The Tales series, known in Japan as the , is a franchise of fantasy Japanese role-playing video games published by Bandai Namco Games (formerly Namco), and developed by its subsidiary, Namco Tales Studio (formerly Wolf Team) until 2011 and presently by Bandai Namco. First begun in 1995 with the development and release of Tales of Phantasia for the Super Famicom, the series currently spans twenty-eight main titles, multiple spin-off games and supplementary media in the form of manga series, anime series, and audio dramas.
While entries in the series generally stand independent of each other with different characters and stories, they are commonly linked by their gameplay, themes and high fantasy settings. Most of the main Tales games have been localized for North America and Europe, although almost all of the spinoff titles have not been released abroad. While generally seen as a niche series in English speaking regions, Tales is considered a high-profile property in Japan, just behind other series such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. As of 2024, the series has shipped over 30 million copies.
Video games In 2007, series producer Makoto Yoshizumi defined two classes of Tales games, "Mothership Titles" and "Escort Titles". "Mothership" essentially means "Main series", where as "Escort" essentially means "Spinoff". In 2020, a different internal organization scheme was announced; "Original" for games featuring new stories as well as their sequels, and "Crossover" for secondary entries drawing characters and worlds from various past titles. The games are also frequently given what is called a "Characteristic Genre Name", which is a short subtitle or phrase that outlines the game's overall theme. There are also terms that are used in remakes or ports of games: "R" stands for "remake" or "re-imagination" (as in Hearts R), while "F" in Graces F stands for "future", in reference to the game's extra story content.
Original Titles
Crossover titles and Spin offs
Tales of the World, Narikiri Dungeon, Radiant Mythology Games that are a part of the Tales of the World, Narikiri Dungeon, and/or Radiant Mythology series.
Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name Japan North America PAL region Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 2 October 25, 2002 None None Notes: Released on Game Boy Advance. Developed by Alfa System. Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 3 January 6, 2005 None None Notes: Released on Game Boy Advance. Developed by Alfa System. Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology December 21, 2006 July 17, 2007 September 7, 2007 Notes: Released on PlayStation Portable. Developed by Alfa System. Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2 January 29, 2009 None None Notes: Released on PlayStation Portable. Developed by Alfa System. Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 3 February 10, 2011 None None Notes: Released on PlayStation Portable. Developed by Alfa System. Tales of the World: Dice Adventure April 26, 2012 None None NoneNotes: Released on Web browser. Developed by Namco Bandai Games. Tales of the World: Tactics Union July 2, 2012 None None NoneNotes: Released on Android and iOS. Developed by Namco Bandai Games. Tales of the World: Reve Unitia October 23, 2014 None None NoneNotes: Released on Nintendo 3DS. Developed by Namco Bandai Games.
Compilations Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name Japan North America PAL region Tales of Symphonia Chronicles October 10, 2013 February 25, 2014 February 28, 2014 NoneNotes: Released on PlayStation 3. Contains both the PlayStation 2 version of Tales of Symphonia and its sequel Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World.
Non-RPG Spin-off Games that are not of the role-playing game genre but features characters and settings from the Tales series. Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name Japan North America PAL region Tales of VS. August 6, 2009 None None N/ANotes: Released on PlayStation Portable. Crossover Fighting game featuring 35 characters from 13 past games from the Tales series. Contains an additional mini-game called Tales of Wallbreaker which features traditional 2Dgameplay with additional characters not featured in the main game. Developed by Matrix Software. Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name Japan North America PAL region Tales of the Heroes: Twin Brave February 23, 2012 None None N/ANotes: Released on PlayStation Portable. Crossover Action Beat 'em up video game featuring 33 characters from 15 past games from the Tales series. Developed by Namco Bandai Games and Alfa System.
Fan Disk Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name Japan North America PAL region Tales of Fandom Vol.1 January 31, 2002 None None NoneNotes: Released on PlayStation. Developed by Namco. Tales of Fandom Vol.2 June 28, 2007 None None NoneNotes: Released on PlayStation 2. Developed by Namco Bandai Games.
Tales of Mobile Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name Japan North America PAL region Tales of Tactics February 16, 2004 None None NoneNotes: Released on DoCoMo, FOMA, au, and WIN. Tales of Tactics Gaiden November 16, 2005 None None NoneNotes: Released on DoCoMo and FOMA.
Other Mobile Titles
Others Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name Japan North America PAL region Keroro RPG: Kishi to Musha to Densetsu no Kaizoku March 4, 2010 None None NoneNotes: Released on Nintendo DS. Spin-off of the Tales Series based on the Sgt. Frog Franchise. Developed by Namco Tales Studio.
Other media
Anime Title Original Run Japan North America PAL region Tales of Eternia: The AnimationJanuary 8, 2001 – March 26, 2001NoneNoneNotes: Loosely based on game. Tales of Phantasia: The AnimationNovember 25, 2004 – February 24, 2006January 16, 2007NoneNotes: OVA. Released on DVD and VHS in 2004. Released on Blu-ray Disc in 2008. Tales of Symphonia: The AnimationJune 8, 2007 – October 23, 2012NoneNoneNotes: OVA. Tales of the AbyssOctober 4, 2008 – March 28, 2009October 11, 2011NoneNotes: Released on DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and UMD in 2009. Tales of Vesperia: The First StrikeOctober 3, 2009June 26, 2012January 7, 2011Notes: Theatrical release. Released on DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and UMD in 2010. Prequel to Tales of Vesperia. Features many new characters as well as returning ones. Tales of Zestiria the XJuly 3, 2016 – April 29, 2017Simulcast StreamingSimulcast Streaming
Radio Title Original Run Japan North America PAL region Tales RingN/ANoneNone Tales of the RadioN/ANoneNone
References
External links Official website