I played Kingdom Hearts for the first time on Switch 2 — and I'm both overwhelmed and hooked

I, like many gamers, have a list of personal gaming blind spots. Long-running franchises I've always wanted to explore but never got around to playing. At the top of my list is Kingdom Hearts, an action-RPG mash-up of Disney and Final Fantasy that has evolved since its 2002 debut on PlayStation 2. When Square Enix announced the Kingdom Hearts Collection, it felt like a package designed for someone like me.

I recently got hold of the collection on Nintendo Switch 2 and played a handful of hours of the first game. While I found the opening a bit rough, with its PS2-era visuals and some clunky gameplay, I was quickly drawn in by its intriguing story and lovable characters. The collection includes all three numbered Kingdom Hearts games, along with multiple spin-offs and HD movies, making it a perfect starting point for newcomers or a great value for longtime fans.