Kingdom Hearts 4 has plenty of room to surprise players. Across the series, Disney worlds have ranged from direct retellings of familiar films to entirely new adventures set alongside their source material. Agrabah, for example, returned in Kingdom Hearts 2 for a loose take on The Return of Jafar, while San Fransokyo became a genuine sequel-style setting for Big Hero 6 in Kingdom Hearts 3.
Some traditions seem unavoidable, including another warm visit to 100 Acre Wood with Winnie the Pooh and friends. Beyond that, Sora’s next destination remains open. The game is already confirmed to include the Land of the Dead from Coco, while Mickey Mouse appears set to explore a papercraft storybook world. A D23 trailer also showed Donald and Goofy searching for Sora in Hades’ underworld, strongly suggesting a return to the world of Hercules and the Olympus Coliseum.
Here are six worlds that could give the next adventure fresh mechanics and memorable character moments, followed by four settings that have already had their turn.
Six Kingdom Hearts 4 worlds we want to see
1. Moana
Moana was a conspicuous omission from Kingdom Hearts 3. The film arrived in cinemas in November 2016, while the game launched a little over two years later in January 2019, so it may simply have appeared too late in development. The game also already had a major sea voyage through its loose adaptation of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.
A Moana world could make ocean travel feel distinct, using a different kind of boat and a chain of new destinations. Tamatoa and Te Kā would translate naturally into imposing Heartless bosses, while a mostly direct adaptation of the first film would provide a clear structure. With the sequel and a live-action adaptation expanding the property’s cultural footprint, it is an increasingly obvious fit. There should only be one major ocean journey, however, so let Moana own it rather than bringing Jack Sparrow back.
2. Encanto
At first glance, Encanto lacks the usual ingredients for a Kingdom Hearts level: there is no conventional villain, the central conflict is familial, and much of the story takes place around one house. Casita turns those apparent limitations into opportunities. Each Madrigal bedroom could become a strange, self-contained space shaped by its occupant’s gift.
The film only explored Antonio’s and Isabela’s rooms in detail. A game could expand into Pepa’s weather-filled room, Camilo’s shifting spaces and Luisa’s physically demanding environment. The family’s doubt, fear, jealousy and insecurity also align neatly with the emotions that attract the Heartless, making Encanto especially compatible with the series’ themes.
3. Frozen 2
Arendelle was one of Kingdom Hearts 3‘s most divisive worlds. Sora repeatedly climbed and fell from the mountain, while Elsa’s story often played out at a distance. Even “Let It Go” became a long cutscene in which Sora had little to do.
Frozen 2 offers a better gameplay foundation. Elsa travels into an enchanted forest, encounters corrupted elemental spirits and follows a mysterious voice towards Ahtohallan. Sora, Donald and Goofy could join that journey directly, with the Darkness providing a simple explanation for the hostile water horse, wind spirit and fire lizard.
4. Zootopia
Adding another modern city may be difficult because Kingdom Hearts 4 already features the realistic-looking Quadratum. Still, Zootopia could offer a very different urban playground. San Fransokyo was among Kingdom Hearts 3‘s most engaging settings, while its city traversal sometimes recalled open-world superhero and pirate games. If the new game has room for a second city, Zootopia is a strong candidate. Zootopia 2 is also described in the source material as Disney’s highest-grossing animated feature ever.
The character transformations would be particularly interesting. Sora became a lion in the Pride Lands, so would Zootopia turn him into a bipedal golden retriever? Would Donald and Goofy change too, or remain recognisable in subtly unsettling forms? Rather than retelling either film, the world could tell an original police adventure in which Sora works with Nick and Judy to investigate Heartless outbreaks.
5. Toy Story
Toy Box worked because Kingdom Hearts 3 did not simply replay Toy Story. Set after Toy Story 2, its story separated several toys from Andy and placed them in a replica world created by Young Xehanort. Sora formed a convincing friendship with Woody, helped the toys navigate the strange setting and witnessed Woody deliver a memorable verbal takedown of Young Xehanort.
A return should preserve that original approach. With five Toy Story films now available as inspiration, there are many locations to explore. Toy Box also ended without fully restoring the world or reuniting every missing toy, leaving a clear reason for Woody and Sora to continue their story.
6. Star Wars
The 2022 announcement trailer contains less than ten seconds of a lush forest unlike anything previously seen in the series. A metallic, dome-like object visible in the footage has been identified by sharp-eyed fans as the foot of an AT-ST. If that reading is correct, Sora could be heading to the Moon of Endor during the events of 1983’s Star Wars: Episode 6 – Return of the Jedi.
A galaxy far, far away has been a popular wish since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. The idea of Sora wielding a Keyblade-lightsaber hybrid is appealing, and a successful Star Wars world could make a Marvel crossover seem considerably more plausible.
Four worlds Kingdom Hearts 4 should leave behind
1. The Little Mermaid
Atlantica has already delivered an awkward underwater action stage and a rhythm-game sequence featuring Sora as a merboy, Donald as an octopus and Goofy as a sea turtle. The original game’s three-dimensional combat was particularly cumbersome because Sora’s movement was restricted underwater. Kingdom Hearts 2 responded by replacing battles with musical mini-games, creating one of the franchise’s strangest levels.
There is little reason to revisit that formula. If the series needs another marine setting, Finding Nemo would be fresher, or the game could expand Moana with a substantial trip to Lalotai, the land of beasts where Tamatoa lives.
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
The Caribbean deserves a rest. Its Kingdom Hearts 2 appearance pushed towards an uncanny mix of photorealistic actors, undead pirates and cartoon heroes, while Kingdom Hearts 3 delivered an ambitious and genuinely satisfying adaptation of At World’s End.
Sora captained a ship, sank enemy vessels, explored islands, dived beneath the ocean and battled a huge sea monster. Another visit would have little left to prove, and the remaining Jack Sparrow sequels do not offer an obvious reason to return. Moana would be better placed to inherit and refine the sailing mechanics.
3. Aladdin
Agrabah has been revisited more than any other Disney setting in the series. The original Kingdom Hearts adapted Aladdin, Kingdom Hearts 2 loosely covered The Return of Jafar, and the world also appeared throughout the handheld games. Sora has fought Jafar repeatedly, escaped the Cave of Wonders, ridden the Magic Carpet and heard Genie discuss friendship more than enough times.
Aladdin and the King of Thieves remains technically unused, but Aladdin’s father is not a strong enough reason to return to the same streets. Genie could still work as a summon or another supporting element, but Agrabah itself should make way for something new.
4. Tron
The series has already adapted both earlier Tron films. Kingdom Hearts 2 reconstructed the original movie as Space Paranoids, while Dream Drop Distance sent Sora and Riku into the world of Tron: Legacy.
The concept fits Kingdom Hearts on paper, with its artificial worlds, replicated people and unexpected hearts. In practice, the sterile environments and severe characters feel cold beside the warmer Disney settings, and the Grid is not especially compelling to explore. Two trips into the computer are enough. If the game needs another digital world, Wreck-It Ralph would offer a more colourful alternative.
For players who enjoy bringing arcade-style entertainment into the home, the RETROCADE Arcade Blog covers gaming news and industry ideas, while the Arcade Videos collection offers more to watch. Those planning a themed setup can also browse the arcade machines range or use the Arcade Machine Buying Guide before choosing a cabinet.
Leave a Reply