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When Kingdom Hearts 3 is released, I'd like to play through all Kingdom Hearts games in order. Let's say that by all I refer to the main games + the 'Chain of Memories'-tier games. (I believe there are some smaller tie-ins, but I can do without those.)

Which consoles and discs (cartridges?) will I need? For the purpose of this question, assume that I currently don't have any consoles, and that I'd like to buy as few as possible, taking into account 'Mix' releases, remakes and backwards-compatibility of consoles.

Frank
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mhelvens
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  • Are remakes also acceptable? – Nolonar Aug 26 '16 at 12:44
  • Yep, definitely. – mhelvens Aug 26 '16 at 12:45
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    PS3 and PS4. Unless by play, you mean you have to play all of them; the remixes don't have Re:Coded, or 358/2 days, just their cutscenes. – Frank Aug 26 '16 at 12:46
  • @Frank: I'm not sure. I don't know Re:Coded or 358/2 days. When I say 'Chain of Memories'-tier games I'm probably being pretty vague. I was just under the impression that there are a few that serve as 'narrative bridges' between the main games, so I chose those to draw my arbitrary line. What I'm after is the full Kingdom Hearts experience, whatever that means. I'd be happy to get your recommendation. – mhelvens Aug 26 '16 at 12:58
  • That's pretty darn subjective. What the full experience means differs from person to person. If you want the whole story, that'll give it to you. If you absolutely must play every game (and 358/2 Days is pretty darn good), then it won't. – Frank Aug 26 '16 at 13:00
  • @Frank: Yeah, I know it's subjective. If you could post an answer that includes both scenarios (i.e., with and without those two games), that would be great. – mhelvens Aug 26 '16 at 13:03
  • Related, but not quite a duplicate? – Niro Aug 26 '16 at 15:42

2 Answers2

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The I.5, II.5, and II.8 collections cover most of your bases, so that should save you some money. I.5 and II.5 are available on PS3 and include the following full games:

I.5:

  • Kingdom Hearts 1 Final Mix
  • Kingdom Hearts: RE: Chain of Memories

II.5:

  • Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix
  • Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Final Mix

The II.8 collection will include only one remaster, and two new titles, so this is a must for completion purposes. This will be a PS4 exclusive title.

II.8:

  • Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance Remastered
  • Kingdom Hearts X: Back Cover
  • Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth By Sleep - A Fragmentary Passage

Games that are not included in these collections are as follows:

Nintendo DS:

  • Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days
  • Kingdom Hearts: RE:Coded

Note: By purchasing the collections, you are saving yourself from buying a Nintendo 3DS if you don't already have one.

As you probably know, Kingdom Hearts III will be on Xbox One and PS4.

To play all of the games with minimal consoles, you would need a PS3, PS4, and Nintendo DS.

Vemonus
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At this specific point in time, you'll need two systems:

  1. PS3
  2. 3DS

The games are pretty straightforward as well:

  1. Kingdom Hearts 1.5 ReMix
  2. Kingdom Hearts 2.5 ReMix
  3. Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance

This will give you the whole story as we currently know it. Come December, though, this list changes slightly. Swap the 3DS for a PS4, because that's when Kingdom Hearts 2.8 ReMix comes out. You also swap Dream Drop Distance for the 2.8 ReMix. Additionally, 2.8 supposed to have some extra content you can't find anywhere else, so that would be providing the most lore throughout. Kingdom Hearts 3 is supposed to come out some time next year (although I kinda doubt it), and that's going to be for PS4 only, I believe. So getting 2.8 makes sense for preparation for KH3.

If you absolutely, positively must play every single game (since the ReMix versions turn a couple of them into just story cutscenes), the list changes a bit.

Systems:

  1. PS3
  2. DS
  3. 3DS

Games:

  1. Kingdom Hearts 1.5 ReMix
  2. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (DS)
  3. Kingdom Hearts 2.5 ReMix
  4. Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded (DS)
  5. Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance

That will allow you to play all the games, with the additional caveat above about 2.8 replacing Dream Drop Distance in December.

Frank
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  • Sorry to necropost but the 3DS can play DS games. So one doesn't need a DS if getting a 3DS in the second list. – Vality Sep 11 '17 at 16:51