WithKingdom Hearts 4likely still a few years out, Square Enix has a lot of time to prepare fans for the next chapter in Sora’s saga. The series has been great about giving players access to all the games necessary to catch up on the full story through compilations likeKingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIXandKingdom Hearts All-in-One Package, but the original version ofKingdom Hearts: Chain of Memoriesfor Game Boy Advance is a lot more difficult to access. Now that GBA games are available via Nintendo Switch Online, Square Enix has the perfect opportunity to bring this classic version to a modern platform ahead ofKingdom Hearts 4.
Although theKingdom Heartscompilations are a convenient way to experience the series, they omit or alter some of the original experiences for the sake of streamlining content. Games likeKingdom Hearts 358/2 DaysandKingdom Hearts Re:Codedare only included as cinematics within the compilation, giving players access to their stories but depriving them of the original gameplay experience.Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories,the PS2 remake of the original game, is included as well. While it’s superior to the Game Boy Advance version in some ways, it lacks some of the charm only the GBA version can deliver.
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Reliving the Original Chain of Memories on Nintendo Switch Online Would Be Perfect Before Kingdom Hearts 4
The original version ofKingdom Hearts: Chain of Memoriesreleased for Game Boy Advance in 2004 as a continuation of the firstKingdom Heartsprior toKingdom Hearts 2.As a GBA title, the game featured a pixel art style and card-based battle mechanics as opposed to the 3D action-RPG style of its predecessor. Battles were still fought in real time and featured many of the same physical, magic, and summon attacks fromKingdom Hearts, only reconfigured for a handheld console.
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memoriesreleased in 2008 for the PS2, remaking theGame Boy Advancetitle utilizing the full capabilities of a home console, including voice acting and a remastered soundtrack. The core card-based gameplay remained, but was intermixed with the 3D action of the originalKingdom Heartsto create a whole new experience. While this may seem like the definitive version, the original GBA release still stands as a classic title worth revisiting.
There has never been a better time to rerelease the original version now that Game Boy Advance games are included in the Nintendo Switch Online library via the Expansion Pack subscription tier. Square Enix could use this opportunity to generate some hype forKingdom Hearts 4by getting the series back in the conversation with a release ofKingdom Hearts: Chain of Memorieson Switch. After the disappointing cloud versions ofKingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece, Square Enix could also use this as a gesture of good will for Switch owners.
While the timeline forKingdom Hearts 4’s releaseis still up in the air, there are plenty of potential opportunities for fans of the series to get their fill ofKingdom Heartscontent. It’s possible the series could see new spin-off entries in the time before the next mainline release, but reaching back into the series' library could be just as exciting for fans. As the Switch is sure to get a steady stream of Game Boy Advance games in the future,Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memorieswould be a worthwhile addition to its catalog.
Kingdom Hearts 4is in development by Square Enix.
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