Tools for this page
Print

Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories

(2008, Video Games - Role Playing Games, Rated E10+)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Engaging RPG remake with charming Disney characters.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    You'll learn a lot about strategy when playing the game. Kids may be able to take this knowledge, which requires being economical and not using things all at once, into other areas of life.
  • Messages:

    Everyone works together in a group to move the story toward its completion. Some characters are on the dark side, but they're never creepy.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    It's fantasy violence so you won't see blood. You can use magic or a sword to defeat your enemies, but even the blade that's used doesn't look like a sword. It looks like an old-fashioned skeleton key. Defeated enemies disappear in a cloud of smoke.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    This game is part of a series of Kingdom Hearts video games which promote many branded Disney characters (including Donald and Goofy), as well characters from the Final Fantasy series of video games.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories was written by Harold Goldberg

Parents need to know that while there is constant fighting, it's of the cartoon variety. There's never any blood, just action. While the game is full of classic Disney characters, the story is can be dark. Goofy and Donald seem more like maturing teens than kiddie characters. The game also features characters from the Final Fantasy series of video games.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about what it would be like to live with Disney characters who could cast spells. What spell would you cast to help protect your family? Knowing the more mature personalities of the Disney characters in Chain of Memories, which one would you choose to be and why? Or would you rather be one of the Final Fantasy characters featured in the game? Why?
Did this review help you decide?
Do you play it? Review It!

More on Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories

What’s the Story?

Kingdom Hearts series of games is a strange one that combines Square-Enix's crew of Final Fantasy characters with many of Disney's most well known cartoon personalities, everyone from Donald Duck to Simba from The Lion King. In KINGDOM HEARTS RE: CHAIN OF MEMORIES, this remake of a Gameboy Advance offering sees young warrior Sora exploring a large and mysterious castle where friendship can be regained and memories just may not be what they seem. Joining Sora for this role-playing journey are Goofy, Donald, and Jiminy Cricket.

You'll spend the better part of an hour learning how to play Chains of Memories. Running, dodging, and jumping are simple touches of the controller. But you'll collect cards with various powers along the way, too. Wielding the proper cards in the magical deck that allows you to win in battle takes serious strategy. You can cheat this a bit to regain your card powers by pressing up on the D-pad and the 'X' button at the same time. As the story unfolds with pretty video cutscenes, you'll battle bosses and discover places in which to save your game.

Close

Is It Any Good?

If you don't think a PlayStation 2 remake of a Gameboy Advance game is worth your time, think again. Not only is there charm to this story, there are so many characters that the twists and turns never seem to end. While the graphics still have some jaggies, they have been redone to the extent that you'll never think this once was a handheld game for an outdated Nintendo system.

Yet there are challenges for the player. Many of the minor battles done in an effort to level up your character are repetitive and, therefore, border on being boring. (The boss battles, however, are generally compelling.) Although voiceover work is done by actors Haley Joel Osmont and David Gallagher, there's not enough of it. Most of the time, you'll be reading lines of text and seeing characters silently mime words. In this day and age, that's fine for a handheld game. But it's lazy and inexcusable for a console game, even when it's a last generation model like the PS2. Still, the joy of exploring various lands, especially the Nightmare Before Christmas environment, can't be denied. Whatever the flaws, you just keep coming back for more.

Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 12/2/2008, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Fanasy Violence)

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories?
  •  I think this game is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    IT is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue

    Not the best Kingdom Hearts game, but nothing of concern.

    This game is key to understanding the story line, but the battle system is difficult and annoying. Me and my family are Jehovah's Witnesses so we're very cautious about video games and we have found nothing of concern. I can tell you one thing, your child will ether learn patience... Or smash their controller against the TV. It might just be best to watch a walkthrough on youtube if you want to understand the story.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 1.0

    THANK GOODNESS IT CAME TO AMERICA!

    This game is like the bridge between the 1st and 2nd games, it tells what happened and answers some questions such as "Why is Sora in the egg thing in KH2?" and "Where's the other half of the Organization?". It also has a difficult battle system. I love it!

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 2.0

    Horrible battle system ruins game

    Only Die Hard fans who dont' have gameyboys least ways want those graphics might want to play this game just for the story between kingdom hearts and kingdom hearts 2.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Must See TV

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Zany adventures are low on depth but high on imagination.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Game of the Week

    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name