My Top 5 from the Kingdom Hearts series

To mark the release of the Kingdom Hearts Collection [I–III] on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2, let’s take a look back at the five chapters that have left the deepest impression on me from my favorite video game series.

There are series that stay with you for a few years, and others that, in one way or another, end up becoming a part of you.

For me, Kingdom Hearts undoubtedly belongs to the second category.

The collaboration between Disney and Square Enix has given rise to a universe that, behind its colorful atmosphere, iconic characters, and the worlds we all know, hides a story far more complex and multifaceted than one might imagine at first glance… a saga capable of making me smile, move me, and, on more than one occasion, shed a few tears.

On October 8, 2026, with the release of Kingdom Hearts Collection [I–III] on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, the perfect opportunity returns to talk—yet again—about the great adventures of Sora and his friends.

Of course, what you’re about to read will be completely spoiler-free for those lucky enough to experience the Disney-Square Enix saga for the first time…

The compilation includes three collections, featuring the main installments and several key episodes essential to understanding the entire story.

For me, however, this is above all an excuse to talk once again about a series I’m deeply attached to.

Let me start by saying that this isn’t meant to be an objective ranking of the best installments, nor a guide on which game you should play first—it’s simply my top 5, based on a combination of gameplay, story, characters, and, above all, the emotions each adventure managed to evoke in me.

And no, with the exception of the top spot—which was clear to me right from the start—it wasn’t easy to choose.

5. Kingdom Hearts 1

The first, historic installment—and the most iconic of them all.

I know some people might turn up their noses at seeing Sora’s original adventure ranked only fifth, but unfortunately—at least as far as I’m concerned—it’s the one among the five that has been most affected by the passage of time (and obviously, I’d say…)

When it came out, Kingdom Hearts represented something extraordinary: the convergence of two seemingly worlds apart—the Disney universe and the Final Fantasy universe—united in an adventure that no one could have imagined up until that point. A crazy idea, but one that worked incredibly well.

The problem is that the first installment wasn’t conceived with the goal of sustaining a saga destined to unfold over more than twenty years; it was, first and foremost, an ambitious experiment—a grand adventure centered on the discovery of Disney worlds and the journey of Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy.

For this reason, when compared to what would come later, certain limitations inevitably emerge.

The original cast is still very limited, and aside from the trio of Sora, Riku, and Kairi, it lacks the variety of original characters that would later help make the saga so special.

Even the plot, while introducing elements fundamental to the entire narrative universe, does not yet reach the emotional peaks and complexity that would characterize the subsequent installments.

There is, however, one exception that remains unforgettable to me: Hollow Bastion. It is here that the game shifts gears, raises the stakes, and delivers some of its most memorable moments.

From a technical standpoint, moreover, the game inevitably shows its age. When viewed in the context of its time, however, it’s impossible not to recognize its value.

The first Kingdom Hearts remains the starting point for everything I love about the series… It’s just that, over the years, other installments have understandably managed to achieve more.

4. Kingdom Hearts III

The most controversial entry in my Top 5.

Kingdom Hearts III was long overdue, surrounded by enormous expectations and a level of pressure that few other games have had to endure. When it finally arrived in 2019, it inevitably divided the audience.

And, as far as I’m concerned, I understand many of the criticisms leveled at it.

Narratively, the game has several issues; some plot points are addressed too late, others aren’t resolved until the very end, and it feels like the main story really starts to come together only when we’re nearing the adventure’s conclusion.

After all that waiting, I would have liked a more balanced pacing of events and greater attention to certain characters who deserved much more screen time.

Yet, despite these flaws, Kingdom Hearts III remains one of the entries I’ve enjoyed the most.

It’s the most modern, and—excluding *Melody of Memory* for obvious reasons, since it belongs to an entirely different category—it’s also the one that benefits most from the series’ technological evolution.

The gameplay is dynamic, spectacular, and incredibly varied; the battles are fun; Sora has a wide range of options at his disposal; and the entire adventure manages to deliver a pace that—controller in hand—really won me over.

But the reason it ranks fourth is also much more personal.

Kingdom Hearts III made me cry. And not just a little.

After having built up all the emotions from the previous installments, finally finding myself face-to-face with certain moments, characters, and situations carried an enormous emotional weight. Not everything was handled the way I would have liked, but that doesn’t erase what I felt.

I can acknowledge its plot holes, missed opportunities, and questionable narrative choices, without downplaying the connection I have with it.

Because a game can be imperfect and still manage to leave you with something special.

3. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

When it comes to emotions, we’re entering dangerous territory here.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is one of those installments that shows just how far the series can go beyond its Disney worlds and battles against the darkness. It’s a story that focuses on the characters, their bonds, and the very meaning of friendship.

Above all, it’s the story of an extraordinary trio: Roxas, Axel, and Xion.

I don’t want to go into too much detail to avoid spoilers for those who haven’t played this installment yet, but the relationship between these three characters is, for me, one of the series’ greatest moments.

Their moments together, their little habits, their seemingly innocuous dialogues, and the way their bond develops all contribute to building something incredibly powerful. It’s precisely through these details that the game manages to hit so hard.

And when the time comes to reap what the story has sown, it’s hard to remain indifferent.

Narratively speaking, I consider 358/2 Days one of the most successful and heart-wrenching installments in the saga. It’s a testament to just how effective Kingdom Hearts can be when it chooses to focus on its original characters, pushing the more spectacular aspects of the adventure into the background.

There is, however, a reason why it doesn’t rank even higher.

In modern collections, the game has been re-released as a compilation of remastered cutscenes, without the original gameplay… a choice that allows you to revisit the story but inevitably sacrifices a significant part of the experience.

And that’s a real shame, because I’d love to be able to relive it with a properly crafted remake.

A project that restores dignity to the original gameplay, modernizing it without losing what made this adventure so special back in the days of the Nintendo DS.

Given the series’ recent history, it might be risky to get our hopes up too high, but dreaming costs nothing.

2. Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

While 358/2 Days won me over primarily because of its story, Birth by Sleep is the installment that manages to combine an extraordinary narrative with a truly interesting gameplay structure.

The game was originally released on the PSP and, inevitably, comes with some technical and structural limitations. Progression can feel cumbersome, some activities become repetitive, and the need to tackle three separate campaigns can slow down the pace.

But the underlying concept is simply brilliant.

Three protagonists, three distinct paths, three perspectives on events that ultimately intertwine into a story much larger than it initially appears.

Terra, Ventus, and Aqua aren’t just three characters to switch between: each brings their own motivations, abilities, vulnerabilities, and a fundamental role in shaping the story.

What I appreciate most is how the three campaigns manage to share certain elements while maintaining distinct identities.

You visit familiar worlds, encounter well-known characters, and face situations that take on different meanings depending on the protagonist you choose.

It’s a structure that, despite some repetition, manages to make the overall experience richer.

Birth by Sleep vastly expands the Kingdom Hearts universe, introducing characters and concepts that are essential to understanding subsequent events. It’s one of those chapters that, once completed, makes you look back at the entire saga with fresh eyes.

But if I had to choose one element that left a particularly lasting impression on me, I have no doubt: Aqua.

Her journey, her personality, and the role she plays in the story make her one of the most important and well-developed characters in the series. And the trio she forms with Terra and Ventus conveys emotions I’ll never forget.

Here, too, of course, there were plenty of manly tears.

Birth by Sleep is a pivotal chapter, combining an original structure with a story that leaves a lasting impression. It’s not perfect, but for me, it represents one of the high points of Kingdom Hearts.

1. Kingdom Hearts II

I didn't even have to think about it for a second.

Kingdom Hearts II is my favorite installment in the series, and it's unlikely that any future installment will ever knock it off that spot.

It's the game that, in my opinion, strikes the best balance among all the elements that make Kingdom Hearts so special: gameplay, combat, characters, storytelling, and emotion.

Let’s start with the combat system… the fusions, the abilities, the possibilities offered by Sora, and the overall fluidity of the battles all contribute to creating an experience that manages to be spectacular without sacrificing depth. It’s gameplay that rewards a deep understanding of the mechanics and, especially in the most challenging encounters, demonstrates just how much work went into its design.

The boss fights are among the best in the entire series, and some battles have left a lasting impression on me like few other gaming moments.

But reducing Kingdom Hearts II to just its combat would be a mistake.

The true masterpiece lies in how it manages to bring together everything that was told in the previous installments and transform it into a cohesive adventure, rich with memorable moments and capable of giving its characters tremendous depth.

It’s a game that manages to blend the lightheartedness of the Disney worlds with a story that, when it decides to strike, does so without any mercy.

And this brings us back to why I love this saga so much: its characters and the emotions they convey.

Kingdom Hearts II contains some of the most powerful narrative moments in the entire series. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I have absolutely no intention of spoiling anything for those who haven’t played it yet, but anyone familiar with the story knows exactly what I’m talking about.

It’s one of those games that doesn’t just tell you a story: it makes you grow attached to the characters, draws you into sharing their moments of joy and suffering, and, when the time is right, manages to break your heart.

I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much over a video game.

And perhaps that’s precisely why, even today, I consider it the best.

Kingdom Hearts II succeeds as a sequel that builds on what came before, vastly expands the narrative universe, and sets the stage for what’s to come. Despite the years that have passed, it remains a benchmark for the way it combines an extraordinary combat system with a story that leaves a lasting impression.

It’s an insane game—in the best possible sense of the word—and I have no trouble understanding why it’s the most beloved game in the entire series worldwide.

For me, it’s nothing less than Kingdom Hearts at its absolute best.

Conclusions

This is my Top 5 list of the best Kingdom Hearts games—a personal ranking that’s inevitably influenced by my memories, emotions, and the connection I’ve built with this series over the years.

I’m well aware that some people might disagree with certain rankings. Some would place the first game higher, others would defend Kingdom Hearts III, and still others would choose different entries like Dream Drop Distance or Chain of Memories.

And that’s precisely the beauty of such a rich series: every player can find their own favorite installment—the one that, for whatever reason, managed to resonate with them more than the others.

Kingdom Hearts is a series that has entertained me, moved me, and made me grow attached to characters I still hold dear today. It’s one of the reasons I love video games so much, and every time I come back to talk about it, it reminds me why this passion continues to stay with me.

The release of the collection on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 is therefore the perfect opportunity to return to Sora’s world, rediscover his adventures, and—perhaps—share this experience with those who’ve never had the chance to experience it.

Because, beyond rankings and scores, Kingdom Hearts is much more than just a video game series: for me, it’s an important part of my history as a gamer.