If you’ve been following Kingdom Hearts for a while, you already know how this goes. One rumor pops up and suddenly the entire community is on fire. And this time it’s not something small. We’re talking about a possible full remake of the first Kingdom Hearts and, on top of that, a clearer release window for Kingdom Hearts 4. All of this coming from the same leaker, across different articles published by well-known gaming sites. So let’s slow down, put all this together, and actually understand what’s being said. No rushing, no hype for the sake of hype, but also no cold, corporate-sounding breakdown. The idea here is to explain, add context, and yeah, make you want to read until the end. ## The Kingdom Hearts 1 remake rumor and why it matters so much Everything starts with a name that’s probably familiar if you follow Japanese game leaks: eXtas1s. According to him, Square Enix is working on a remake of the first Kingdom Hearts. Not a simple remaster like the HD collections we already have, but something deeper, closer to a full modern rebuild. And that changes a lot. The original Kingdom Hearts launched in 2002. Back then, it was bold, weird, and kind of experimental. Mixing Final Fantasy characters with Disney worlds sounded crazy, and honestly, it still does. But the game has aged. Not badly, but it has aged. Stiff controls, tricky camera, slow pacing in certain sections. A remake would give Square the chance to fix all of that without touching the heart of the game. According to the rumors, this remake is planned for early 2027. Not exactly around the corner, but not that far away either, especially by Kingdom Hearts standards. What’s really interesting is how this project supposedly started. The leaked info suggests it began as part of a canceled mobile project. Instead of throwing everything away, Square Enix may have decided to reuse that work and turn it into a full console remake. If that’s true, it explains why this remake appeared so suddenly in rumors. ## What could change in a Kingdom Hearts remake This is where things get genuinely exciting. The remake wouldn’t be just a visual upgrade. Yes, graphics would be rebuilt, likely using a style similar to Kingdom Hearts 3 and what we’ve seen of Kingdom Hearts 4. Better models, smoother animations, modern lighting. But the rumor goes further than that. One of the most talked-about details is the possible inclusion of a Jungle Book world. That’s interesting because this world was originally planned for the 2002 game but cut during development. So it wouldn’t be a random addition, more like a long-lost idea finally brought to life. Another big point is the possibility of playable Riku segments. Not as the main character, but in parallel sections showing what Riku was doing while Sora was on his journey. That alone could add a lot of emotional weight and make Riku’s fall to darkness hit harder. Traverse Town could also be expanded. The rumors mention new areas, additional paths, maybe even small side stories involving secondary characters. Nothing that changes the core story, but enough to make longtime fans feel like they’re not just replaying the same game again. At its core, the idea seems simple: respect the original Kingdom Hearts while making it smoother, more comfortable, and more complete for players in 2027, not 2002. ## Kingdom Hearts 4 and Square Enix’s unusual strategy Now we get to the part that raised a few eyebrows. According to the same sources, Kingdom Hearts 4 is planned for winter 2027, meaning late in the same year the KH1 remake would release. Two major games from the same franchise in one year. That’s rare. But when you think about it, it starts to make sense. Kingdom Hearts 4 kicks off a new story arc. It’s not exactly friendly to newcomers who haven’t played everything before. Releasing a remake of the very first game beforehand would be a smart way to bring new players in. They play the remake, get attached to the characters, and by the time KH4 launches, they’re emotionally invested. For longtime fans, it works as an emotional warm-up. Revisiting where it all began right before stepping into the next big chapter. Of course, all of this depends on development schedules, delays, and the usual Square Enix unpredictability. But as a strategy, it’s not a bad one. ## Platforms and Nintendo’s possible role Another point mentioned in the articles is platform availability, including what’s informally being called the Nintendo Switch 2. Nothing confirmed, obviously, but it would make sense for Square Enix to aim for a wide release. Kingdom Hearts has always had a strange relationship with Nintendo. A few exclusives here, cloud versions there, some questionable decisions along the way. A well-made, fully multiplatform remake could be a way to fix that. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S seem like safe bets. The remake could act as a technical showcase, while Kingdom Hearts 4 shows what the franchise’s new era is really capable of. ## Why this is still just a rumor and should be taken carefully Now, a reality check. None of this has been officially confirmed by Square Enix. No trailer, no screenshots, no announcement at an event. Everything comes from leaks, insiders, and sources that have been right before, but also wrong at times. eXtas1s himself has a mixed track record. He’s shared accurate information in the past, but he’s also jumped the gun more than once. So the healthiest way to look at all this is with curiosity, not certainty. That said, the fact that three different outlets, Gameblog, My Nintendo News, and ComicBook.com, are all reporting the same core details does give the rumor some weight. It’s not proof, but it’s not random noise either. ## The emotional weight of a Kingdom Hearts remake This is the part that’s hard to ignore. For a lot of people, Kingdom Hearts isn’t just a game. It’s childhood, teenage years, that confusing phase of life where the story felt complicated but still hit something real. Friendship, loss, identity, growing up without really understanding what’s happening. A remake of the first game carries a lot of emotional weight. It’s not just about visuals. It’s about memories. And that’s always delicate territory. If Square Enix gets the tone right, this could be one of those releases that connects generations. People who played it in 2002 and people playing it for the first time in 2027, sharing essentially the same story in different ways. ## What to expect next If this remake really exists, the most likely scenario is an official announcement before Kingdom Hearts 4 gets a locked-in release date. Possibly at a major event, or maybe during a Square Enix showcase. That’s usually how they do things. Until then, all we can do is watch, compare information, stay a little skeptical, and speculate. That’s part of the fun. In the end, Kingdom Hearts has always lived in this strange space between reality and dream logic. Maybe it’s only fitting that its rumors feel that way too. ## Sources behind the rumors [https://gameblog.fr/en/news/72262-kingdom-hearts-remake/](https://gameblog.fr/en/news/72262-kingdom-hearts-remake/) [https://mynintendonews.com/2026/02/06/extas1s-kingdom-hearts-remake-coming-early-2027-and-kingdom-hearts-4-in-winter-2027/](https://mynintendonews.com/2026/02/06/extas1s-kingdom-hearts-remake-coming-early-2027-and-kingdom-hearts-4-in-winter-2027/) [https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/kingdom-hearts-kh1-remake-rumor/](https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/kingdom-hearts-kh1-remake-rumor/) ## FAQ about the Kingdom Hearts Remake and Kingdom Hearts 4 ### Is Kingdom Hearts really getting a remake So far, there’s no official confirmation from Square Enix. Everything comes from rumors and leaks. ### Is the Kingdom Hearts remake different from a remaster Yes. According to the rumors, this would be a full remake with rebuilt graphics, gameplay adjustments, and new content, not just an HD version. ### When could the Kingdom Hearts 1 remake be released Current rumors point to early 2027, but that could change. ### Does Kingdom Hearts 4 have a release date Not officially. The leak suggests winter 2027, meaning late in the year. ### Is Kingdom Hearts 4 a direct continuation Yes. It starts a new story arc but continues Sora’s journey after the events of Kingdom Hearts 3 and Melody of Memory. ### Could the remake come to Nintendo Switch There’s a possibility it could release on the successor to the Nintendo Switch, alongside PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, but nothing is confirmed. ### Will The Jungle Book world be in the remake According to leaks, yes. It would be content restored from ideas planned for the original game. ### Is it worth waiting for the remake to start the series If the rumor turns out to be true, the remake could become the best entry point for new players, since it updates the very first chapter of the story.