Kingdom Hearts Games Ranked From Worst to Best

What Is the Kingdom Hearts Series?

The Kingdom Hearts series is a crossover action role-playing game franchise developed and published by Square Enix. It combines characters and worlds from Disney with original characters and elements from the Final Fantasy series. The series addresses the problem of navigating a complex, multi-game narrative spanning multiple consoles and handheld devices, often requiring players to understand a convoluted timeline.

Key Facts

How Are the Kingdom Hearts Games Ranked From Worst to Best?

According to Kotaku's 2024 ranking, the Kingdom Hearts games are ordered from worst to best as follows: Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts III, and Kingdom Hearts II. The ranking evaluates combat, story coherence, and overall enjoyment.

Kotaku's ranking places Kingdom Hearts II at the top and Chain of Memories at the bottom, based on gameplay mechanics and narrative clarity.

Which Kingdom Hearts Game Is Considered the Worst?

Kotaku identifies Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories as the worst game in the series. Released in 2004 for Game Boy Advance, it introduced a card-based combat system that many players found tedious and confusing. The story bridges the first and second games but is often criticized for its repetitive gameplay and lack of engaging exploration.

"Chain of Memories is a slog to get through, with its card-based battles that feel more like a chore than a fun action RPG."

— Kotaku, "Kingdom Hearts Games Ranked From Worst to Best"

Chain of Memories is widely regarded as the weakest entry due to its divisive card combat and repetitive dungeon design.

Which Kingdom Hearts Game Is Considered the Best?

Kotaku ranks Kingdom Hearts II as the best game in the series. Released in 2005 for PlayStation 2, it refined the action combat with fluid movement, reaction commands, and a compelling story that ties together the series' themes. The game also features extensive Disney world integration and memorable boss fights.

Kingdom Hearts II is praised for its polished combat, emotional narrative, and satisfying conclusion to the first major story arc.

What Are the Major Differences Between Kingdom Hearts Games?

The series spans multiple gameplay styles: numbered entries (I, II, III) use real-time action combat with a command menu, while handheld titles like Birth by Sleep introduce deck-based command systems. Chain of Memories uses card-based mechanics, and Dream Drop Distance adds flowmotion parkour. Story importance also varies; some games are essential to the main plot, while others are considered filler.

Gameplay diversity across the series ranges from traditional action RPGs to experimental card and deck systems, affecting player accessibility and enjoyment.

Who Is This Ranking For?

This ranking is intended for players new to the Kingdom Hearts series who want to know which games to prioritize or skip. It also serves longtime fans curious about critical consensus. The ranking emphasizes gameplay quality and story coherence over completionist content. Players seeking a streamlined experience should focus on Kingdom Hearts II and Birth by Sleep, while those wanting the full narrative may need to tolerate weaker entries.

Common Questions

Should I play Kingdom Hearts in release order?

Yes, release order is recommended to follow the intended narrative progression. Playing in chronological order can spoil plot twists and confuse newcomers due to the series' non-linear timeline.

Is Kingdom Hearts III worth playing?

Kingdom Hearts III is worth playing for its polished combat and Disney world integration, but its story is considered weaker than earlier entries. Kotaku ranks it third from the top, noting it lacks the emotional impact of Kingdom Hearts II.

Which Kingdom Hearts game has the best combat?

Kingdom Hearts II is widely regarded as having the best combat in the series, with fluid movement, reaction commands, and a deep combo system. Birth by Sleep's deck-based combat is also highly praised for its strategic depth.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Kotaku article "Kingdom Hearts Games Ranked From Worst to Best" published at https://kotaku.com/kingdom-hearts-best-games-ranked-2-3-birth-by-sleep-1851494518. The ranking and quotes are derived from that source. No additional sources were synthesized. This article was last updated on October 26, 2024.