I wanted to talk about my own theories for the much hyped “Kingdom Hears HD 2.5 ReMix” that was teased in the end credits of 1.5 ReMix. Now as we know, the teaser footage showed footage of KH2 and Birth By Sleep, but we should expect there could be more than that added to the HD pack. I say “could” as in this is a mere observation to the “what if’s” of a possible 2nd HD collection.
I’ll say now that I’m not a technical expert, nor do I have any inclination of what Square Enix is presently doing, I’m only providing a rough estimation of the possibility of what could be included in such a collection if they are working on it and working on the assumption that a few treats may be in store for us.
Firstly, let’s look back at 1.5 ReMix:
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When we examine the data files of the disc and compare them to the original releases, we get some interesting numbers that possible show how much work was performed on these games.
Kingdom Hearts - Final Mix:
PS2 Game Size: 2.4GB
PS3 Game Size: 4.5GB
It’s safe to say here that the game went through a slight optimisation to get it going on the PS3. Some code tweaks, model enhancements, texture upgrades and so on. Surprisingly, the CG movies take up a lot of space. The game itself weighs in at only 2.06GB but the movies are about 2.5GB. Give or take.
Kingdom Hearts – Re:Chain of Memories:
PS2 Game Size: 3.0GB
PS3 Game Size: 7.5GB
Okay, I don’t know what they did to blow the data up so much. As far as I can tell, there are 2 files which contain the game data on the disc. On is 5.6GB and the other is 1.5GB. The other 0.9GB is movie files. I personally have no idea why it needed so much data, considering Re:CoM is the weaker of the ports. I’m going out on a limb and assuming that it was another team that handled the port and they did it their own way.
Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days Cutscene Theatre:
DS: 256MB
PS3: 4.7GB
Needless to say that this was a better port and they worked very well on the visuals and sound. I don’t need to say much more on this, but considering the emphasis on visual flair over gameplay, plus the fact more original scenes were added (and the 2.5hr length of the movie) it makes sense.
All in all, what I’ve stated (plus a few system and data files), it tally’s up at around 18.10GB. Not bad if I may say so.
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Now, let’s move onto the rumoured 2.5 ReMix.
Kingdom Hearts 2 – Final Mix:
PS2 Size: 4.03GB
Estimated PS3 Size: 7.9GB
Kingdom Hearts 2 contained some remastered textures in its release, giving Roxas a more defined head of hair and jacket without impacting performance of the game. Kudos to Square on pulling that off! I can see a Remaster of this game tweaking the textures a little more, music, lighting and the coding for this game. I assume it will balance out around 7.9 or 8GB after development.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep – Final Mix:
PSP Size -1.56GB
Estimated PS3 Size – 4.3GB
BBS will need quite a bit more work to get running on the PS3 in my own opinion. Not only will a lot of the textures have to be redone, but some sound work will also need to be done to get the music and voice-work up to scratch, depending if SE wants to go that distance. I can see some lighting work and a New UI going in there as well. Regarding Mirage Arena, I’m just gonna say that they will bonk that on the PS3 as well. Either neutered to a Single Player or Local Multiplayer experience or working flawlessly over PSN. Still, that would be a lot of work for them, and I’d assume (to get the game out for an estimated March release) they would go for a neutering.
Kingdom Hearts – Re:Coded Cutscene Theater:
DS Size: 256MB
Estimated PS3 Size: 2.8GB
If they don’t throw this into the remaster in some form, the fanboy’s will be moaning about it for years. True, Re:Coded wasn’t the best title in the series, but a 30min OVA recap would be more than adequate. A little bit shorter than 358’s recap but still effective none-the-less.
Now, here is one that is a huge “if”.
Kingdom Hearts 3D : Dream Drop Distance:
3DS Size: 1.7GB
Estimated PS3 Size: 4.8GB
A huge if right now, but given the fact that Capcom successfully ported Resident Evil Revelations to the PS3, I won’t say no to the possibility of the game appearing in some from on the PS3. Besides, by March next year it will have been 2 years since the game appeared on the 3DS, and elements from KH3D were used in the making of the KH1 remaster. It’s obvious they may be toying with it behind the scenes, but we will see in due course.
For a PS3 remaster, it would need a new UI, some control tweaks and integration of the game’s dual screen functions on PS3 and the potential use of 3D. Again, sorry for the comparison, but Resident Evil Revelations managed this quite well and it did not interrupt the flow of gameplay on the console versions.
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Overall, given my estimates, 2.5 ReMix with all those features plus extra data would weigh in at about 21-22GB. It would all fit on a single-layer Blu-ray and it is very possible for 3D to see release on the PS3. I have no idea how much work would have to be done on any of these games, but space-wise it’s very possible for them to pull it off.
Square-Enix, it’s all down to you now!
I’ll say now that I’m not a technical expert, nor do I have any inclination of what Square Enix is presently doing, I’m only providing a rough estimation of the possibility of what could be included in such a collection if they are working on it and working on the assumption that a few treats may be in store for us.
Firstly, let’s look back at 1.5 ReMix:
-------------------------------------
When we examine the data files of the disc and compare them to the original releases, we get some interesting numbers that possible show how much work was performed on these games.
Kingdom Hearts - Final Mix:
PS2 Game Size: 2.4GB
PS3 Game Size: 4.5GB
It’s safe to say here that the game went through a slight optimisation to get it going on the PS3. Some code tweaks, model enhancements, texture upgrades and so on. Surprisingly, the CG movies take up a lot of space. The game itself weighs in at only 2.06GB but the movies are about 2.5GB. Give or take.
Kingdom Hearts – Re:Chain of Memories:
PS2 Game Size: 3.0GB
PS3 Game Size: 7.5GB
Okay, I don’t know what they did to blow the data up so much. As far as I can tell, there are 2 files which contain the game data on the disc. On is 5.6GB and the other is 1.5GB. The other 0.9GB is movie files. I personally have no idea why it needed so much data, considering Re:CoM is the weaker of the ports. I’m going out on a limb and assuming that it was another team that handled the port and they did it their own way.
Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days Cutscene Theatre:
DS: 256MB
PS3: 4.7GB
Needless to say that this was a better port and they worked very well on the visuals and sound. I don’t need to say much more on this, but considering the emphasis on visual flair over gameplay, plus the fact more original scenes were added (and the 2.5hr length of the movie) it makes sense.
All in all, what I’ve stated (plus a few system and data files), it tally’s up at around 18.10GB. Not bad if I may say so.
-------------------------------------
Now, let’s move onto the rumoured 2.5 ReMix.
Kingdom Hearts 2 – Final Mix:
PS2 Size: 4.03GB
Estimated PS3 Size: 7.9GB
Kingdom Hearts 2 contained some remastered textures in its release, giving Roxas a more defined head of hair and jacket without impacting performance of the game. Kudos to Square on pulling that off! I can see a Remaster of this game tweaking the textures a little more, music, lighting and the coding for this game. I assume it will balance out around 7.9 or 8GB after development.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep – Final Mix:
PSP Size -1.56GB
Estimated PS3 Size – 4.3GB
BBS will need quite a bit more work to get running on the PS3 in my own opinion. Not only will a lot of the textures have to be redone, but some sound work will also need to be done to get the music and voice-work up to scratch, depending if SE wants to go that distance. I can see some lighting work and a New UI going in there as well. Regarding Mirage Arena, I’m just gonna say that they will bonk that on the PS3 as well. Either neutered to a Single Player or Local Multiplayer experience or working flawlessly over PSN. Still, that would be a lot of work for them, and I’d assume (to get the game out for an estimated March release) they would go for a neutering.
Kingdom Hearts – Re:Coded Cutscene Theater:
DS Size: 256MB
Estimated PS3 Size: 2.8GB
If they don’t throw this into the remaster in some form, the fanboy’s will be moaning about it for years. True, Re:Coded wasn’t the best title in the series, but a 30min OVA recap would be more than adequate. A little bit shorter than 358’s recap but still effective none-the-less.
Now, here is one that is a huge “if”.
Kingdom Hearts 3D : Dream Drop Distance:
3DS Size: 1.7GB
Estimated PS3 Size: 4.8GB
A huge if right now, but given the fact that Capcom successfully ported Resident Evil Revelations to the PS3, I won’t say no to the possibility of the game appearing in some from on the PS3. Besides, by March next year it will have been 2 years since the game appeared on the 3DS, and elements from KH3D were used in the making of the KH1 remaster. It’s obvious they may be toying with it behind the scenes, but we will see in due course.
For a PS3 remaster, it would need a new UI, some control tweaks and integration of the game’s dual screen functions on PS3 and the potential use of 3D. Again, sorry for the comparison, but Resident Evil Revelations managed this quite well and it did not interrupt the flow of gameplay on the console versions.
-------------------------------------
Overall, given my estimates, 2.5 ReMix with all those features plus extra data would weigh in at about 21-22GB. It would all fit on a single-layer Blu-ray and it is very possible for 3D to see release on the PS3. I have no idea how much work would have to be done on any of these games, but space-wise it’s very possible for them to pull it off.
Square-Enix, it’s all down to you now!