List of Kingdom Hearts references in other media
This is a list of assorted media references to the Kingdom Hearts games shown outside of the series.
Video Games
CrossCode
In CrossCode, the "Salty Ice Cream" is a reference to Sea-salt ice cream. The item's description reads "Best enjoyed at sunset on top of a clocktower."[1]
Disney Infinity 3.0
At the D23 Expo 2015, all attending fans were given a power disc which unlocked Mickey's Kingdom Hearts outfit in the game. The Keyblade appears in the game as the Ultimate Unlock, requiring players to purchase and scan every figure available for that version of the game.
Disney Tsum Tsum
Several Kingdom Hearts characters are available as Tsums, including: Sora (Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts III, Halloween, and Pirate versions), Riku, Kairi, Terra, Ventus, Aqua, King Mickey (in a black coat), Chirithy, Ansem, Xemnas, Young Xehanort, and a Shadow. Donald and Goofy in their Halloweentown appearances are also available.
In 2019, an event themed around Kingdom Hearts was held. During this event, players cleared stages in order to seal the keyholes in seven worlds: Traverse Town, Wonderland, Agrabah, Atlantica, 100 Acre Wood, Never Land, and Hollow Bastion.
Final Fantasy series
- In Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, DLC costumes are available for Cloud Strife, Squall Leonheart, and Sephiroth based on their appearance in Kingdom Hearts.
- In Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, when Tifa Lockhart is in EX Mode, she equips the Premium Heart gloves, which have the heart symbol from the Kingdom Hearts series on them.
- In Final Fantasy XIII-2, a scene appears, involving Lightning and Serah, emulating the iconic scene in Kingdom Hearts where Riku reaches for Sora to follow him into the darkness, later echoed by Vanitas and Young Xehanort.
- In the iOS port of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy and Theathrythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call, Auron is available as a DLC character in his Kingdom Hearts II appearance.
- In World of Final Fantasy, Sora in his Dream Drop Distance attire appears as a limited-time free DLC Champion Summon.
- In Final Fantasy XV, Prompto refers to the Keyblade by mentioning “a magical key that can unlock any door—like from the video games!”
- In Final Fantasy Brave Exvius:
- In 2018, an event was held to commemorate the launch of Kingdom Hearts III. Sora, Riku, Cloud, and Sephiroth in their Kingdom Hearts attire appear as playable characters, while Darkside and Guard Armor appear as bosses for players to fight.
- In 2020, an event taking place in Scala ad Caelum was held. Sora, Riku, and Kairi in their Kingdom Hearts III appearances, as well as Young Xehanort in his Dark Road appearance, are available as playable characters.
Marvel Heroes
In Marvel Heroes, Deadpool can wield a series of weapons named "Keyblades". However, they do not physically resemble the Keyblades from the Kingdom Hearts series. The in-game description of the Keyblades, "A heart, a heart, my kingdom for a heart", is a reference to William Shakespeare's Richard III, as well as a pun on the Kingdom Hearts series.
The Simpsons Game
- Comic Book Guy quotes Ansem's "Every light must fade, all hearts return to darkness" in the Big Super Happy Fun Fun level of the game.
- The Statues of Santa's Little Helper in the Super Happy Fun Fun level of the game have a Keyblade in their mouths.
Terraria
In Terraria, a melee weapon called the "Keybrand" can drop from certain enemies. The item bears a strong resemblance to the Kingdom Key and is swung in a similar fashion, hitting enemies with the blunt end of the weapon rather than with the key's teeth.
Undermine
In Undermine, an item called the "Key Blade" can be obtained. The item's description reads "A sword in the shape of a dull key. Not practical as a key or blade.""[2]
Miscellaneous
2020 Summer Olympics
During the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, the Parade of Nations featured a host of video game music playing alongside the arrival of the athletes. Among those video game music included, Olympus Coliseum from the Kingdom Hearts series played during the parade.[3]
Starbomb
- Music group Starbomb wrote a song for their third album, The TryForce, called "The Simple Plot of Kingdom Hearts", with Sora recounting the events of Kingdom Hearts.[4]
Tokyo Disney Resort
In November 2010, a statue inspired by Kingdom Hearts Re:coded was shown at the Ikspiari complex in Tokyo Disney Resort to promote the release of the game.
Notes and references
- ^ Kingdom Hearts Reference in CrossCode
- ^ Kingdom Hearts Reference in Undermine
- ^ Full list of video game music playing for the Parade of Nations, including Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Monster Hunter, Kingdom Hearts, Chrono Trigger, Ace Combat, Sonic the Hedgehog, NieR, Soul Caliber, and more, @Nymo from Twitter
- ^ The Simple Plot of Kingdom Hearts