Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Final Mix

This page covers the Final Mix version of Birth by Sleep. It contains some unique content compared to the original PlayStation Portable release''.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Final Mix is a re-release of Birth by Sleep with new additions, such as different colored Unversed, new minigames, keyblades, and an additional episode focusing on Aqua. Like with the other Final Mix re-releases, it remained exclusive to Japan before becoming available worldwide as part of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX.

It would also receive a cloud version exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, only for it to shut down years later due to receiving a native port, along with a Nintendo Switch 2 port as well.

Unused Graphics#

Original Colored Unversed#

Bruiser (Original Colors)	Bruiser (Final Mix Colors)

Buckle Bruiser (Original Colors)	Buckle Bruiser (Final Mix Colors)

Flood (Original Colors)	Flood (Final Mix Colors)

Thornbite (Original Colors)	Thornbite (Final Mix Colors)

BBS3.DAT, located in the PIC folder, contains leftover screenshots from the original version of the game, which show the Unversed in their original colors. Curiously, all the screenshots in Final Mix have slight differences, such as brighter or darker textures and Hercules having a different pose when attacking the Buckle Bruiser.

Placeholder Image#

ThVen00.arc contains a screenshot of Xehanort in the Land of Departure with a message written on it.

Debug Font#

The debug font seen in some unused screenshots can be found in DebugFont.arc.

AIRSTRIKE Command Style#

In the graphics for the Command Styles, there's an unused one named "AIRSTRIKE". Not much is known of its functionality or who it was to be assigned to (possibly Ventus).

Wallpapers#

The files of 2.5 HD ReMIX contain unfinished wallpapers that may have been intended for the PSP version. Curiously, one features early concept art.

Unused Models#

Kingdom Hearts 3D DEMO Leftover Models#

BBS3.DAT contains several models from the Kingdom Hearts 3D DEMO that was shown off to demonstrate the Nintendo 3DS at E3 2010. It's possible that the underlying code of this game served as the base for the tech demo, and some of the demo's elements were later found in Dream Drop Distance.

Unused Animations & Cinematics#

Kingdom Hearts 3D DEMO Leftover Animations and Cinematics#

Nearly all of PAM files for the 3D DEMO can be found in this game's files, and they can be used to nearly recreate the entire tech demo, though without the maps for Traverse Town, or keyblades like Kingdom Key, as those models do not exist in Final Mix's files.

Revisional Differences#

Differences between international release and Final Mix#

• Rewards for the Crown Sticker albums have been modified.
• The Unknown's rope attack was altered to be escapable.
• In Ventus's scenes for Olympus Coliseum, stills with Hercules and Zack have altered poses, seen above.
• All Unversed have been recolored, similarly to the Heartless in previous Final Mix re-releases of the game.
• A new Command Style, Rhythm Mixer, has been added for all characters.
• Some mission requirements in Mirage Arena have been made easier.
• Aerial Recovery was added to the Mirage Arena Shop.
• Illusion commands have been added, along with the Unversed Missions required to unlock them.
• Three new bosses have been added to the Mirage Arena: Monstro, No Heart, and Armor of the Master. Defeating No Heart unlocks the new "Royal Radiance" Keyblade.
• A new playable secret ending has been added, "A Fragmentary Passage". It features two new cutscenes, and an entirely new playable area (the Realm of Darkness), with three new enemies (Shadow, Neoshadow, and Darkball), as well as a new boss fight (the Dark Hide).
• Six new songs were added, for all of the new boss fights and the exploration/battle themes of the Realm of Darkness in the Secret Episode.

Differences between Final Mix and HD Remix 2.5#

• Graphics have been improved.
• The save menu on the PS3 and PS4 versions use the system's internal save system akin to the PSP version. Starting with the Xbox One version, it was changed to use a save menu identical to Kingdom Hearts II and Re:Chain of Memories.
• Environments are now more detailed, and contain new sound effects.

PSP versions	HD 2.5 ReMIX

• The Palace Courtyard in Castle of Dreams now has a more blue-colored sky, instead of a green-gray sky with a scrolling star texture behind it to give a twinkling appearance. This gives incongruity to the other outdoor map's skies, and the view from outside the door in the Corridor map.
• The controls have been adjusted to be more in line with the series' main console entries. For example, the camera can now be controlled with the right analog stick.
• The Mirage Arena has had all multiplayer functionality removed, including Mirage Arena D-Links. However, most of the multiplayer based commands still remain obtainable and usable.
  • The Armor of the Master and both phases of the No Heart battle have reduced HP to compensate.
• The Lingering Will at the end of Terra's episode now sprouts a cape, to maintain continuity with its appearance from Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.
• The Taunt command has been replaced with Victory Pose, and the Group Esuna command has been completely removed.
• The Secret Episode cutscenes have now been dubbed in English.
• Two songs have been re-orchestrated, "Dismiss" and "Keyblade Graveyard Horizon".
• All UI sound effects, previously unique to the game, have been changed to match those used in the rest of the series.
• The Milky Way ice cream has been renamed to Sugary Skies. This is likely to avoid any trademark conflicts with a confection of the same name.
• The Xbox One and PC releases remove the ability to rename Finish Commands.