When Kingdom Hearts first debuted in 2002, the idea of a crossover between Disney’s whimsical worlds and Square Enix’s brooding, JRPG aesthetics seemed almost absurd. Yet over 20 years later, Kingdom Hearts has become a beloved and iconic franchise, spawning thirteen games, multiple manga adaptations, a trove of collectibles, and a deeply loyal fanbase.

As its influence grew, other game developers (many fans of the series themselves) began to take notice. Over time, they started slipping Kingdom Hearts Easter eggs and subtle references into their own titles, a quiet homage to a series that defied expectations and redefined crossover storytelling in gaming.

Final Fantasy 15 is the ultimate fantasy road trip, following Noctis, Ignis, Prompto, and Gladio as they travel across the kingdom of Eos. Their mission? To fulfill the prophecy of the Chosen King and restore light to the world. Along the way, the Chocobros explore every hidden cave, abandoned ruin, and scenic detour they can find—sometimes stumbling upon more than they bargained for.

One such discovery lies at the bottom of the Greyshire Glacial Grotto: a mysterious, sealed door that resists all attempts to open it. When the group encounters it, Prompto quips that it'd be nice to have a "magical key that can unlock any door... like from the video games!"

Phantasy Star Online 2 launched in 2012 as a modernized sequel to the original Phantasy Star Online, preserving the charm of the classic while introducing significant quality-of-life improvements. Unlike many of today’s MMORPGs, it allowed players to enjoy both online and offline modes, offering flexible gameplay. In online mode, players could gather in lively lobby chatrooms to socialize, strategize, and form parties before diving into missions together.

As players progressed, they could unlock an impressive variety of weapons, armor, and cosmetic items to personalize their characters. One such item is the Cursed Coat, available in two variations: hood up or hood down. The sleek, flowing design is an unmistakable homage to the iconic black coats worn by Organization XIII in Kingdom Hearts. However, unlike the Organization, which strictly stuck to black, Phantasy Star Online 2 gives players a splash of variety, allowing the coat to be worn in black, red, white, or blue, bringing a bit more style to the darkness.

The Simpsons is one of television’s most beloved and longest-running animated sitcoms, famous for its clever Easter eggs, pop culture references, and star-studded guest appearances. That same playful spirit carried over into The Simpsons Game, a 2007 platformer that lets players control each member of the Simpson family across a variety of zany levels and challenges.

In Stage 14: Big Super Happy Fun Fun, observant players can spot a clever nod to Kingdom Hearts. Just before entering a gate flanked by statues of Santa’s Little Helper, look closely: the dog is holding a Kingdom Key, the very first Keyblade Sora wields in the Kingdom Hearts series.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the latest entry in the beloved third-person shooter platformer series. Staying true to its roots, the game features an impressive arsenal of over-the-top weapons, diverse stages, and plenty of power-ups and customization options. One of the collectible items, Gold Bolts, can be found throughout the game and used to unlock a variety of rewards, including concept art, music tracks, visual filters, and more.

After collecting 12 Gold Bolts, players unlock the Wrench Swap Pack 1, which allows Ratchet’s iconic wrench to be reskinned into several unique forms. One of those forms? A large, ornate key. While it’s never explicitly called a Keyblade, the resemblance is unmistakable.

Terraria is an action-adventure sandbox game that drops players into a sprawling 2D world full of crafting, farming, mining, and monster-slaying possibilities. With charming pixel art and deep gameplay systems, the game offers a huge variety of tools and weapons to discover, including one that might look suspiciously familiar to fans of Kingdom Hearts.

Enter the Keybrand, a rare Hardcode sword that boasts impressive stats and a sparkling visual effect when striking enemies, an unmistakable nod to another iconic key-shaped weapon. Despite not being officially labeled as a Keyblade, the inspiration is clear.

The Keybrand has a 0.5 percent chance of dropping from Blue Armored Bones, Hell Armored Bones, and Rusty Armored Bones in the post-Plantera Dungeon. Impatient players can try their luck with the Traveling Merchant, who occasionally sells a version of the Keybrand. Just be aware: this version comes with a significantly reduced 15 base damage, so it’s more for collectors than hardcore combat.

Terrorbane is a quirky adventure that flips the traditional fantasy story on its head. With constant, cheeky commentary from the in-game Developer, your mission is to exploit the game’s bugs to your advantage as you navigate its chaotic world.

One of the game’s most memorable characters is Dana the Blacksmith, a no-nonsense artisan who’s clearly seen more than her fair share of adventurers. Her workshop is a treasure trove of gaming Easter eggs, offering a visual feast for fans of the genre. Among her impressive display of iconic weapons, one immediately stands out to Kingdom Hearts fans: a replica of Sora’s legendary Keyblade. Nestled among other famous armaments, the Keyblade isn’t just a fun reference, it’s a testament to tERRORbane’s deep love for gaming culture.

Like any great fighting game, Skullgirls boasts a vibrant roster of characters, each with distinct abilities, styles, and personalities. Many of these fighters even have multiple variants, offering players more ways to customize their gameplay. One standout is Marie, whose Heartless variant carries a direct nod to Kingdom Hearts. Her tagline? A chilling echo of one of Ansem’s most iconic lines: “In the end, every heart returns to the darkness!”

The name Heartless directly calls back to the shadowy creatures that serve as the primary antagonists in Kingdom Hearts, monsters born from the darkness in people’s hearts. It’s a fitting nod for Marie, whose gothic aesthetic, tragic backstory, and ghostly powers make the connection feel seamless.

Set in Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya shopping district, The World Ends With You follows Neku Sakuraba and a colorful cast of characters as they’re thrust into the Reapers’ Game, a deadly contest with life-or-death stakes. The game is packed with clever Easter eggs, including several nods to Kingdom Hearts.

One of the more recognizable references is Rhyme’s oversized shoes, which bear a striking resemblance to Sora’s iconic footwear. Another occurs in the title of Week Three, Day Two: Dearly Beloved, a direct reference to the Kingdom Hearts theme song. But one of the slyest nods shows up in Week One, Day Five, when the Deep Rivers Society interrogates the Wicked Twisters about a password. One of the possible answers? “Simple and clean,” a clear wink at the original Kingdom Hearts opening theme.

World of Warcraft (WoW) is a legendary massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that has been going strong for over 20 years. In that time, Blizzard has continuously expanded the game’s world with new zones, deeper lore, and epic story arcs. In 2018, the Battle for Azeroth expansion introduced several new regions, including the mystical, windswept Stormsong Valley in northern Kul Tiras.

While exploring the valley, players may stumble upon a trio of NPCs perched on the roof of a house just south of Fort Daelin. At first glance, they may seem like ordinary villagers, but fans of Kingdom Hearts will immediately recognize the homage. From their clothing and hairstyles to their relaxed postures, the trio is a clear nod to Sora, Riku, and Kairi. Even the island they reside on bears a striking resemblance to Destiny Islands.

Evoland 2 is a love letter to video games, packed with clever nods and references to classic titles from every genre... and Kingdom Hearts is no exception. During your journey, you’ll come across the twisting maze of Sylph Forest. If you’re persistent enough to find your way through, you’ll stumble upon a line of heroes waiting to consult the Oracle.

At the very end of that line? None other than Sora himself.

Strike up a conversation, and he’ll start singing Let It Go from Disney’s Frozen, before complaining that he just can’t get the song out of his head.