pre-orders grant 48-hour early access and owners of previous digital versions are eligible for a 50% discount. Physical editions are confirmed for PlayStation 5 and Switch 2.
The players
Square Enix
Square Enix is a prominent Japanese video game developer and publisher known for creating major role-playing game franchises.
The details
The collection incorporates titles from Kingdom Hearts I through III alongside associated remixed content. While Switch 2 owners can manually transfer cloud save data, those playing on PlayStation 5 and Xbox platforms will not have native save transfer support.
Timeline
October 8, 2026: Official release of Kingdom Hearts Collection.
June 9, 2027: Cloud-streamed versions on Switch will cease operation.
Culture Shift
This release follows the trend of developers moving away from cloud-dependent gaming in favor of native hardware ports to ensure long-term stability. It aligns the franchise with the Kingdom Hearts IV development project by centralizing the back catalog on modern consoles.
Players currently owning digital versions of these titles on previous consoles should verify their eligibility to claim a 50% discount on pre-orders. Those utilizing cloud saves on Switch must prepare to manually transfer their data to the new native Switch 2 version.
The takeaway
This transition offers a more permanent way to archive and play the series on modern hardware. Fans should prioritize transferring their save data before the 2027 expiration date for cloud versions.
What happens next
The cloud-streamed versions of the games currently available on the Nintendo Switch are scheduled to be deactivated on June 9, 2027.
Further reading
Find more updates on upcoming titles in our Gaming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Notebookcheck.
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