Kingdom Hearts is Finally Coming to Switch 2 Natively Because I Deserve Better Than the Cloud
Square Enix might actually be ready to give us a Kingdom Hearts experience on Switch 2 that doesn't rely on a god-tier internet connection and a prayer.
The "Cloud Versions" of Kingdom Hearts on the original Switch were a total slap in the face. It was a lazy solution to a hardware problem that left most of us staring at stuttering cutscenes while our Wi-Fi gasped for air. But now that the Switch 2 has been out for a while and proven it can actually handle modern games, it looks like the era of streaming Sora is finally coming to a close. I’ve spent too many hours dealing with input lag to ever want to see that "Cloud Version" logo again.
The Leakers Are Dropping Major Hints
I’ve been watching the rumors swirl, and it looks like some heavy hitters are putting their reputation on the line for this one. Nash Weedle, who has been on a bit of a hot streak with Nintendo leaks lately, recently claimed that Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece is ready for a native release. This isn't just some random guess from the dark corners of the internet. If Nash says it’s ready, it usually means the marketing team is just waiting for the right moment to press the "Publish" button.
What makes this even more credible is that Attack The Backlog has vouched for the info. He didn't just see the tweet and shrug. He actively spoke with Nash behind the scenes and used his own source to corroborate that the game is indeed coming to the Switch 2. When two established voices tag-team a leak like this, it’s hard not to pay attention. It feels like the community is finally being heard after years of being told to just deal with the cloud.
Why Native Hardware Changes Everything
Playing these games natively on the Switch 2 means we finally get actual performance instead of the compressed, laggy mess of the previous generation. We're talking about the full collection here. If these sources are right, I’ll finally be able to play the whole saga on a train or in a hotel room without the game turning into a slideshow because the local internet is trash. The Switch 2 has the power to run these games properly, and it's about damn time Square Enix acknowledged that.
The Potential Physical Release Catch
There is one little bit of drama brewing in the community regarding how this will actually show up on store shelves. Some eagle-eyed fans have pointed out that Square Enix might opt for a "Key Card" release. If you haven't seen these yet, it's basically a physical box that contains a download code instead of a real cartridge. It's the ultimate middle finger to physical collectors who want to actually own their games.
Cartridges Versus Digital Codes
I’d much prefer a chunky cartridge that actually contains the data, but I wouldn't put it past a major publisher to take the cheaper route. Even if it is just a code in a box, a native version is still a massive upgrade over the cloud. The Integrum Masterpiece is a massive package, including the 1.5, 2.5, and 2.8 remixes along with Kingdom Hearts 3. Fitting all that onto a single cartridge would be a miracle, but I’m holding out hope that Square doesn't cut too many corners.
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