The Kingdom Hearts series is so massive in scope that it can be difficult to keep track of, consisting of tie-in titles released between numbered installments and on various platforms. Unfortunately, not every game holds up to the same level of quality, with entries varying wildly over the years.
By averaging the scores from Metacritic and the Internet Games Database, you can get an idea as to which games are the best of the best. Not every game has a proper score, though, so we've excluded titles like Kingdom Hearts Dark Road, Kingdom Hearts Union χ, Kingdom Hearts Coded, the Japan-only Final Mix versions of titles and the various HD collections, focusing on the main series releases.
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded 67.5/100
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded has the dubious honor of being the lowest-ranked Kingdom Hearts game. Released for Nintendo DS, it was a remake of an episodic Japan-only mobile game. After completing his adventures in Kingdom Hearts II, Jiminy alerts Sora to an inconsistency he's found in the Journal. After digitizing the Journal, a digital Sora sets out to uncover what's really going on. The title received mixed reviews, with some stating it was the best Kingdom Hearts experience the Nintendo DS could deliver, while others felt the game didn't live up to the series' standards. Detractors likely felt the title's controls and reuse of the first game's locales and characters held Re:coded back.
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories 69/100
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories is a 3D remake of Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories with voice-acting, an improved soundtrack, new cutscenes and additional content. The game was originally a second disc included in the Japan-only PlayStation 2 release of Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ but was later released as a stand-alone title in the US. While the title offers some aesthetically pleasing changes to the overall delivery, Re:Chain of Memories doesn't add or change enough to justify players buying another copy of a game they've already played. That said, for those that never played Chain of Memories, it serves as the definitive way to experience the game.
Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance 74.5/100
The Nintendo 3DS' Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance is a unique title among its peers. As the first title set to move the franchise's story ahead since Kingdom Hearts II, it was in a position to build interest toward Kingdom Hearts III. Instead, the game leaned heavily into the handheld's 3D effects, centering certain gameplay elements around the 3DS. This, combined with replacing party members with summonable creatures, diverted from what could have otherwise been a stellar entry in the series. The game still offers essential narrative details, but the gameplay is far from the franchise's best.
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days 76/100
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days was the first to offer a closer look at the mysterious Organization XIII. Other titles had hinted at these antagonists' deeper, layered personalities (or lack thereof), but players were only given bits and pieces. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days allows players to play as the Organization members and live out the frame of time Roxas was among their ranks. The Nintendo DS title appeases those more curious about the enigmatic Organization XIII but may annoy those looking for a more traditional Kingdom Hearts experience or one featuring more Disney.
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory 76.5/100
Melody of Memory is the most recently released Kingdom Hearts title. It serves as a break away from long-standing franchise norms, both with its gameplay and its simultaneous release on multiple platforms. Throwing away the standard action RPG gameplay, Melody of Memory is a Rhythm game that focuses on the beloved music from the franchise. Some Disney adaptations are featured, but the focus is on the original music from the games. The title offers a new refreshing take on the Kingdom Hearts series and gives fans of the music a dream game but may stray a little too far from the fan-favorite formula to make every player happy.
Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage 77/100
Before Kingdom Hearts III was released, there were a few story threads that needed explaining. Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage stands as the final lead-up to the conclusion of the Xehanort saga Kingdom Hearts III heralded. The title itself is part of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, a package containing an HD version of Dream Drop Distance and a cinematic film detailing the events of Kingdom Hearts χ. The title offered stunning visuals and a taste of what next-gen Kingdom Hearts would look like but was all too short for those uninterested in the package's other offerings.
Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories 78/100
Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories is a Game Boy Advance tie-in title to the first Kingdom Hearts. Set after the events of the game, Sora, Donald and Goofy stumble upon Castle Oblivion. They soon learn the deeper they delve into the castle to uncover Organization XIII's intent, the more at risk they are for losing their memories. The game featured a different form of gameplay than its predecessor, focusing on card-based combat in real-time. Players built a deck of possible actions and could select a card to use from an available hand while controlling Sora. Many found the pocket-sized adventure a worthy sidekick to the main entry and decided it offered significant story development. That said, the switch to card-based combat turned some players off.
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep 82.5/100
Surprisingly, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep was the only Kingdom Hearts game to ever release on Sony's PSP. The game was a prequel, set long before the events of the original Kingdom Hearts. The title introduces players to three Keyblade wielders, Aqua, Ventus and Terra, attempting to become Keyblade Masters. They're called to action when the Unversed appears as a threat to the various worlds. Players can go through a campaign for each character, uncovering the whole story only after partaking in all three. Birth by Sleep is the highest-rated spin-off title, carried by delivering a fantastic Kingdom Hearts experience on a mobile platform. The game introduced a primary series antagonist, took players to new worlds, evolved the series combat significantly, and dialed up Kingdom Hearts' narrative scale.
Kingdom Hearts 82.5/100
The first game in the series, Kingdom Hearts, found unexpected success with its combination of JRPG elements and iconic Disney characters. It was sleek and effortlessly cool, something that Square Enix was well known for at the time, alongside the lovable nostalgia Disney characters summoned when appearing on-screen. On top of its immediate charm, Kingdom Hearts played remarkably well. Giving up the turn-based combat they'd be known for, Square Enix poised Kingdom Hearts to be frantic, button-mashing mayhem. It was an immediate hit, selling scores of PlayStation 2s and spawning a loyal fanbase. This game introduces players to Sora on Destiny Islands before Darkness rips him from his home.
Kingdom Hearts III 85.75/100
Kingdom Hearts III was the long-awaited finale to the Xehanort saga that began with the original Kingdom Hearts. After 13 years since Kingdom Hearts II, fans were eager to lay their hands on the next installment of Sora's journey and they weren't disappointed. Kingdom Hearts III is an amalgamation of its predecessors. Great features from previous Kingdom Hearts titles are transplanted in the game, leading to a massive assortment of abilities, skills, traversal options and even new features that evolved from other gameplay elements that didn't quite work before. Graphically, the game is also stunning, offering some of the best visuals of its time and certainly offering the best-looking Kingdom Hearts game to date.
Kingdom Hearts II 88.5/100
Kingdom Hearts II was the perfect sequel to Kingdom Hearts. The game expanded on everything that it needed to while leaving alone the things that were already perfect. Many players still regard Kingdom Hearts II as having the best combat in the series. It evolved gameplay from the simplistic nature of Kingdom Hearts without overloading combat with as many prompts and commands as Kingdom Hearts III features. It also marks where the series narrative started to get room to breathe, replacing Disney villains with original, interesting antagonists. The title also started exploring new systems and gameplay features like Drive Forms. As a smashing follow-up to the original, it's no wonder why Kingdom Hearts II is the highest-rated title in the series.