The March 30th issue of Famitsu PSP+PS3 features a short interview with Tetsuya Nomura on his design for the special edition 358/2 Days DSi. Thanks go to ffshores for the magazine scan, and heartstation for the translation.

"Those who've seen the previous titles will be able to enjoy its content!"
At last the limited edition Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days design is revealed!

The Nintendo DS title Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is set to release May 30. The special edition Nintendo DSi with the unique design will also be released then. It has a chic design where icons symbolizing the game are arranged in the shape of a monogram on the DSi's top. The finished design is both appealing and adult-like, it doesn't look like a game console at all.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Nintendo DS
Releases May 30, Price 5980 yen with tax
Special Edition Kingdom Hearts DSi price - 24,880 yen with tax

Tetsuya Nomura's Interview

Question: Did you do the main design?

Nomura: Yes. I was often being asked, "Will you design it for girls?", but inevitably I designed it myself. The special characteristics of Kingdom Hearts titles were top priority, though the course of staying conscious of female fans, details like the main DSi body were made chic so that boys and adults wouldn't feel out of place with it. I think since the rare monogram designs of the game are seen as fashionable, not only girls but guys will also want it.

Screenshots

Top: It is the story of the time when Roxas belonged to Organization XIII.

Bottom: For the first time in the series, there is multiplayer interaction.

Keep up to date on the 358/2 Days DSi's release and purchase information on play-asia.

That's right! TKK is back and with an all new look... again. The last layout wasn't quite cutting it. It was very limiting for content and just about anything we wanted to add, as well as too small and, as everyone on the forum was quick to point out, not centered (this was due to issues with the coding involving div alignment). As a personal note, I'm never using Dreamweaver again- this layout was made in less than half the time, has neater code, and was created from scratch in Notepad. :P

So what all does this new layout have? In short- more freedom. We've got new spaces for updates and other content (like our Twitter updates) over to the right on the main page, as well as a new Shoutbox (this one had customizable colors and the other didn't). In addition, the other layout was a mess in Internet Explorer (sorry to everyone who uses that!); this layout should look just fine.

Also, if you have a look at each of the games in the navigation above, you'll see that each game has its own index page, with all the information found in one convenient place.

Everything should be working fine (I did a quick double check before going live), but if you see anything missing or wrong, or whatever else, please let us know right away either by email as a comment to this update, or in the Shoutbox.

We're still looking for fan-made content to submit, so head over to our Extras page to find out more about that if you have any fanart, fan fiction, or avatars/signatures you're willing to donate.

Other than that, I hope you guys like the new layout as much as Strax and I do! We're still working to get you more new content, so keep checking back.

Famitsu.com has recently updated on the soon-to-be released soundtrack CD, "Piano Collections: Kingdom Hearts," a 12-track compilation of the series' finest piano pieces, all re-recorded for the album. For those of you who don't know of this CD, it's being released in Japan on May 27th for 3000 yen (About 30 US dollars).

The article explains that composer Yoko Shimomura performed songs from the collection, took photographs, and recorded promotional videos. The article also contains quite a long interview with Shimomura regarding the recording of the album, the album's artwork, and the individual songs.

Here is the tracklist for Piano Collections: Kingdom Hearts, as reported by Famitsu.com:

01. Dearly Beloved
02. Traverse Town
03. Hand in Hand
04. Missing You / Namine
Sonata on Themes of Kingdom Hearts
05. 1st Mov. : Sora - Allegro con brio
06. 2nd Mov. : Kairi - Andante sostenuto
07. 3rd Mov. : Riku - Scherzo e Intermezzo
08. Finale : Working Together - Allegro vivace
09. The 13th Side
10. Roxas
11. The Other Promise
12. Concert Paraphrase on 'Dearly Beloved'

View the entire article here (Japanese)

Play-Asia recently put a new plastic cover for the Nintendo DSi online for sale. It features images of Roxas, Axel, and Xion set inside the Nobodies' symbol, as well as a checkerboard band as featured on Roxas's Twilight Town clothing. The cover is going for $14.90 in US dollars, as well as $2.90 for shipping. See purchase information here.

Also, I'd like to update everyone on the content of the website. I'm sure some you've noticed that the site is incomplete - just know that we're working on it. I've recently reassembled and added to Kingdom Hearts' Adventure Guide and In-Depth sections, so check those out (They are still under construction, keep in mind).

Expect lots of media from 358/2 Days, Birth by Sleep, and Coded very soon!

After about two years of inactivity, we are thrilled to announce that The Kingdom Key is officially up and running, with all new content and under new management. Straxton and I will be working hard to keep you guys updated on the Kingdom Hearts series and to continue adding new content to the website.

We're currently in the process of revamping old pages and adding completely new content; please pardon the mess as we update, and keep checking back for more information and new content!

We're currently searching for new affiliates, so if you're interested check out our Links page or email us at thekingdomkey@hotmail.com for information about affiliation.

We'd like to thank Voodoo for all the time he spent as the webmaster here at TKK and the dedication he showed for so long. Sadly, he can no longer keep up with the needs of The Kingdom Key, but it's still all because of him that TKK is here today.