Kingdom Hearts Review – Nintendo Switch (Cloud Version)

Does the Keyblade still work?

Kingdom Hearts is an action RPG released back in 2002, long before we ever knew what “the cloud” was.

I first played Kingdom Hearts sometime in 2005 and I was instantly drawn in due to the strong Disney presence and Final Fantasy combo – I knew I had to try it out. I’ve been a huge Kingdom Hearts fan ever since and I’ve played almost all of the Kingdom Hearts games.

I still have my original PS2 copy of Kingdom Hearts along with the more recent Final Remix version for PS4, but when Nintendo announced the Integrum Masterpiece bundle on the Nintendo Switch I knew I had to try it, though I was sceptical.

Game Information
Release Date: February 10th, 2022
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Availability: Nintendo eShop, PSN, Microsoft Store, Steam

Being that this version of Kingdom Hearts and the rest of the Integrum Masterpiece bundle exist only in the cloud for Nintendo Switch, and I wasn’t sure if I would like it. I’d also read so many mixed opinions online. Still, I decided I would check it out and see for myself.

I played Kingdom Hearts on the new Nintendo Switch OLED and I played it exclusively in portable mode to get the true portable experience that seemed like a dream back in 2002. I didn’t use the ethernet cable, instead, I relied solely on my WiFi connection. I also didn’t play on launch, so by the time I took the plunge, there was already a new patch out to help with the day-one server issues.

The big question is how does it play using the cloud and a wireless connection? I clocked in 15 hours for my playthrough and I didn’t run into a single crash, and there was never a time that I couldn’t connect to the servers. I mostly played in the same room as my router, but I also tried other rooms in my house and it seemed just fine. I didn’t test the game running outside of my house or over any public WiFi networks, though.

I had a few instances where the game would drop frames due to a WiFi connection dip, and there were a couple of occasions where I got a message says “Due to poor connection, switching to low-performance mode.” Even then, the game returned back to its best self quite quickly.

Perhaps the biggest issue I had was kind of my own doing. If you are idle for long enough, the cloud connection will sever without the opportunity to save the game. If this happens, you lose your progress and revert back to your last save.

So, how does Kingdom Hearts hold up 20 years later, and running on technology that didn’t exist at the time of its original release? I would say the game holds up well with its unique charm and storytelling, along with the action gameplay that we’ve grown to adore. You’re rewarded for taking the time to explore, and there’s a fair challenge with the Hercules tournament cups, as well as the option of high-difficulty boss fights.

The original Kingdom Hearts still feels like the most challenging of the three main series games, especially with the optional bosses and the game’s encouragement to grind the levels for the final story boss.

However, the story also feels like it’s the easiest to keep up with and understand, while still retaining a sense of mystery and hooking you in until the conclusion.

A couple of things do stand out as not having stood the test of time so well. The graphics and the platforming don’t hold a torch to what we’re used to here in 2022. So if you’re a franchise newcomer, don’t be totally put off by the first game’s appearance and occasionally annoying controls, especially with the platforming segments – just know that it does get better and more responsive as the series moves on, but I’d still recommend this as the entry point to any new player wanting to catch up on the series.

Review Disclaimer: This review was carried out using a copy of the game bought at the expense of the reviewer. For more information, please read our Review Policy.

Primary version tested: Nintendo Switch