As 2025 rolls in, fans of Kingdom Hearts find themselves yearning for any news about Kingdom Hearts 4, which hasn’t seen much daylight since it was first revealed back in 2022. Meanwhile, Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link suffered a delay in November 2024, with its release date still up in the air. Many anticipate it’ll drop sometime in 2025, though nothing is set in stone yet. Delays and uncertainties are ,unfortunately, part and parcel of the Kingdom Hearts franchise, but fans are hopeful that Kingdom Hearts 4 won’t end up taking six long years to launch like its predecessor did. For now, 2025 stands as another hopeful year for the series to make its presence felt again, and its die-hard fanbase is ready for whatever comes next.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about Kingdom Hearts 4, but its vibrant community of fans is more than happy to bridge the gaps with plenty of speculation. The teaser trailer for KH4, coupled with the secret ending of KH3 and the closing scenes of Melody of Memory, has given them plenty to mull over. As per Kingdom Hearts tradition, unexpected twists and surprising cameos are almost guaranteed. Predicting which Disney worlds will feature in Kingdom Hearts 4 is a popular pastime, but an equally exciting question is figuring out who could join the cast as party members from these worlds.
### The Ideal Party Members for Kingdom Hearts 4
#### Donald and Goofy
Even as the series evolves, celebrating its roots remains key, and nothing embodies Kingdom Hearts nostalgia like the trio of Sora, Donald, and Goofy. Although Sora’s journey might keep him apart from them for most of Kingdom Hearts 4, a reunion towards the game’s climax would be a thrilling moment. As always, Goofy’s strength and resilience paired with Donald’s magical prowess—enhanced by the game’s hopefully improved party AI—are bound to make a comeback. Fans can rest assured that their adventures with Donald and Goofy aren’t over yet.
#### Strelitzia
Fans of the Kingdom Hearts Union Cross mobile game will recognize Strelitzia, who appears—or at least someone who looks remarkably like her—in the enigmatic Quadratum to greet Sora. Her role in Kingdom Hearts 4 remains a mystery, though her presence is expected to be clarified as the story unfolds. Should Strelitzia venture alongside Sora as a party member, it would be a joy for mobile game fans, even if many had hoped Kairi might snag such a significant spot.
#### Riku
Hints strongly suggest that Sora’s longtime friends will rejoin him before the series bids farewell, with Riku likely being one of the first. Having begun using the Power of Waking to track Sora, as revealed in Melody of Memory, Riku’s return to the surreal worlds in Kingdom Hearts 4 seems inevitable. Whether he appears as a special guest party member or a mid-game addition to the fresh roster, many fans are eager to see more of the dynamic duo in action.
#### Yozora
While Riku’s return is eagerly anticipated, Quadratum already houses another possible ally. Yozora was initially introduced as a joke in the Toy Story world of Kingdom Hearts 3, but his significance came to light in KH3’s secret ending and the ReMind DLC. Although Yozora may feature more prominently in a future Verum Rex spinoff, fans are eager to see if he might lend his formidable strengths to aid Sora’s journey. Regardless, Yozora’s mysterious nature begs for exploration.
#### Other Returning Keyblade Masters
Though Quadratum hasn’t been fully revealed, it’s the perfect stage for Kingdom Hearts’ broader cast of original characters to shine. Beloved groups like the Wayfinder trio from Birth By Sleep and the Sea Salt trio from 358/2 Days are poised to make a return. Characters like King Mickey and Kairi could also use more screen time, while lesser-seen Keyblade wielders such as Lauriam, Elrena, Ava, Skuld, and Luxord’s original form could become exciting additions. And who knows? Even a reborn Young Xehanort might surprise us.
#### Luke Skywalker
Of course, one of the most enticing mysteries is which Disney characters will join forces as exclusive allies in their respective worlds. Among the top contenders is Star Wars icon Luke Skywalker. Even though a Star Wars world hasn’t been confirmed for Kingdom Hearts 4, the potential for thrilling encounters with the young hero from the original trilogy makes for an irresistible prospect that the game may well embrace.
### New Disney and Square Enix Party Members
Naturally, new crossovers mean new opportunities for fresh Disney and perhaps even Square Enix party members in Kingdom Hearts 4. The series should prioritize venturing into uncharted franchise territories, opening the door for exciting possibilities like:
– Moana and Maui from Moana
– Héctor from Coco
– The Parr Family from The Incredibles
– Various Marvel heroes, particularly Spider-Man
– Jim Hawkins from Treasure Planet
– Any new Final Fantasy character, with FF15’s Noctis offering a humorous touch
– Sho Minamimoto from NEO: The World Ends With You
– Characters from Dragon Quest
Even if only a few of these prospective allies make the cut, Kingdom Hearts 4 could present some of the franchise’s most memorable team-ups yet.
