Could Kingdom Hearts 1 HD, Kingdom Hearts 2 HD or a Kingdom Hearts Xbox 360, PS3 Collection (Wii, 3DS too?) conceivably be released in the near future?
It stands to reason that Square Enix would want to re-release one of their biggest franchises of all time for a new generation, as the original Kingdom Hearts is the 9th best-selling PS2 game of all time.
The idea of an high-definition set or re-release of the first two games (ideally as downloadable titles or together as a collection at retail) was given some more ammunition when you consider two recent facts.
1. In an interview translated by Andriasang, Square Enix and series producer Tetsuya Nomura spoke of how difficult it is to attract new players to the Kingdom Hearts series. That is because the series was birthed on last-generation consoles, and is no longer a current-generation series per se. He then mentions how they are considering an “HD technical test” of some sort for the series, and that this is part of a plan to return viability to the franchise for new gamers or new people who’ve never played a Kingdom Hearts game before.
2. The year 2012 marks the Kingdom Hearts series 10-Year Anniversary! As you would expect, an anniversary is the perfect occasion to re-introduce new players to the franchise and satisfy those fans who want to see an HD remake. Releasing Kingdom Hearts 1 HD or Kingdom Hearts 2 HD for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and other downloadable platforms would be a great way to celebrate the anniversary and draw in new players.
While this is entirely speculation on my part, HD Remakes, particularly on the PlayStation 3 (where Sony has made it into a line of products), are all the rage in this day and age, and it only makes sense that Square Enix should capitalize on this by re-releasing the beloved titles. Especially given how other companies have had major success with re-releases, and the Kingdom Hearts series is one of the most requested.
Update May 2012: An interview with Kingdom Hearts series creator Tetsuya Nomura in the gaming magazine Game Informer’s June issue reveals more about a possible Kingdom Hearts HD Collection. When asked if he wants “high-definition collections of Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II similar to the upcoming Final Fantasy X HD remaster”, he replied: “I do have an interest in HD versions, and I’m currently researching them. If it is possible, I would like to do something about the series being spread over so many different consoles, too. I am thinking a lot about the future.”
What are your thoughts? If they do release a Kingdom Hearts Collection or digital HD remasterings, would you want them to remain on the PlayStation 3? Or be released on other consoles like the Xbox 360, Wii or 3DS?
Here is a funny video review of the Kingdom Hearts 1.
Via Andriasang