The more I track video game news, the more I realise how strangely common it is for titles to leak onto the webosphere looong before their official launches. But in the case of the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 3, could a new record have been set?

The upcoming game from publisher Square Enix isn’t due to hit shelves until January 25th (if you live in Japan) but it seems the much-anticipated title has already been touted on the Facebook marketplace thanks to – well, I’m not exactly sure who Square Enix has to thank. But the fact is, it’s a full six weeks before the game’s worldwide release, so as advance previews go, this is quite the exclusive.

However, if you’re planning a pre-Christmas dive into the world’s most labyrinthine plot, you might want to rein in your expectations; the Facebook listings are now defunct, and Square Enix claims to be all over the situation. Indeed, the game’s director Tetsuya Nomura has taken to Twitter to clear up any confusion…

In summary: “we know how this happened, we’re sorry, and please don’t spoil anything.” Which is very nice, and more-than-a-little intriguing. I wonder if it was an internal leak? That’s where I’d lay my money, if I were a betting man, especially in light of Nomura’s coyness. Not that it really matters, of course – I’m just being nosey!

Now I must confess I’ve never played a Kingdom Hearts game, but I know that anticipation is nearing fever-pitch for this upcoming release. Kingdom Hearts 2 came out in 2005/6, so for fans of the franchise it’s been quite a long and uncomfortable wait for the follow-up. And thankfully, leaks notwithstanding, the end is almost in sight.

In the meantime, Square Enix has released a Story So Far collection on the PS4, so there is some Disney goodness available for those in need of a Kingdom Hearts fix.

Otherwise, you can click here to pre-order Kingdom Hearts 3 on the PS4 and help support this website. Alternatively, click here to pre-order on the Xbox One. The game launches on January 25th 2019 in Japan, and on January 29th for the rest of the world. Unless Facebook does something first 😉

Will you be playing Kingdom Hearts 3 when it releases next month? If so, will you be diving in fresh, or will you be playing (or replaying) some of the previous games in order to stay abreast of the complex plot? Let me know in the comments below!