Kingdom Hearts 4 finally received a major update at D23 2026, with Square Enix revealing a new trailer, the game’s first confirmed Disney world and a long-awaited release window. The next mainline chapter in the Kingdom Hearts saga is scheduled to launch in late 2027 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC, ending years of uncertainty surrounding when Sora’s next adventure would arrive. The new footage also confirmed that Pixar’s Coco will be represented in Kingdom Hearts 4, taking Sora into the colorful Land of the Dead. The announcement represents one of the biggest updates on the game since Square Enix originally unveiled Kingdom Hearts 4 in 2022 and provides the clearest picture yet of the new era beginning after Kingdom Hearts 3.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Is Coming in Late 2027
The biggest announcement from the new D23 presentation is the release window. Kingdom Hearts 4 is officially targeting late 2027, although Square Enix has not announced an exact day or month yet.
The game is planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC, giving Kingdom Hearts 4 a broad multiplatform launch. The Switch 2 version is particularly notable following the game’s return to the spotlight during a Nintendo presentation earlier in 2026.
Kingdom Hearts 4 was originally announced during the franchise’s 20th anniversary event in April 2022. After a lengthy period with very little public information, Square Enix began showing the project again before bringing it to D23 for one of its most substantial presentations yet.
Coco Is Coming to Kingdom Hearts 4
The D23 trailer delivered another major reveal by confirming Coco as a Disney and Pixar world in Kingdom Hearts 4.
Footage shows Sora entering the Land of the Dead, bringing the distinctive environments and visual identity of Pixar’s 2017 movie into the Kingdom Hearts universe. It is the first Disney world officially revealed for the new game and confirms that the traditional concept of Sora traveling between Disney properties will continue in the next saga.
Coco could be especially appropriate for Kingdom Hearts because of its themes surrounding death, memory, family and the connections between different worlds. Those ideas could potentially complement the unusual situation Sora finds himself in following the ending of Kingdom Hearts 3, although exactly how Coco connects to the main story has not yet been fully explained.
Sora’s Story Continues in Quadratum
Kingdom Hearts 4 begins a completely new storyline known as the Lost Master Arc, following the conclusion of the Dark Seeker Saga that dominated the franchise from the original Kingdom Hearts through Kingdom Hearts 3.
Sora finds himself in Quadratum, a large and unusually realistic city that stands in dramatic contrast to many of the colorful fantasy environments traditionally associated with Kingdom Hearts.
The location resembles modern Tokyo and was one of the biggest surprises when Kingdom Hearts 4 was originally revealed. Sora himself also received a more realistic appearance while inside Quadratum, reflecting the visual rules of the world around him.
Square Enix has previously established Quadratum as an important hub for the new adventure, while Donald Duck and Goofy continue searching for Sora after his disappearance.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Is Being Built With Unreal Engine 5
Kingdom Hearts 4 is being developed with Unreal Engine 5, allowing Square Enix to significantly increase the visual detail of environments and characters compared with previous entries.
The difference is particularly visible in Quadratum, where realistic buildings, streets, lighting and character designs give the game a visual identity unlike previous Kingdom Hearts titles.
That does not mean the entire game will maintain that realistic appearance. The franchise traditionally changes the presentation of its characters depending on the world they visit, allowing Sora and his companions to visually adapt to different Disney universes.
The new Coco footage provides another demonstration of that flexibility, shifting away from Quadratum’s realistic urban environment toward the stylized aesthetic of Pixar’s Land of the Dead.
The Lost Master Arc Begins
Kingdom Hearts 4 is more than a direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts 3. Square Enix is positioning the game as the beginning of the franchise’s next major era.
The previous saga spent years building toward the final confrontation involving Xehanort. Kingdom Hearts 4 instead moves the focus toward mysteries surrounding the Lost Masters, Quadratum and the consequences of Sora’s previous actions.
This gives Square Enix an opportunity to establish new conflicts while continuing unresolved storylines and relationships from previous games.
Sora remains the central protagonist, while characters including Donald and Goofy remain connected to his disappearance. The broader roles of characters such as Riku, Kairi and other Keyblade wielders in Kingdom Hearts 4 have yet to be fully detailed.
D23 Marks a Major Comeback for Kingdom Hearts
The new trailer arrives at an important moment for the entire franchise. Kingdom Hearts is approaching its 25th anniversary, and Disney recently identified the series as a gaming franchise that has generated more than $1 billion. The games have collectively sold more than 38 million copies, demonstrating the enormous scale the Disney and Square Enix collaboration has achieved.
D23 is also hosting a dedicated Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts presentation featuring Kingdom Hearts 4 co-director Tai Yasue alongside Haley Joel Osment and David Gallagher, the English voices associated with Sora and Riku.
And Kingdom Hearts 4 is no longer the only major project expanding the franchise. Disney also announced an animated Kingdom Hearts series for Disney+, giving the property another major expansion beyond gaming.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Is Finally Taking Shape
After years of waiting, the future of Kingdom Hearts is considerably clearer.
Sora’s next journey has a release target. Coco has become the first confirmed Disney world. Quadratum will serve as a crucial location in the beginning of the Lost Master Arc. And the game is heading to current-generation consoles, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
There are still enormous mysteries surrounding the project, including the complete selection of Disney worlds, the role of the Lost Masters and exactly how Sora will escape his strange new reality.
But following D23 2026, Kingdom Hearts 4 no longer feels like a distant project revealed years too early. Sora is officially preparing to return in late 2027.
FAQ
When will Kingdom Hearts 4 be released?
Kingdom Hearts 4 is scheduled to launch in late 2027. Square Enix has not announced an exact release date yet.
What platforms will Kingdom Hearts 4 be available on?
The game is planned for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
Is Coco in Kingdom Hearts 4?
Yes. The new D23 trailer officially revealed a world based on Pixar’s Coco, featuring Sora in the Land of the Dead.
What is Kingdom Hearts 4 about?
Kingdom Hearts 4 follows Sora after the events of the previous games and begins a new storyline called the Lost Master Arc. Quadratum, a realistic world resembling modern Tokyo, will play a major role in the story.
Is Kingdom Hearts 4 using Unreal Engine 5?
Yes. The final game is being developed using Unreal Engine 5.
Will Donald and Goofy return in Kingdom Hearts 4?
Donald and Goofy have already been shown as part of Kingdom Hearts 4’s story and are involved in the search for Sora.
