All Party Members in Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Final Mix, Ranked

It may only be possible to have two party members accompany you on your journey across Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Final Mix’s Disney-inspired worlds, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t switch them out whenever you want to. Sure, Donald and Goofy are often the go-to party members most gamers focus on because who wants to pour effort into leveling up a character only to toss them out in the long run? 

But hey, you do stand to gain extra perks when you experiment with other characters, like enjoying distinct stories, quotes, and even diverse gameplay. Still, not every party member you come across will prove worthwhile. Some are poorly written, others are clanky. We’ve compiled all party members in Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Final Mix in the order we think they perform for your reading pleasure. 

11. Beast

Beast’s obsession with the enchanted rose takes center stage in the Kingdom Hearts 2 story. He struggles to choose between the rose and Belle. As a result of his confusion, he first plays the role of an antagonist, and Sora, Donald, and Goofy first explore Beast’s Castle. Later on, Beast comes to his senses. And in an effort to make up for his mistakes, fights alongside the crew. Sadly, his combat isn’t the most thrilling, despite Beast’s potential to cause some irreparable damage. He’s mainly a brawler, with brute strength the go-to sport against enemies. He also has some fun limits to check out, though they quickly run their course.

10. Captain Jack Sparrow

The crafty Captain Jack Sparrow teams up with Sora and the crew against cursed pirates. It offers a nice change of pace into the world of infamous looting and treasure hunting. Even Sora gets hyped up about embarking on Jack Sparrow’s wild adventures. Unfortunately, Jack’s gameplay lags behind, much like Beast. The expectation of a crafty combat system that exploits magic and trickery is lacking. Some of the gameplay is just confusing and leaves Sora to do most of the heavy lifting.

9. Mulan “Ping”

Mulan kicks off lowly and unskilled, picking up pace the more you play. She’s disguised as “Ping” and is often lost in the background. But as the story unfolds, so does her character, who is admittedly artistic in execution. Perhaps she’s come into herself a little too late, her combat doing little to redeem the warrior’s high reputation.

8. Aladdin 

As a street rat, Aladdin has perfected the art of quick getaways. And fortunately, the requisite to be quick on his feet is well incorporated in Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Final Mix. With his fast and agile movement and abilities, you’re constantly on the edge of your seat as you battle Jafar.

7. Auron

Final Fantasy fans will love Auron, a cross-over playable character from Final Fantasy X. He’s a nice change of pace from the Disney features, adding dry wit to the script. But beyond an interesting storyline, Auron syncs beautifully with Sora. They slash and burn enemies in tango, leaping into the air to strike down foes and unleashing a flurry of charged attacks on nearby enemies.

6. Jack Skellington

Some characters don’t need to do much to steal your interest. Jack Skellington is one of those characters that you simply like, playing a vital role in Halloween Town. Combat-wise, Jack plays pretty well, with impressive offense and elemental power. And on the limit breaks, Jack and Sora unleash spooky ghosts and pumpkins that wrap battles up in style.

5. Simba

Well, it’d be hugely disappointing if a lion couldn’t rip enemies apart like cheesecake. Simba delivers on expectations, with teeth that easily sink into enemies and rip off chunks of bone. Also, Goofy and Donald adapt to Pride Rock, taking the form of animals who move and fight differently. While it can take a while to get used to, the effort to craft a unique experience doesn’t go unnoticed.

4. Tron

Regarding character development, Tron pays the most attention to the plot and combat. Space Paranoids doesn’t just tell its world’s story but also connects to the larger plot. Meanwhile, Tron can put up a strong offense and defense, while contributing his brilliant hacking abilities to the cause. 

3. Riku

For forever, Riku has been a rival to Sora. Now, you have the chance to fight alongside him. He’s practically a Sora counterpart, with just as deep abilities and fighting mechanics. He may not tackle tough boss fights. But he’ll, in the latter stages of the game, play a vital role in bringing the story to an end.

2. Goofy

Ultimately, Goofy still sits at the top of the list of the best party members in Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Final Mix. Goofy and Donald may have taken a step down from their counterparts in the original Kingdom Hearts. They’re no longer as skilled as they once were. Yet, they’re still worthy investments across your playthrough. 

Goofy may not be enough to take on enemies, requiring Sora to take charge. But he’s still more competent than most party members, with a decent variety of abilities and tactics to concoct. He’ll help Sora clear smaller enemies, giving you time to focus on bosses, and for now, it’ll have to do.

1. Donald

Like Goofy, Donald is less competent than he used to be. Yet he remains the better option compared to most party members. He specializes in healing, which often gets Sora out of tough spots. So, now, you have to keep leveling him up to rely on him to keep you alive. And since you spend most of your time with him, traversing across multiple worlds with Goofy and Donald by your side, you should have more than enough time to upgrade them. In the end, Goofy and Donald have Sora’s back all the time, making it a priority to ensure they’re at their optimum.