Highlights

• Kingdom Hearts 4 may introduce older Disney properties like The Emperor's New Groove.
• The Peru-inspired landscape and Incan aesthetic of The Emperor's New Groove would make for a visually enticing and exciting Kingdom Hearts 4 level.
• Square Enix should consider incorporating less popular Disney IP into Kingdom Hearts 4 to add diversity and enhance the overall gaming experience.

With Kingdom Hearts 4 on the horizon, fans of Square Enix's famous crossover series have been rampantly speculating about what the fourth mainline entry will bring to the table. While there's been plenty of discussion about the potential of Marvel and Star Wars showing up in the next Kingdom Hearts, there are other, older Disney properties that have never gotten a chance to appear in the franchise, and that are arguably more deserving of an appearance.

Kingdom Hearts 3 reincorporates some of the series' most important locations, like Twilight Town and Radiant Garden, while also revisiting staple Disney worlds like Olympus and 100 Acre Wood. At the same time, the game confirmed long-held rumors by folding in some of the properties that Disney had acquired in the wake of Kingdom Hearts 2, as levels based on Pixar films like Monster's Inc. and Toy Story were worked in. Even so, the gaming franchise still has a few glaring gaps when it comes to crossover content—gaps that could be filled by Kingdom Hearts 4.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Should Finally Add an Emperor's New Groove World

Often considered one of Disney's most underrated 90s films, The Emperor's New Groove is perfectly suited for the Kingdom Hearts treatment. Despite its cult status, The Emperor's New Groove has never managed to squeeze into a Kingdom Hearts title, which feels like a missed opportunity. It may not be quite as popular as something like The Lion King, but it has just as much potential for affecting storytelling and unique gameplay. Kingdom Hearts 4 feels like the perfect time to bring it into the fold.

New Groove was a box office disappointment for Disney, but its influence has grown in the modern age thanks to countless viral memes and internet culture as a whole.

The Emperor's New Groove and Kingdom Hearts Are a Match Made In Heaven

Not every Kingdom Hearts Disney world is a winner, but there's good reason to believe that The Emperor's New Groove would be one. Kuzco and Pacha's cross-country journey is full of the excitement, danger, and comedy that one would expect from the best Kingdom Hearts levels.

The Peru-inspired landscape and Incan aesthetic would make for a visually enticing and unique level to explore, and it's easy to imagine how the Heartless could factor into the story. Maybe Yzma has somehow come under the influence of the Heartless, who use her many mysterious, metamorphosing potions to take on new and bizarre forms.

The Peru-inspired landscape and Incan aesthetic would make for a visually enticing and unique level to explore!

The narrative of the original film would be fairly easy for Kingdom Hearts 4 to adapt as well. Sora and friends could team up with Kuzco and Pacha, escorting them on their mission to return Kuzco to his original form, partaking in both the thrills and charming humor that the original film has become so highly regarded for. Assuming Kingdom Hearts 4 repeats the tradition of revisiting worlds during different eras, the game could even give a glimpse into what Kuzco's empire looks like after his journey of self-discovery, serving as a nice bit of fan service.

It's no great surprise that people want Star Wars and Marvel in Kingdom Hearts 4, which is fair; they are two of the best-selling media franchises of all time, after all. But hopefully, Square Enix will be open to embracing some of the less ubiquitous Disney properties, adapting IP based on which has the most potential within the Kingdom Hearts framework, rather than just sticking to the most popular ones.