You do not yet know what lies beyond the box.

Kingdom Hearts limited editions

Finally, it’s arrived and in my hands! Let’s take a look at the Deluxe Edition for Kingdom Hearts III!

Warning: image-heavy post ahoy!

Item Info:

Kingdom Hearts III Deluxe Edition
Disney Interactive / Square Enix
PlayStation 4
Release Date: January 29, 2019
MSRP: $79.99

About:

Kingdom Hearts III was released in three versions: standard, deluxe, and deluxe + Bring Arts figures. The Toy Story Bring Arts figures is a Square Enix Store exclusive, but the Deluxe Edition itself is the same. That version includes the game, steelbook, artbook, and pin. Various retailers offered different bonus items or promotions (fabric poster, DLC, art cards, etc.) I got mine at Best Buy, so I didn’t get any exclusive physical or DLC bonuses.

Photos:

Thoughts:

I really like how the Deluxe Edition cover went with the simple design. The logo is slightly raised and iridescent. It looks really nice against the black background, and it’s much nicer than 2.8‘s solid black box.

I haven’t been a big fan of the pins, but obviously there’s a whole market for these official Disney pins. Personally, I’d rather have several can badges over one shaped metal one. It’s not my favorite Sora expression either. I like PS3 1.5‘s using the Re:coded image of Sora and Mickey. Plus, the Sora-on-throne bit has been done, what, at least three times now? It was on the 1.5 box, almost identical to the artbook image. Plus, it was on the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack, although he didn’t look cocky on it but rather was sulking.

Speaking of the artbook, I was not impressed. Maybe it was just my copy, but the binding — particularly for the first two pages — was poor. It was like extra glue was used on it, and I couldn’t open it all the way. It’s hard to tell, but the image with Nomura’s message? That’s as far as I could open it. Of course, you can never open a book fully (except if it’s a spiral bound), but from the side, it’s obvious they went too far in and part of the actual pages are stuck together.

The artbook itself is just renders of the character or screenshots. Most I believe you can download right from the Kingdom Hearts III website because they’ve been in just about every article for the game that’s come out. Also, the timeline is very basic, really just a list of the Kingdom Hearts games. Chances are, if you don’t know this by now, you’re going to be confused as heck by the game. Why wasn’t there more of sketch art or something? I admit not taking an in-depth look in case of spoilers, but most of this looks like pictures you would find in a strategy guide. Which yes, I’m still salty that the game isn’t getting one. That’s where this mini-artbook would have shined — as an art section in a guide. I do love the front cover thought, which is also the image used on the game disc. Unlike the Sora-on-throne series, which I dislike, the Sora-on-beach pictures are always good. For me, this is the most Sora-esque image out of them all.

Steelbook… is a steelbook. I do like how Deluxe Edition owners do not lose out on the standard game package, as that also is a great image. The plaid pattern though, I didn’t care for. I know you can see the various Kingdom Hearts-related image in the space between squares, but I’d rather have the whole thing be those emblems. It doesn’t really scream Kingdom Hearts to me. I think it would have been nicer to either use the pattern like on the artbook page’s border or make the boxes lighter, like on the Deluxe Edition’s packaging. They just overpower the symbols.

Final Comments:

Really, what I love most is the box. Second place goes to the artbook cover, but what’s inside the artbook was very lackluster. Maybe if they had upped the price by like $10, they could have improved the artbook. Or maybe they could have something that upped the fun factor, like a small figure or plushie. Something other than a pin, which I’m sick of Kingdom Hearts limited editions getting.

If you don’t hear from me for a while… I’m off saving the world with my Keyblade.

Have you picked up Kingdom Hearts III? Which version? What do you think of the Deluxe Edition and/or the game?

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13 Comments

  1. Matthew

    In the same way, I might be gone because I am playing this game too. I got my copy from Walmart. I got the deluxe edition but it came with three art cards which images from Frozen, Toy Story and Monsters Inc.

    Reply
    1. Krystallina (Post author)

      I thought maybe you were going to go with GameStop for the poster. But the art cards are certainly nice.

      Reply
      1. Matthew

        I wanted to at first, but the price would have been near the same price for the Square Enix version. According to the GameStop site, if I would have shipped to my PO Box, it would have cost about $90 for the deluxe.

        Reply
        1. Krystallina (Post author)

          Ouch!

          Reply
          1. Matthew

            Yeah I wanted to get the poster from GameStop, but that would mean I need to spend almost $100. There is no GameStop in my town unless I am willing to make a trip.

  2. Red Metal

    This certainly seems like the kind of special edition that would please fans. You know itโ€™s serious when it has a message from the director.

    Reply
    1. Krystallina (Post author)

      I was really surprised at all the preorder incentives at all the retailers. Been a while since so many stores were giving different bonuses. Just shows how big this game is for Disney/Square Enix.

      Reply
  3. Rose

    That looks so nice. ๐Ÿ™‚ It was exciting to read this post!

    Reply
    1. Krystallina (Post author)

      Glad you enjoyed it! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Coco

    I wish I was playing KH3, but sadly I still donโ€™t own a PS4. ^^; I never really cared much for the KH deluxe editions, so never splurged on them.

    Reply
    1. Krystallina (Post author)

      For the best KH special edition, I’d have to go with KHFM’s Platinum Limited (JP). Mark of Mastery edition was pretty nice for 3D because of the 3DS case. Otherwise, yeah, they’ve been pretty lackluster.

      Reply
  5. Lizzo

    I still can’t believe that it took 14 years to drop. I lost interest at about year 8 but seeing how happy alot of my social media circle is. I’m excited for them even though I’m not likely to play it. The beach scene sketch of Sora is so nostalgic and actually put a smile on my face. I’m not really feeling the throne images either but that enamel pin is fire.

    Have fun and kick some heartless butt.

    Reply
    1. Krystallina (Post author)

      Thank you! Yeah, hard to believe how many years have passed.

      Reply

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