Overview

KINGDOM HEARTS Chain of Memories is the direct sequel to KINGDOM HEARTS, available for Nintendo's handheld console at the time, the Gameboy Advance. Many fans were under the impression that this game was a spin-off title, and found themselves missing key information when playing KINGDOM HEARTS II a few years later.

New this time around was the card-based battle system, which marked a serious departure from the gameplay of the first game. Every action (battle or traversal) is dictated by collectable cards that help you do everything from progress through levels to defeating powerful bosses! It was a unique system, to be sure, and is rather divisive among fans. Still, KINGDOM HEARTS Chain of Memories has a great story that also plays a key part in the overall narrative of the franchise!

In 2008, KINGDOM HEARTS Chain of Memories was completely rebuilt from the ground up and re-released for PlayStation 2 as KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories.

This new released featured updated graphics (comparable to those in KINGDOM HEARTS II), voice acting (for select scenes), new card and sleights, new bosses, and even a newly-remastered soundtrack with new songs as well!

KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories was re-released as part of the KINGDOM HEARTS HD I.5 ReMIX Collection for the PlayStation 3.  The game had been fully remastered with HD graphics, 30 frames-per-second gameplay, and PlayStation Trophy support.

Unlike KINGDOM HEARTS Final Mix's inclusion in this HD collection, KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories did not feature a re-orchestrated soundtrack. Instead, only the track "Lord of the Castle" was remastered.
Additionally, new in-game collectables could be unlocked if players also had save data of watching the KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days cinematic.

KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories was released again just a few years later as part of the KINGDOM HEARTS HD I.5 + II.5 ReMIX Collection for the PlayStation 4.  This collection featured all of the games from KINGDOM HEARTS HD I.5 ReMIX, as well as those found in KINGDOM HEARTS HD II.5 ReMIX (both originally for the PlayStation 3).

This time around, the game featured even more enhanced graphics, as well as an upgrade from 30 frames-per-second to 60, thanks to the PlayStation 4's superior technical specs.  A newly updated set of PlayStation Trophies was developed for this version of the game as well.

KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories was also included in the KINGDOM HEARTS ~The Story So Far~ collection for PlayStation 4.

This collection was a 2-disc set that came with KINGDOM HEARTS HD I.5 + II.5 ReMIX as well as KINGDOM HEARTS HD II.8 Final Chapter Prologue. There was nothing different about this iteration of KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories compared to its inclusion in the KINGDOM HEARTS HD I.5 + II.5 ReMIX collection; it was simply a repackaged collection to include every KINGDOM HEARTS remastered title in one bundle.