Press release:

 

Square Enix Announces Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] for North America and Europe

LOS ANGELES and LONDON (Dec. 20, 2011) – Square Enix, Inc. and Square Enix Ltd., the publishers of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, Europe and across PAL territories, today announced fans of the popular Kingdom Hearts series will be able to experience a new 3-D adventure next year with the North American and European release of Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance], specifically for the Nintendo 3DS™ system.

The new game’s spectacular story promises to be a fun backdrop to the colorful cast of Disney characters making their 3-D debut on a handheld title. In addition to new worlds, Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] will feature never-before-seen gameplay elements for the series.

“With the tenth anniversary of the series on the horizon, the current KINDGOM HEARTS saga is approaching its climactic conclusion. The story of this game will serve as the opening chapter of the final conflict, and, as always, will be full of surprises. In order to best implement this element of surprise and discover new realms of possibility, we have chosen Nintendo 3DS as our platform. With its revolutionary new game system, this title will not only be a bold, exhilarating tale of adventure, but also a first look into the future form of the Kingdom Hearts series,” said Tetsuya Nomura, director of Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance].

Story

King Mickey and Yen Sid prepare for an impending threat by putting Sora and Riku through the Mark of Mastery exam. Sora and Riku are sent into the Sleeping Worlds, where they will face enemies and allies that have never been seen before. If they can successfully complete the task they are given, they will be deemed true Keyblade Masters.

Features

Dual protagonists – Play as the two most popular characters of the franchise, Sora and Riku.

“Free-flow” action – Enjoy fast and effortless movements while interacting with the environment and performing acrobatic attacks.

Brand-new creatures – Dream Eaters inhabit the Sleeping Worlds, and are split into two categories: Spirits and Nightmares. Recruit over 50 different types of Spirits as allies to fight alongside Sora and Riku.

New Disney worlds – Beloved Disney worlds and characters, such as La Cité des Cloches (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), make their series debut.

Story progression – With updated looks for Sora and Riku, and the impending conflict made clear, this title is a big step forward in the series.

 

Square Enix UK uploaded the Jump Festa 2012 trailer, a little bit altered:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbXCyxEyhSE&feature=channel_video_title

 

It was rated PEGI 12

Umm.. thats not a release date lol Everyone already knows it comes out 2012.

Nice find!! Now just the release date, my god.

I got a Tweet for that at...9:17, and I was pissed then too because 2012 isn't a release date!!!!

 

Well, Days was released in May I think, and we got it in September that same year. We'll probably be seeing DDD around August or so.

Umm.. thats not a release date lol Everyone already knows it comes out 2012.

 

Yes, I know, there's nothing new in this, but at least all those speculations saying that it will release in early 2013 are now scrapped. Also, this confirms that we can get translated screenshots early than we expected, and why not? a video, but I highly doubt it.

good find sure its stuff we already knew but its still good to see some Kingdom Hearts news for overseas

Over 50 Spirits? Yeah

Yay! We get to OFFICIALLY learn something we pretty much knew since e3 2010! Nice find...

Nice find ^^ , wow I never knew about having 50 spirits ! helping Sora and Riku

Awesome! A KH-themed Nintendo 3DS bundle for each pertaining region would also be perfect.