In this game you have a choice to play single player or both local/online multiplayer mode. This game's local multiplayer mode requires 3D TV's dual play technology.

[Game menu: New Game, Load Game, Extras, Theater]

[New Game: Single Player, Co-op player, Multi-player (Online)]

[{For this sake} Co-op player: 2, 3, 4]

[{For this sake X number}
Difficulty:

Beginner {What it lacks in challenge, a breeze it will be to complete. Your stats will be stunted and rewards are scarce. Extras are impossible to unlock.}

Standard {This is for veteran players that want to play and prepare for the game's full potential. Stat growth is less restricted, but the rewards are not as great. Extras are hard to unlock.}

Proud {This is for hard-core fans and experts alike with enemies that deal harsh damage. Rewards are rewarding. Extras are easier to unlock.}

Critical Mode {This is how the game is meant to be played with worthy enemies that will deal more damage putting you on the edge of your seat. You are granted Boss capabilities, but more of your enemies are capable of healing and learning. Stats are the fullest potential and rewards are astounding. Extras are a breeze to unlock.}]

[{For this sake Critical} Vibration Feature: On/Off ]

[ Do you agree to these settings? Once you accept, there is no changing back except for your # of players.]

Stories have been told from the beginning of time glorifying the light. The light brought joy, love, and peace to one and all. A blessed gift from above shined in the hearts and souls of everyone. Yet when there is light, a shadow is cast from where the light can not reach. This darkness is eternal and has coexisted with the light in a delicate balance, but an evil spawned from the shadows of the darkness. This evil clouded and tainted people's hearts. Those who gave into this darkness lost their empathy and compassion. As a consequence, they became heartless towards others. They began to physically manifest into the shapes of the darkness within their hearts.

The battle between light and darkness began. The distinct darkness, unlike the other forms, was jealous of the light and sought to extinguish it under the guise of a greedy-jealous love. It wanted to devour the light. Peace was shattered after the mega key, the Χ-blade, was desired to be forged in order to alter the balance of the one world. An ultimate world war raged over the possession of the X-blade. Not even the 5 union foretellers were able to prevent this because one of them was a traitor that has sparked the war. Some people sought to control it, some fought to defend it, some sought to appease the warring factions, and some fought for chaos. Tragically, the world was swallowed by the darkness and the X-blade was shattered into pieces.

Amongst all this strife, the light still radiated through, even in its diminished state. The light grew from the hearts of innocents, for they still remembered the true purpose of the light. In order to begin anew from the destruction, the one world divided itself into smaller isolated pieces. The pieces scattered amongst the galaxies of space. They built up barriers to keep out incoming darkness and prevent history from repeating itself. The worlds now remain separated from the first cataclysm. In their core, the worlds still remembered when the had been united. They still shared a connection.

A connection is said to have taken form as a kingdom of hearts known as Kingdom Hearts. Kingdom Hearts locked itself behind a door. This door can only be unlocked by the X-blade or the kingdom keys of light and dark. Though the worlds are separated, they all share the same sky, same light, same darkness, but different hearts.

Light to light, darkness to darkness, and hearts to hearts. The power of the Heart is the key to questions of the deep. Because hearts carry life and emotions, they are the source of who we are. It is the essence of what stores our true nature and abilities. Unfortunately, some fail to see that; they consequently lose their sacred heart. We, who lose our hearts, become devoid of emotions and the identity of who we once were. We surrender to the darkness; darkness is what we embody and inevitably embrace. We become heartless. However, what if we are not all lost to the darkness? What if there is a part of us that still lingers on similar to the diminished light from legends?

A remnant of us refuses to give up. A strong will carries us on. A young innovative man by the name of "Ansem" theorized this possibility when he studied the heartless in his reports. A self that retains its free will and state of existence. His hypothesis was proven true. We continue to exist, but at the cost of our precious hearts… Now, how can we decide what to do without hearts? What governs the choices we make, if not our hearts? Is it our nature, our memories of who we were, or something else? Does a heart have a substitute, or are we slaves to our chain of memories? All these questions have been filling my head.

We are not denizens of the light or the dark. Outcasts are what we are. Never meant to exist is what we are accused of; yet, we still exist. We walk the line between. We do not mean to remain. To be complete again, is our noble quest. We are not what we once were. Nor are we the inferior dark's minions, yet we are still marked by the stench of the darkness. We are no thing and not one person but a reminder of our former selves. We are NOBODIES! The remnants of what darkness could not swallow. We believe this is a second chance to return to our previous life. We strive to return to our complete selves. That is what our end goal is, but at what cost?

We are a paradox. We are heartless and yet we are sentient. We are feared by the fortunate, but hated by the eternal darkness. A haven was created for those of us afflicted with this condition; a world we felt safe. Technically, a world that never was a world. A World that Never Was… Our home is protected by an organization of nobodies like us, known as the Organization. These pioneers' goal is protect us from the heartless and restore our hearts. It is my time to help!

I want to know, I want to learn, and I want to grow! Why have I been blessed with this second chance or cursed to exist in this state? How can I join the Organization? How can I leave this city? They are searching for a 13th member, a special nobody. If I join. I will get all my answers right? I want to help this crusade. I want to know why we exist. I have to be a part of something greater! That is my purpose. This journey I will embark on; I want it to be memorable. In order to restore our hearts and become whole, I will do what it takes for my friends and me…"

Thoughts of a Nobody.

Author's note: "Ansem" refers to Terra-Xehanort. The name Ansem is used because that is whom the main protagonist thinks is responsible for said research of the Heartless and Nobodies in KH1.