It did not take long for the discussions surrounding Kingdom Hearts to make a return once Kingdom Hearts 4 was revealed to be in development. One of the series’ trademark traits is the odd crossover between Square Enix’s works, mostly from Final Fantasy, and Disney media. Although this concept is easy to mock, the series found a way to not only make the crossover charming, but work in its own way despite the tonal differences. Although plenty of Disney movies have gotten representation, the most important Disney elements in Kingdom Hearts seem to derive from the classic shorts, with characters from the “Mickey Mouse Gang”, namely Goofy and Donald Duck, being regularly playable alongside the protagonist, Sora.
Other characters from the shorts have also become more prominent as the series evolved. Mickey Mouse, referred to as “King Mickey” in-universe, and the chipmunks Chip and Dale, all have important roles. Kingdom Hearts 4 will obviously include references to the cast that put Disney on the radar in the first place, but it will likely primarily focus on Donald and Goofy, give Mickey something notable to do, and give minor roles to other classic Disney characters. In addition to these characters, the game should finally introduce Max Goof to its strange and complicated universe.
Extended Disney Families and Today
Aside from their impact on animation, American culture, and pop culture as a whole, the classic Disney stars are also known for their extended families. This is especially the case with Donald Duck, whose entire lineage is the subject of countless comics, and his famous uncle and nephews are just barely less famous than him and the other “core” Disney characters. While perpetually single, unlike Mickey and Donald, Goofy is the only classic Disney character with actual offspring: his son Max.
Max and Goofy’s relationship is mostly remembered for its depiction in the cult classic A Goofy Movie. Surprisingly, Max has never appeared in a Kingdom Hearts game, although the developers could easily make some room for him. Considering how Kingdom Hearts usually treats characters from the “Mickey Mouse Gang” and their associates, Max is unlikely to have a big role if he were to be in Kingdom Hearts. He would probably be limited to a single area or side quest. Indeed, his prominence would likely be on par with Donald’s relatives, which is fitting considering his main role is being Goofy’s son. However, there is still potential for Max to have a bigger role.
Kingdom Hearts 2 had two semi-original worlds based on the classic Disney shorts, but the Kingdom Hearts series has never represented Disney’s own TV shows, and Kingdom Hearts 4 continuing the tradition would not be surprising. Despite this, a world based on A Goofy Movie or even Goof Troop would be a perfect way to introduce Max to the series, in addition of representing a now “retro” Disney era after Kingdom Hearts 3 focused on mostly modern movies. A Goofy Movie or Goof Troop world could work because Max, while related to Goofy, was not properly introduced in the classic shorts, aside from a “Goofy Junior” character, nor was he part of the nearly equally important comics like Scrooge.
Kingdom Hearts rarely puts characters out of their comfort zone unless it is necessary to do so. While Goofy’s son has been a character since the 50s, Max Goof as he is known today was only introduced in the 1990s. Seeing him without the world of Goof Troop would be as weird as seeing Alice as a Disney “princess” in the original Kingdom Hearts. Very little is known about the Disney worlds in Kingdom Hearts 4 aside from the revelation that they have been picked. Max Goof is one of the few major characters associated with the classic shorts to not appear in the series. If Kingdom Hearts 4 finally gives Max an opportunity to shine, it should put him where he is at his best by building a world around his backstory and relationship with Goofy.
Kingdom Hearts 4 is currently in development.