For the first time, multiple DISNEY characters and worlds co-exist in an interactive product. Over 100 DISNEY characters appear in the game, including Jafar and Aladdin from Disney's Aladdin, Clayton and Tarzan from Disney's Tarzan, Hades and Hercules from Hercules, The Queen of Hearts and Alice from Disney's Alice in Wonderland, and many others

Four new DISNEY characters designed by Tetsuya Nomura make their debut: Sora, Riku, Kairi and the Heartless

Classic DISNEY characters will appear in fresh new ways. These include new costumes and the characters' ability to morph into different forms as they take on characteristics of the diverse worlds they visit

DISNEY characters engage in action sequences using movements and behaviors true to their film personas — Peter Pan flies, Tarzan climbs and Ariel swims, among others

Integrated voiceovers including actual voices of DISNEY characters

Cameo appearances by FINAL FANTASY characters including Cloud from FINAL FANTASY VII, Selphie from FINAL FANTASY VIII, and Tidus and Wakka from FINAL FANTASY X along with other familiar SQUARE ENIX characters

Real-time battle system that incorporates new innovative elements with traditional RPG elements found in previous SQUARE ENIX titles

Theme song written and performed by Japanese pop artist/singer Utada Hikaru

KINGDOM HEARTS is the story of Sora, a 14-year-old boy whose world is shattered when a violent storm hits his island-paradise home, and is separated from his two closest friends, Riku, a 15-year-old boy, and Kairi, a 14-year-old girl. At the same time, theres turmoil in Disney castle. King Mickey is missing, and Court Wizard Donald and Captain Goofy set out to find him. On their travels they meet Sora, on his own search for his lost friends. The three are told of ominous creatures known as the Heartless- beings without hearts derived from an unknown dimension and, as it turns out, manipulated by Disney villains and the ones responsible for the devastating storm. Upon discovering the link between the Heartless, the storm and the disappearance of King Mickey, Sora, Donald and Goofy join forces and help familiar Disney heroes to save their worlds from the Heartless.