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Kingdom Hearts GBA Bound

by Steven Rodriguez - September 25, 2003, 10:36 am EDT
Total comments: 8 Source: Quiter Game News

Straight out of TGS, an unexpected announcement from Square-Enix.

Going into the Toyko Game Show, most people were expecting two big pieces of info out of Square-Enix: Kingdom Hearts 2 and Final Fantasy VII-2. Well, both were shown (FF7-2 is actually a DVD movie, not a game), with the addition of another surprise.

Kingdom Hearts, the Disney-Square collaboration, will be making an appearance on the GBA in the form of a new game, titled Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. From the few details we've found, the game will apparently be in isometric 3D, may feature some sort of card-based gameplay, and will feature movie scenes like its big PS2 brother.

The game is set for a Japanese release sometime in 2004. We'll bring more Chain of Memories details as soon as we get them. Stay tuned!

Chain of Memories Official

Here's the official word from Square Enix about the new Kingdom Hearts GBA game.

BUENA VISTA GAMES AND SQUARE ENIX TO CONTINUE THE SUCCESSFUL KINGDOM HEARTS SAGA WITH TWO SEQUELS

"KINGDOM HEARTS - CHAIN OF MEMORIES -" and "KINGDOM HEARTS II" Currently In Development

London, September 26, 2003 - Buena Vista Games and Square Enix Co., Ltd. announced today that they are to join forces again to develop two sequel titles to KINGDOM HEARTS, which was released worldwide in 2002 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The sequels include KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- for Game Boy®Advance and KINGDOM HEARTS II for the PlayStation 2.

KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- is to be developed for the Game Boy Advance, making it the first KINGDOM HEARTS title to appear on a handheld console. It will feature Sora, Donald, Goofy as well as other Disney characters and worlds. KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- is set to bring a whole new gaming experience by implementing elements never seen before on the Game Boy Advance. The title is scheduled for release in Japan in 2004, followed by North America and Europe.

KINGDOM HEARTS II will be developed for the PlayStation 2 and the story will pick up where it ended in the original KINGDOM HEARTS. Fans will see the return of Sora, Kairi and Riku along with many Disney characters and worlds. Release details are yet to be announced for Japan, North America and Europe.

"We are extremely proud of the success of KINGDOM HEARTS and could not wait for this day to announce the two new titles," said Tetsuya Nomura, director and main character designer, KINGDOM HEARTS series. "Our development team is very enthusiastic about creating a new chapter in KINGDOM HEARTS history and determined to deliver an even more unique and exciting gaming experience that will appeal to the global marketplace."

"Buena Vista Games is thrilled to be collaborating with Square Enix once again and continue the KINGDOM HEARTS journey," said Graham Hopper, senior vice president, Buena Vista Games. "Like KINGDOM HEARTS, the sequels will breathe new life into Disney's most beloved properties and give fans the chance to experience them in new ways."

KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- for Game Boy Advance and KINGDOM HEARTS II for the PlayStation 2 will be developed under the direction of director and main character designer Tetsuya Nomura, and produced by Shinji Hashimoto and co-producer Yoshinori Kitase.

First launched in Japan in March 2002, KINGDOM HEARTS has now sold 3.3 million units worldwide, with over 1.3 million units sold in Japan and 2 million units in North America and Europe combined. KINGDOM HEARTS has now joined Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Platinum range.

A truly groundbreaking action role-playing game, KINGDOM HEARTS was the first joint project between Square Enix and Buena Vista Games. Featuring more than 100 Disney characters, it also introduced new Disney characters - Sora, Riku, Kairi and the Heartless - designed by Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura, director and character designer of KINGDOM HEARTS. A hit title in Europe, KINGDOM HEARTS was extremely well received by hardcore and mainstream gamers, as well as media critics. It garnered much praise and won several Editors' awards within the gaming community. Featuring an all-star voice cast, added features to the PAL version such as additional bosses, KINGDOM HEARTS delivered a very fresh and unique gaming experience. KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- and KINGDOM HEARTS II are set to bring another perfect blend of animation, design and story-telling to both Disney and Square Enix fans alike.

Talkback

GupSeptember 25, 2003

It's good to see Square ain't just using GBA for ports, but on to bigger news, FFVII GETS A DVD MOVIE SEQUEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grey NinjaSeptember 25, 2003

Personally, I almost cried when I saw the words FFVII-2 on the magic box this morning. FF7 was the last Final Fantasy game I had any respect for, and by making a sequel, I knew that they would destroy some of my good memory of the game, and would force me to listen to all the fanboys cheering about how much the game would rock.

I was incredibly RELIEVED when I saw it was a movie. It goes without saying that it's going to suck just as much as a game would, but I am quite happy with it because I am sure that most of the Square fanboys will agree with me that it's going to suck, and I don't have to hear about how it's going to be the biggest game since Pong.

It still doesn't solve the problem that they are defacing a perfectly good game with a sequel that's going to suck, but hey, it's not a masterpiece like FF6.

mouse_clickerSeptember 25, 2003

Eh, all we've seen from the FFVII-2 movie is some screenshots- I think it's entirely too early to be making any sort of judgement over how good it's going to be.

Bill AurionSeptember 25, 2003

Yes we can...FFVII had a perfect ending, and Square is messing with it. Messing with the ending of FFVII = death...

Game looks great...Can't wait face-icon-small-smile.gif

mouse_clickerSeptember 25, 2003

A New Hope had a pretty perfect ending, yet nobody claims Lucas "messed" with it. I just don't see how you can already determine whether the movie's going to be good or not based off of the simple fact that it exists. And by the time you do see it, of course you're not going to like it, because you've already conditioned yourself to respond as such, based on expectations that were completely unfounded to begin with. I think you'll find that if you keep an open mind and don't judge something until you've experienced it, you'll enjoy things a LOT more.

gallySeptember 25, 2003

Um, aren't ANY of you interested in the Kingdom Hearts game? I for one really enjoyed the PS2 game, and I think the GBA version could be pretty fun as well. I hope Donald and Goofy follow you around, but I'm not sure if they will...

Reason being that this game involves card battling of sorts (possibly like Mega Man Network Transmission - a limited number of special attacks, and battles in real-time), plus one screenshot showed Goofy in the center of the screen doing his shield-spin, with a Goofy card selected, while Sora held his keyblade straight up. In other words, it hinted at Goofy being a summon, or the player controlling him perhaps.

I thought the PS2 Kingdom Hearts was really fun, and I've beaten it 5 times already, so I have good authority to hold such an opinion. I hope this game keeps that type of fun and the fast paced and frantic battles as well.

Bill AurionSeptember 25, 2003

Ask that question again after you see my topic in GBA discussion face-icon-small-wink.gif

DjunknownSeptember 25, 2003

Looks like Kingdom Hearts gets a second chance(GTA Vice City came out around the same time, and KH would forever play 2nd fiddle to the 80s trip): On GBA? Better than nothing I guess.

Wonder if they'll include the Pixar characters...

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