Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix FAQ's

Version 1.3 (last updated on 11/18/2015)

-What is Final Mix? I thought there was only 1 version of Kingdom Hearts II?
Final Mix is a Japan exclusive re-release of Kingdom Hearts II that contains english voice acting and Japanese text/subtitles(with an exception to 1.5 and 2.5). Think of Final Mix as the final version of the game with bonus content that wasn't included in the original NA version. There is a Final Mix version of KHBBS, KH1, and KH2.

-I want to play KH2FM, how do I?
The original PS2/PSP Final Mix games are only available in Japan. The PS2 is region locked, so KH2FM will not work on a non Japanese PS2. However, if you pick up a few products and a couple free programs, you will be able to run KH2FM on your non-Japanese PS2. An even better option is Kingdom Hearts 2.5, an HD collection for the PS3 that includes KH2FM in english.

-Differences between speedrunning KH2 and KH2FM?
Faster load times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1hPNZ2JRhg (with the exception to Kingdom Hearts 2.5, which is about 40 minutes slower than the PS2 version).

Limit form (you can stunlock certain bosses for a small period of time with ars arcanum and zantetsuken).

No explosion (Strong finisher obtained in the english and japanese KH2 speedrun route from the twin lords fight in agrabah 1. We use finishing leap instead and it works well but is nowhere near as good as explosion).

Weak limits (comet and knocksmash in particular).

Different strategies (since most limits aren't viable, different strategies are used to kill bosses).

-Can you read Japanese?
No.

-Are you playing on emulator?
If I'm playing the PS2 version, no (http://i.imgur.com/DWe8BOo.jpg).
If I'm playing the HD collection, it's on the PS3.

-Are you going to fight Sephiroth/get ultima weapon/etc.?
This is Any%, so no.

-Are there any glitches in this game?
There is one small useless trick in agrabah, and as of 11/18/2015 there have been some out of bound discoveries in the cavern of remembrance.

-Why did you lose to Setzer?
Winning the struggle fight against Setzer will get you the champion's belt. The champion's belt provides a few elemental defenses, which in a speedrun is pretty useless. If you lose you get the medal, which gives +1 to your strength stat, and in this game strength is very important. It is also faster to die to Setzer, because it's nearly impossible to get all 200 orbs from him.

-Why did you die to Cerberus?
Cerberus is one of several fights that Mickey Mouse will save you in. Since I never use mickey before this fight, I have a 100% chance of him showing up to save me. His pearl ability does a large amount of damage to Cerberus. This applies to both Beginner and Critical Mode. This does not apply to Kingdom Hearts English or Japanese version.

-What fights can Mickey save you in and what are the chances of him appearing?
Shan-Yu
Thresholder and Possessor
Shadow Stalker/Dark Thorn
Cerberus (First Battle with Auron)
The Hydra
Volcanic Lord and Blizzard Lord
Storm Rider
Xaldin
Grim Reaper (First Battle)
Xemnas (First Armored Battle)

First time: 100%
Second time: 80%
Third time: 64%
Fourth time and after: 50%

-What is the world record for this game?
Records are being set all the time. For the most up to date information, please check www.khleaderboards.com.

-What is the point of the original PS2 version of Kingdoms Hearts II: Final Mix? Isn't 2.5 faster just like 1.5 was?
2.5 is estimated to be 30-40 minutes slower than the original PS2 version (varies depending on your PS3 model and which version you have of the game, as the japanese version is superior to the english/pal versions). 1.5 is only faster than the original KHFM because it added cutscene skips, whereas the original did not have them. It also included a beginner mode with stat boosts at the beginning of the game. In fact, 1.5 has slower load times than the original KHFM. Keep in mind that these HD collections Square Enix has been putting out lately are on blu ray discs, include multiple games packed into 1 disc, and have up-scaled resolutions.

BBSFM HD is superior to the PSP version for various reasons.