Cloud versions of Kingdom Hearts Switch are being removed and shut down

Earlier today, Nintendo excited every Kingdom Hearts fan on the planet by giving us an extended look at Kingdom Hearts 4, complete with gameplay. Many were on cloud 9, and a lot of people probably still are, but with it being a fanbase that lives and dies on tragedy, Square Enix really couldn't let them bask in their happiness for too long.

Shortly after the Nintendo Direct ended, Square Enix released a statement announcing that the cloud-based versions of the Kingdom Hearts series on Nintendo Switch are being discontinued immediately, meaning they can no longer be purchased. In addition, they will also be completely shut down on June 9, 2027, making them unplayable.

Kingdom Hearts 3 cannot be played on the original Switch

Now there is good news and bad news for this, and no doubt more. The good news is that Nintendo has literally announced Switch 2 ports for the entire Kingdom Hearts series as well as the proper versions of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 and 2.5 for the original Switch.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like an OG Switch version of Kingdom Hearts 3 is coming, so that means the game will literally be unplayable on that system once the cloud version goes away.

Kingdom Hearts Switch 2 Port has finally been revealed, coming this October

After months of rumors and a lot of begging, Kingdom Hearts is getting a proper Switch 2 port.

You may also be wondering what will happen to people who purchased the cloud versions of Kingdom Hearts when they see the game they purchased essentially being taken away from them despite it being single player. Well, instead of getting the Switch versions for free, they'll be able to get the Nintendo Switch 2 versions of the games at a “discounted price on the Nintendo eShop.”

Yes, in an incredible act of consumer friendliness, they'll take the games off you so you can buy them. Granted, the cloud versions of the game weren't great and you had to queue to get into them, but they were purchased and that purchase is removed. Not a great look right after a bunch of new games are announced.