Kingdom Hearts on Switch 2: No More Cloud Gaming Excuses!

The arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 promises a new era of gaming on the go. The recent Nintendo Switch 2 Direct showcased impressive titles coming to the console, including graphically demanding games like *Elden Ring*, *Cyberpunk 2077*, and *Final Fantasy 7 Remake*. While these announcements are exciting, they highlight an existing problem: cloud-based gaming on the original Switch, especially for the *Kingdom Hearts* series.

The *Kingdom Hearts* series, while not as graphically intensive as some modern games, remains trapped in cloud-based versions on the Switch, with the exception of *Melody of Memory*. This is particularly frustrating considering that the most demanding title, *Kingdom Hearts 3*, originally ran on the PS4. Why Square Enix insists on this cloud-based approach is a mystery to many fans.

The Problem with Cloud Gaming Many gamers, myself included, prefer playing on the Switch for its handheld convenience. I don't mind slightly lower graphics quality as long as the game runs smoothly. I love *Kingdom Hearts*, but I refuse to purchase the cloud versions on Switch. The *Intergrum Masterpiece* collection costs $89.99, a steep price for games that can't be played offline and feel like you don't truly own them.

When these cloud versions first launched, numerous players reported server performance issues, so severe that the game itself would advise players when *not* to play. This is unacceptable for a paid game that should be playable at the user's leisure. *Kingdom Hearts 3* might warrant some leniency due to its PS4 origins, but most of the other games were designed for older consoles like the PS2, PS3, and DS/3DS. The Switch should be able to handle those natively.

Switch 2: A Chance for Redemption Unfortunately, *Kingdom Hearts* isn't the only series suffering from cloud gaming on the Switch. Titles like *Assassin's Creed Odyssey*, *Resident Evil 7*, *A Plague Tale*, and *Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy* are also cloud-based casualties.

While the original Switch's hardware might have justified cloud versions for some of these games, charging the same price as native versions while subjecting players to the inherent issues of cloud gaming is questionable. The Switch 2 offers a chance to rectify this. If the new console can handle *Final Fantasy 7 Remake*, it can undoubtedly run *Kingdom Hearts 3*, and certainly the earlier games in the series.

The Switch 2 represents a golden opportunity to finally deliver native ports of these games. Without a Steam Deck or similar PC handheld, the Switch remains the only way for many fans to enjoy their favorite games in a handheld format. Hopefully, the Switch 2 will address the shortcomings of cloud gaming and allow players to truly enjoy these experiences on the go.