Kingdom Hearts Collection may use generative AI art for PS5 and Switch 2 covers

The June Nintendo Direct delivered for fans of the popular Square Enix and Disney RPG. Not only was a new Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer shown, but older games are being reintroduced in a new bundle. However, the Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] is facing scrutiny for allegedly using generative AI artwork.

Dissecting the Kingdom Hearts box art

With an October 8th release date, the collection is available for the Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox consoles. Buyers considering pre-ordering the title recognized suspicious-looking retail covers. One of the most obvious examples is with the Switch 2 box, where Donald Duck has a different number of fingers on each hand.

The background graphics ring even more alarm bells. Aspects of the clock tower and skyscraper may be products of genAI tools. Even on the Kingdom Hearts Collection PS5 cover, followers detected inconsistencies. The various renditions of Sora depict the series’ main hero with oddly shaped hands and thumbs.

Legendary Square Enix designer Tetsuya Nomura has created the bulk of the artwork for the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Most fans doubt that Nomura himself would resort to machine learning, leading them to consider other theories.

The dangers of reusing assets

DekuDraws, who is an avid follower of Nomura, offered an explanation on social media. He believes the work is authentic, noting that on the Switch 2 box, one of Donald Duck’s mitts is hidden. It’s possible that the publisher used AI tools to separate the illustrations for the alternative covers.

Square Enix may have taken shortcuts to piece together existing illustrations into something new. That would explain the inconsistencies with how the characters' positioning. They also don’t seem to blend into the background scenery, which likely wasn’t originally drawn with them.

At best, the publisher is using sloppily designed images to promote the Kingdom Hearts Collection. Critics point out that, to save costs, relying on generative AI to recycle assets can distort an artist’s work.