Official announcement from the Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link development team.
Square Enix has officially cancelled Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, a highly anticipated mobile game in the beloved Kingdom Hearts series. The announcement, made on May 14, 2025, has left fans disappointed but hopeful as the company reaffirms its commitment to Kingdom Hearts IV. Here’s everything you need to know about the cancellation, its impact on the series, and what lies ahead for Kingdom Hearts fans
The Journey of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link
Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link was first announced at the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event on April 10, 2022, alongside Kingdom Hearts IV. Positioned as a live-service mobile game, it aimed to bridge the gap between mainline entries in the series, offering fans a new adventure in the Kingdom Hearts universe. Development began in January 2019, initially as an R&D project for Kingdom Hearts III, with a modified build of the latter serving as its foundation.
The game underwent two closed beta tests, one in January 2023 for iOS devices in Japan, and another in November 2023 for iOS users in Japan, the UK, and Australia, with Android testing delayed to Spring 2024. Despite these efforts, the development team faced challenges in delivering a sustainable long-term service, leading to the difficult decision to cancel the project.
Square Enix Cancels Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link
On May 14, 2025, the official Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link X account (@KHMLink_NA) shared a heartfelt announcement:
“We have made the decision to cancel the development of KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link. We wish to convey our heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been looking forward to the start of service. Although we worked hard on developing and adjusting the game in the hope that it would be enjoyed by lots of players, we determined that it would be difficult for us to offer a service that players would find satisfactory over a long period of time, leading us to the decision to cancel development.”
The team expressed gratitude to fans who participated in the closed beta tests and apologized for the disappointing news. They also assured fans that the Kingdom Hearts series will continue, with Kingdom Hearts IV currently in active development.
What This Means for Kingdom Hearts Fans
The cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link marks a significant moment for the franchise, which has shipped over 36 million copies worldwide as of March 2022. Fans had high hopes for the mobile game, especially given the long gaps between mainline entries—Kingdom Hearts III, released in 2019, turned six in 2025. The game’s cancellation underscores the challenges of delivering a live-service mobile title that meets both fan expectations and long-term operational demands.
However, there’s a silver lining: Square Enix remains committed to the Kingdom Hearts series. The announcement emphasized that Kingdom Hearts IV, revealed in 2022, is still in development. Set in the realistic, Tokyo-inspired world of Quadratum, the upcoming title will feature the return of Sora, Donald, and Goofy, with series director Tetsuya Nomura hinting at the involvement of Yozora in a “surprising” way.
A Bittersweet Moment for Kingdom Hearts Fans
The cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link is undoubtedly disappointing for fans who were eager to explore a new chapter in the Kingdom Hearts universe. However, Square Enix’s transparency and dedication to the series’ future provide a glimmer of hope. With Kingdom Hearts IV on the horizon, fans are encouraged to “keep an eye out for further updates,” as the development team continues to work on the next big adventure.
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For now, the Kingdom Hearts community will mourn the loss of Missing-Link but look forward to what’s next. As the series approaches its 25th anniversary in 2027, there’s no doubt that Square Enix and Disney will continue to deliver magical experiences for fans worldwide.