
Dream Drop Distance was released for the 3DS in 2012. That wouldn't have been enough for a PS4 remaster priced $60 of course (it's not as pricey now don't worry), so Square Enix also decided to include a cinematic remaster called Back Cover, which summarizes the events of the mobile game Kingdom Hearts X in under an hour. In addition, the KH3 development team also decided to chop off what was going to be the prologue of their game, Aqua's time in the realm of darkness, and have it be essentially its own glorified demo titled A Fragmentary Passage. And a good demo it is.
All the games are now in one place:Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5 and Kingdom Hearts 2.8 for the PS4.
This is it... this is the entire series and everything you need.
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But even then, there tend to be lingering questions:
"Where do I start? What order should I play them in? Which games are important, and which ones can I skip?"
I have given you almost all these answers, but these most recent entries tend to be the most confusing because people... don't really know what they are? For example: does that mobile game matter? Is Dream Drop Distance fun?... Yes. And so I am here to help.
So, shall we finish?
Trailers for 1.5 + 2.5 and 2.8:
My Take: – Don't spoil things for yourself. – Play all five full games.(If you don't like the combat in Chain of Memories, you still need to know the story, and I have provided recap videos). – Watch the two cinematic remasters (Days and Back Cover– I have provided recap videos for these also... you can 100% skip Coded). – Always do Proud mode difficulty.By doing so, you will get access to the secret endings in each game (If you're not up for that though, the secret endings are listed below). – Collect and read the Reports of each game. The first game makes it easier, but whenever you can. – Check out the recaps, secret scenes and endings I've provided below. – Never trust series creator Tetsuya Nomura. He is a lying liar. – Have fun! |
If you'd like a recap of the entire series, this is the best one:

![]() 7. Dream Drop Distance Original Release: 2012, 3DS – Full Game / Cinematic Remaster Collection:2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Do you need to know the story? YesShould you play it? Yes | |
The Game: ![]() Darkness becomes light, light falls to darkness. Set after the events of Kingdom Hearts II, Master Yensid decides to put Sora and Riku through the Mark of Mastery Exam to see if they're ready to be full fledged Keyblade Masters for the oncoming war. The two set out to awaken the sleeping worlds from their slumber, but a more sinister plan is waiting to lull them into their clutches.
Worlds: Videos: Promotional trailer: Opening: Appearances from Roxas, Xion, and Namine: Recap: Ending: Secret Ending: |
![]() 8. Unchained / Back Cover Original Release: 2013 (Online Browser) – Collection: 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Do you need to know the story? Yes Should you watch it? YesDo you have to play the game? No | |
The Game/Cinematic Remaster: ![]() To discover the end, a journey must start at the beginning. Retelling the events that led to the fabled Keyblde War far before the series begins, Unchained (or Union Cross) revolves around you the player becoming a Keyblade Wielder, joining one of the Unions led by five Keyblade Masters called the Foretellers. Back Cover tells the story leading up to the Keyblade War from the Forteller's perspective, along with their own teacher the Master of Masters, and his secret sixth apprentice.
Worlds: Videos: Full scenes: "The Box" cutscene: Ventus and Marluxia exist in this: |
![]() 9. A Fragmentary Passage Original Release: 2017 (PS4) – Collection: 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (PS4) Do you need to know the story? YesShould you play it? Yes | |
The Game: ![]() The battle for the realm of light...is not won. Trapped in the Realm of Darkness with no way out, Keyblade Master Aqua struggles with her grief over being separated from her friends and the world outside.
Worlds: Videos: Gameplay clip: Opening: Ending: Second Ending (leading into KH3): |
