Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Was Better on GBA

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Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories stands out as an unconventional title within the series, deviating from the standard direct-action RPG format. Instead, it incorporated a card game mechanic into its combat system, making battles more tactical and encouraging players to exercise patience during fights. Following its initial release on PlayStation 2, the game has been included in remastered compilations ever since.

While the remake is a decent game in its own right, the original GBA game plays a lot better.

Back then, I found the 16-bit visuals of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories to be absolutely charming, even by today’s standards. The nostalgic renditions of Sora, Donald, Goofy, and other beloved characters from the original game were captivating in their new graphical style. It’s a shame that this Game Boy Advance gem didn’t receive as much recognition as it deserved.

While the gameplay of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and its remake share some resemblance, the original Game Boy Advance (GBA) version offers a more rapid-fire experience. The remake, on the other hand, follows the style of the PS2 games, resulting in battles that can be equally lengthy or even longer due to the use of cards, which restricts the player’s actions. The GBA version’s enemies are quicker to defeat and the levels are smoother to navigate through, possibly because it was designed as a portable game.

Fans of this franchise tend to enjoy the remake because it places greater emphasis on storytelling, features high-quality voice acting, and offers good cinematography. The fact that it resembles the PS2 originals in terms of style is beneficial as it aligns with the overall aesthetic of the series, making transitions between games smoother. This consistency also aids fans who prefer to watch multiple games in succession, as a similar visual style makes binge-watching more enjoyable.

Chain of Memories more enjoyable to play on the Game Boy Advance (GBA). The GBA version seems easier because I can mash buttons and see quick results, which requires less precision or strategy compared to other versions. However, I still need to choose the right cards and arrange them in my deck, but it feels less tedious in this version.

I wouldn’t categorize Chain of Memories as a poorly made Kingdom Hearts game because it attempted to innovate with its battle system. However, following the first game, I found the transition less appealing, and I was yearning for more of the spectacular fighting action. Fortunately, subsequent games in the series refined that combat style and improved significantly due to it.

Sadly, currently, there’s no legitimate method to enjoy the original Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. However, although it might not be as great, a remake can be found on remastered compilations, which is what truly counts.

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2025-04-20 18:42