The Kingdom Hearts series is defined by its unexpected pairings of characters. From the onset, the Kingdom Hearts series not only allowed fans to see classic Final Fantasy characters appear alongside Disney icons, but also gave them the chance to mix and match from its unusual blended roster in order to form a party.
Since the powers and abilities of the characters are as varied as the sources they're drawn from, Kingdom Hearts companions run the gamut from absolutely indispensable to downright liabilities. However, whether they appear as recurring party members or simply join Sora for a single battle, the companions in Kingdom Hearts each bring a unique set of skills to the table, which leave fans hoping that most of them make a reappearance in Kingdom Hearts 4.
S-tier
- Donald Duck: His actions in Kingdom Hearts 3 cemented Donald as one of the most powerful mages in Square Enix history, when he cast Zettaflare—a feat only accomplished by the likes of Bahamut and other powerful characters. In terms of gameplay, though, Donald is integral in the first game due to his ability to use Curaga, and he is a powerful choice in subsequent games for similar reasons.
- Beast: While he's not a consistent option like Donald, Beast is absolutely overpowered when he does appear. Though he truly shines in the original Kingdom Hearts, Beast acts as a useful companion during the difficult boss fight against Xaldin in Kingdom Hearts 2 as well.
- Riku: Riku's roots as a villain make him an unexpected party addition in Kingdom Hearts 2, but his skills come as no surprise. He's basically as broken as Beast, so any section with Riku feels like a total breeze.
- Roxas: It's a bit iffy if Roxas even counts as a companion, as he only appears playable for a single battle during Kingdom Hearts 3, but his skills are undeniable. The fight against Saix plays out more like a cutscene than an actual battle, with any player effort being mostly unnecessary.
- Goofy: Like Donald, Goofy has been there from the beginning. Unfortunately, his defensive-minded skills and kit put him just a rung below his fellow Disney chum, but still firmly in S-tier because of his undeniable usefulness in the original Kingdom Hearts.
A-tier
- Ariel: Though she only appears in Atlantica, one of the most maligned levels in Kingdom Hearts, Ariel's use of Aero and other spells makes her a powerful ally. If not for Ariel, one of the most difficult levels in Kingdom Hearts would be even more unforgivable.
- Marshmallow: This hulking, brutish snowman is arguably the tankiest companion in Kingdom Hearts. His offensive capabilities are lacking, but he is virtually unkillable during his sections of the game.
- Hercules: With a live-action Hercules movie on the horizon, the demigod may be due for a return in Kingdom Hearts 4, and with his ridiculous kit and abilities in earlier Kingdom Hearts games, fans should certainly hope so.
- Auron: Auron's abilities in Final Fantasy 10 translate well to Kingdom Hearts, and it's primarily what makes him so useful. He may be a bit of a glass cannon, but his overwhelming attacks seem to deter enemies from landing attacks on him.
- Baymax: Like Marshmallow, Baymax is a useful tank but with a helpful heal to boot.
- Rapunzel and Flynn Rider: As with any strong companion, Rapunzel focuses mostly on ranged attacks with her hair. Her combinations with Flynn outshine anything offered by other companion pairings in Kingdom Hearts 3.
B-tier
- Aladdin: A poor man's Auron. He boasts a relentlessly attacking style and a decent kit to boot, but his defense leaves much to be desired. Still, Aladdin is more than capable of getting the job done during sections in Agrabah.
- Mulan: While her own fan-favorite Disney sidekick, Mushu, appears as a useful summon, Mulan is more or less a middling-level character in Kingdom Hearts. Like Aladdin, Auron, and the like, Mulan is an offense-first companion with little ability to defend or heal.
- Tarzan: Tarzan dominates the Deep Jungle level with ease due to his strong kit, but it's an early game area that never offers much difficulty anyway.
- Jack Skellington: Although he's a perpetual fan favorite as one of Tim Burton's most iconic characters, Jack Skellington falls to the B-tier for his lackluster kit in the original Kingdom Hearts.
- Simba: It's more or less a coin toss whether Simba is B or C-tier. He's the definition of a mediocre character. Sure, he performs well enough in his section, but he doesn't hold up to other characters of his ilk.
- Mike Wazowski and Sully: Sully carries this duo into the B-tier. He behaves more or less like a toned-down version of Beast from the first two games, bowling over enemies and absorbing tons of damage.
C-tier
- Captain Jack Sparrow: Despite his finesse in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Jack Sparrow doesn't live up to his reputation in Kingdom Hearts. If Aladdin was a poor man's Auron, then Jack is a poor man's Aladdin.
- Woody and Buzz Lightyear: They have a single attack that is fairly powerful, but their kit otherwise is oddly uninventive. For the most part, Woody and Buzz tend to simply run at the enemies and dish out a basic attack.
- Tron: A fairly useless companion that deals damage from afar. The only saving grace for Tron is that his ability Complete Compilement summons drones that deal a ton of damage, but he's otherwise more of a liability than an asset.
D-tier
- Peter Pan: He sits as the lone entry in the D-tier for his ridiculously bad range. His attacks do minuscule damage, and his short range and bad animations mean that his attacks never land.
Kingdom Hearts 4 is in development.