Kingdom Hearts Refixed Steam Deck

Caroline Mae

2 min read

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06-01-2025

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The Steam Deck's arrival marked a significant shift in handheld gaming. Its power and portability make it a compelling alternative to traditional consoles, but its true potential lies in how well it handles a diverse library. One series that’s always been a question mark on portable platforms is Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts. With the recent release of the Kingdom Hearts collection, we finally have a definitive answer: how well does the Kingdom Hearts collection perform on the Steam Deck?

A Surprisingly Smooth Experience

Let's be upfront: expecting flawless performance across all Kingdom Hearts titles on the Steam Deck would be unrealistic. The series spans multiple generations of gaming technology, and some titles are simply more demanding than others. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience.

The Good:

• Most Titles Run Well: The majority of the Kingdom Hearts games included in the collection run surprisingly smoothly on the Steam Deck at reasonable settings. I was able to enjoy a stable framerate in most titles, even with some graphical settings turned up.
• Portable Nostalgia: The ability to play these beloved games on the go is a major win. The Steam Deck's portability makes revisiting (or experiencing for the first time) the magical worlds of Kingdom Hearts a truly enjoyable experience.
• Customization Options: The Steam Deck's settings allow for fine-tuning of performance. You can adjust graphical settings, resolution, and even frame rate targets to find the optimal balance between visual fidelity and smoothness.

The Not-So-Good:

• Performance Variability: While most games run adequately, some titles, particularly the older entries, experience occasional frame rate dips. These dips are usually brief, but they are noticeable.
• Certain Titles Need Optimization: Some titles exhibit more frequent performance issues than others. This likely stems from the different game engines used across the collection.
• Heat Management: Extended gameplay sessions can lead to some heat buildup in the Steam Deck. This isn't unique to Kingdom Hearts, but it's something to be mindful of.

Verdict: A Recommended Portable Experience

Despite a few minor performance hiccups, the Kingdom Hearts collection on the Steam Deck delivers a largely positive experience. The ability to play these classic titles on the go outweighs the occasional performance issue, making it a highly recommended way to experience the world of Sora and his friends. If you’re a fan of the series and own a Steam Deck, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up this collection. Just be prepared to tweak the settings to find what works best for your device.