List of Tales media

The Tales series, known in Japan as the Tales of series (「テイルズ オブ」シリーズ "Teiruzu Obu" Shirīzu), 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 fifteen 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.[1] 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.[2] As of December 2013, the series has sold 16 million units worldwide.[3]

Video games

In 2007, series producer Makoto Yoshizumi defined two classes of Tales games, "Mothership Titles" and "Escort Titles".[4] "Mothership" essentially means "Main series", where as "Escort" essentially means "Spinoff".[5] 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.[6] 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.[7][8][9]

Mothership titles

Title Original release date

Japan

North America

PAL region

Tales of Phantasia December 15, 1995[10] March 6, 2006 (Game Boy Advance)[11] March 31, 2006 (Game Boy Advance)[12]
Notes:
  • Released on Super Famicom[10]
  • Developed by Wolf Team[10]
  • Also available on PlayStation (1998),[13] Game Boy Advance (2003),[11] PlayStation Portable (as Tales of Phantasia: Full Voice Edition, 2006),[14] mobile phones (as Tales of Phantasia Mobile, 2010),[15] and iOS (2014)[16]
  • Included in Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X (as Tales of Phantasia X, PlayStation Portable, 2010)[17]
  • PlayStation and Game Boy Advance versions are a full remake with updated graphics and gameplay, PlayStation Portable version added fully voiced cutscenes
  • Characteristic genre name not present for original, set as Legendary RPG (伝説のRPG Densetsu no RPG) for PlayStation version and Game Boy Advance port, and as Legendary RPG, Embellished With Voices (声が彩る、伝説のRPG Koe ga irodoru, densetsu no RPG) for PlayStation Portable version
Tales of Destiny December 23, 1997[18] September 30, 1998[19] none
Notes:
  • Released on PlayStation[18]
  • Developed by Wolf Team[20]
  • Also available for PlayStation 2 (2006)[21] and as Director's Cut for PlayStation 2 (2008)[22]
  • PlayStation 2 version is a full remake with updated graphics and gameplay
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG of Destiny (運命のRPG Unmei no RPG), changed to RPG Called Destiny (運命という名のRPG Unmei to iu na no RPG) for remake and to One More RPG Called Destiny (もうひとつの運命という名のRPG Mou hitotsu no unmei to iu na no RPG) for the Director's Cut
Tales of Eternia November 30, 2000[23] September 10, 2001[23] February 10, 2006 (PlayStation Portable)[24]
Notes:
  • Released on PlayStation[18]
  • Known as Tales of Destiny II in North America[25]
  • Developed by Wolf Team[20]
  • Also available for PlayStation Portable (2005)[24]
  • Port added extra cutscenes
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG of Eternity and Bonds (永遠と絆のRPG Eien to kizuna no RPG)
Tales of Destiny 2 November 28, 2002[25] none none
Notes:
  • Released on PlayStation 2[25]
  • Developed by Wolf Team[20]
  • Also available for PlayStation Portable (2007)[25]
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG to Release Destiny (運命を解き放つRPG Unmei wo tokihanatsu RPG)
Tales of Symphonia August 29, 2003[26] July 13, 2004[26] November 19, 2004[27]
Notes:
Tales of Rebirth December 16, 2004[30] none none
Notes:
  • Released on PlayStation 2[30]
  • Developed by Namco Tales Studio[30]
  • Also available for PlayStation Portable (2008)[31]
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG Where You Will Be Reborn (君が生まれ変わるRPG Kimi ga umarekawaru RPG)
Tales of Legendia August 25, 2005[32] February 7, 2006[32] none
Notes:
  • Released on PlayStation 2[32]
  • Developed by Namco Tales Studio[32]
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG Where Bonds Spin Legends (絆が伝説を紡ぎだすRPG Kizuna ga densetsu wo tsumugidasu RPG)
Tales of the Abyss December 15, 2005[33] October 10, 2006[33] November 25, 2011 (Nintendo 3DS)[34]
Notes:
  • Released on PlayStation 2[33]
  • Developed by Namco Tales Studio[33]
  • Also available for Nintendo 3DS (2011)[34]
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG to Discover the Meaning of Life (生まれた意味を知るRPG Umareta imi wo shiru RPG)
Tales of Innocence December 6, 2007[25] none none
Notes:
Tales of Vesperia August 7, 2008[18] August 26, 2008[37] June 26, 2009[38]
Notes:
  • Released on Xbox 360[37]
  • Developed by Namco Tales Studio[20]
  • Also available for PlayStation 3 (2009)[39]
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG to Enforce "Justice" (「正義」を貫き通すRPG "Seigi" wo tsuranukitōsu RPG)
Tales of Hearts December 18, 2008[40] November 11, 2014 (PlayStation Vita)[41] November 14, 2014 (PlayStation Vita)[41]
Notes:
  • Released on Nintendo DS[40]
  • Developed by Namco Tales Studio[20]
  • Released in two editions: "Anime Edition" and "CG Movie Edition", with different styles of cutscenes[40]
  • Also available for PlayStation Vita (as Tales of Hearts R, 2013)[41]
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG to Meet the Heart (心と出会うRPG Kokoro to deau RPG)
Tales of Graces December 10, 2009[42] March 13, 2012 (PlayStation 3)[43] August 31, 2012 (PlayStation 3)[43]
Notes:
  • Released on Wii[42]
  • Developed by Namco Tales Studio[41]
  • Also available for PlayStation 3 (as Tales of Graces F, 2010)[43]
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG to Discover the Strength to Protect (守る強さを知るRPG Mamoru tsuyosa wo shiru RPG)
Tales of Xillia September 8, 2011[44] August 6, 2013[44] August 9, 2013[44]
Notes:
  • Released on PlayStation 3[44]
  • Developed by Namco Tales Studio[20]
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG of Unwavering Convictions (揺るぎなき信念のRPG Yuruginaki shinnen no RPG)
Tales of Xillia 2 November 1, 2012[45] August 19, 2014[45] August 22, 2014[45]
Notes:
  • Released on PlayStation 3[45]
  • Developed by Bandai Namco Games[45]
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG where Choices Spin the Future (選択が未来を紡ぐRPG Sentaku ga Mirai wo Tsumugu RPG)
Tales of Zestiria January 22, 2015[46] (2015)[46] (2015)[46]
Notes:
  • Released on PlayStation 3[46]
  • Developed by Bandai Namco Games[46]
  • Characteristic genre name is RPG of Passion that Illuminates the World (世界を点灯情熱のRPG Sekai o tentō jōnetsu no RPG)

Escort Titles

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 Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon November 10, 2000[18] None None Dungeon RPG (ダンジョンRPG Danjon RPG)
Notes:
  • Released on Game Boy Color.[18]
  • Spin-off sequel to Tales of Phantasia.
  • Remake for PlayStation Portable (titled Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X) was released in 2010.[25]
  • Genre of PlayStation Portable remake is RPG to Face Reality (真実に向き合うRPG Shinjitsu ni mukiau RPG).
  • PlayStation Portable version is a full remake with updated graphics and gameplay, voices, and additional content.
  • PlayStation Portable version includes enhanced port of Tales of Phantasia (titled Tales of Phantasia: Cross Edition).
  • Original developed by Telenet Japan, remake developed by Namco Tales Studio.
Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 2 October 25, 2002[18] None None Cosplay RPG (コスプレRPG Kosupure RPG)
Notes:
Tales of the World: Summoner's Lineage March 7, 2003[18] None None Fantasy Simulation RPG (ファンタジーシミュレーションRPG Fantajī shimyurēshon RPG)
Notes:
Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 3 January 6, 2005[18] None None Cosplay S-RPG (コスプレS-RPG Kosupure S-RPG)
Notes:
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology December 21, 2006[18] July 17, 2007 September 7, 2007 RPG For Your Sake (きみのためのRPG Kimi no tame no RPG)
Notes:
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2 January 29, 2009[18] None None RPG For Your Sake (君のためのRPG Kimi no tame no RPG)
Notes:
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 3 February 10, 2011[18] None None RPG For Your Sake (君のためのRPG Kimi no tame no RPG)
Notes:
Tales of the World: Dice Adventure April 26, 2012 None None None
Notes:
  • Released on Web browser.
  • Developed by Namco Bandai Games.
Tales of the World: Tactics Union July 2, 2012 None None None
Notes:
  • Released on Android and iOS.
  • Developed by Namco Bandai Games.
Tales of the World: Reve Unitia October 23, 2014 None None None
Notes:

Original

Basically independent of other titles, titles with original worlds and characters are organized here.

Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name
Japan North America PAL region
Tales of the Tempest October 26, 2006[25] None None RPG that Awakens the Soul (魂を呼び覚ますRPG Tamashii wo yobisamasu RPG)
Notes:

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 None
Notes:

Spin-off Sequels

Games that are sequels to mothership titles, but are not considered to be one themselves, and are not a part of the Tales of the World, Narikiri Dungeon, or Radiant Mythology series.

Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name
Japan North America PAL region
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World June 26, 2008[18] November 11, 2008 November 12, 2009 RPG to Believe in Resonating Hearts (響き合う心を信じるRPG Hibiki au kokoro wo shinjiru RPG)
Notes:
  • Released on Wii.[18]
  • Spin-off sequel to Tales of Symphonia.
  • Developed by Namco Tales Studio.

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[25] None None N/A
Notes:
Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name
Japan North America PAL region
Tales of the Heroes: Twin Brave February 23, 2012[25] None None N/A
Notes:

Fan Disk

Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name
Japan North America PAL region
Tales of Fandom Vol.1 January 31, 2002[18] None None None
Notes:
Tales of Fandom Vol.2 June 28, 2007[18] None None None
Notes:

Online

Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name
Japan North America PAL region
Tales of Eternia Online March 3, 2006 None None None
Notes:
  • Released on PC.
  • MMORPG.
  • Service ended on March 31, 2007.

Tales of Mobile

Game Original release date Characteristic Genre Name
Japan North America PAL region
Tales of Tactics February 16, 2004 None None None
Notes:
  • Released on DoCoMo, FOMA, au, and WIN.
Tales of Breaker January 31, 2005 None None None
Notes:
  • Released on DoCoMo, FOMA, au, and WIN.
Tales of Commons October 14, 2005 None None RPG to Walk Alongside a Changing World and Trusting Thoughts (変わりゆく世界 信じる想い 共に歩んでゆくRPG Kawari yuku sekai shinjiru omoi tomo ni ayunde yuku RPG)
Notes:
Tales of Tactics Gaiden November 16, 2005 None None None
Notes:
  • Released on Released on DoCoMo and FOMA.
Tales of Wahrheit June 21, 2006 None None RPG To Find the Meaning of Living (生きる意味を見つけるRPG Ikiru imi wo mitsukeru RPG)
Notes:
  • Released on Released on DoCoMo and FOMA.
Tales of the World: Material Dungeon January 31, 2008 None None Outfit Change RPG (着せ替えRPG Kisekae RPG)

Spin-offs

Games that are not from the mothership nor escort titles, but are considered to have similar gameplay from the two.

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 None
Notes:
  • 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 Animation January 8, 2001 – March 26, 2001 None None
Notes:
  • Loosely based on game.
Tales of Phantasia: The Animation November 25, 2004 – February 24, 2006 January 16, 2007 None
Notes:
Tales of Symphonia: The Animation June 8, 2007 – October 23, 2012[47] None None
Notes:
  • OVA.
  • Final Episode unreleased.
Tales of the Abyss October 4, 2008 – March 28, 2009 October 11, 2011 None
Notes:
Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike October 3, 2009 June 26, 2012 January 7, 2011
Notes:

Radio

Title Original Run
Japan North America PAL region
Tales Ring N/A None None
Tales of the Radio N/A None None

References

  1. ↑ Sheffield, Brandon (2 November 2012). "How Namco keeps its Tales Of RPG series fresh, 17 years later". Gamasutra. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  2. ↑ Parish, Jeremy (22 September 2006). "Tales of the Tempest Preview for DS from". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  3. ↑ Spencer (13 December 2013). "Altogether, Namco Bandai Shipped Over 16 Million Tales Games". Siliconera. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "Creator's Voice". Nintendo DS Creator's Voice. Archived from the original on 24 November 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  5. ↑ Robson, Daniel (26 June 2014). "Why 90% of Fans at Tales of Festival Are Female". IGN. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  6. ↑ Laura (23 June 2011). "Tales Games Aren't RPGs, Says Tales of the Abyss Producer". Siliconera. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  7. ↑ Shreier, Jason (5 April 2013). "Tales RPGs Are Like Gumdrops, Says The Guy Who Makes Them". Kotaku. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Romano, Sal (25 January 2012). "Tales of Innocence R credits tease another Tales remake". Gematsu. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  9. ↑ Spencer (2 August 2010). "Tales Of Graces F Includes A Tale About Asbel's Future". Siliconera. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Tales of Phantasia - Super NES". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Tales of Phantasia - Game Boy Advance". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  12. ↑ McCarroll, John (2005-11-03). "Tales of Phantasia Hitting US, Europe". RPGFan. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  13. ↑ "Tales of Phantasia - PlayStation". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  14. ↑ "Tales of Phantasia - PlayStation Portable". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  15. ↑ 中野信二 (2008-03-16). バンダイナムコ、iモード/EZweb「テイルズ オブ ファンタジア モバイル」「テイルズ オブ」シリーズの第1作目が携帯ゲームアプリとして初登場. Game Watch (in Japanese). Impress. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
  16. ↑ "Tales of Phantasia - iPhone". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  17. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (2010-03-10). "Jump Mystery Title Revealed to be New Tales Game". Andriasang. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 18.9 18.10 18.11 18.12 18.13 18.14 18.15 18.16 18.17 18.18 18.19 18.20 18.21 18.22 18.23 18.24 テイルズチャンネル+ (in Japanese). Bandai Namco Games. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  19. ↑ "Tales of Destiny - PlayStation". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 Goulter, Tom (2011-11-21). "Tales Studio shut down by Namco Bandai". GamesRadar. Future. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  21. ↑ テイルズ オブ デスティニー [Tales of Destiny] (in Japanese). Bandai Namco Games. Retrieved 2015-01-29.
  22. ↑ テイルズ オブ デスティニー ディレクターズカット [Tales of Destiny Director's Cut] (in Japanese). Bandai Namco Games. Retrieved 2015-01-29.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Tales of Destiny II - PlayStation". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Tales of Eternia - PlayStation Portable". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 25.7 25.8 25.9 25.10 25.11 25.12 Wallace, Kimberly (2014-05-02). "The Tales Games We Missed". Game Informer. GameStop. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 "Tales of Symphonia - GameCube". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  27. ↑ Bowskill, Thomas (2005-12-14). "Tales of Symphonia (GameCube) Review". NintendoLife. Gamer Network. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  28. ↑ "Tales of Symphonia - PlayStation 2". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  29. ↑ "Tales of Symphonia - PlayStation 3". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 "Tales of Rebirth". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  31. ↑ "Tales of Rebirth - PlayStation Portable". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 "Tales of Legendia". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 "Tales of the Abyss". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Tales of the Abyss - Nintendo 3DS". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 35.6 "Alfa System Home Page". Alfa System. Retrieved 2015-01-29.
  36. ↑ Romano, Sal (2011-10-21). "Tales of Innocence dated, new character revealed". Gematsu. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Tales of Vesperia". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  38. ↑ "Atari FR - Tales of Vesperia" (in French). Atari. Archived from the original on 2009-04-26. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  39. ↑ "Tales of Vesperia - PlayStation 3". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 【3分ランキング】PSP『ディシディア FF』が約50万本を販売してトップに！. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. 2008-12-26. Archived from the original on 2014-07-03. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 "Tales of Hearts R". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Gantayat, Anoop (2009-10-08). "Tales of Graces Gets Special Wii Bundle". Andriasang. Archived from the original on 2012-10-01. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 "Tales of Graces F". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 "Tales of Xillia". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 45.4 "Tales of Xillia 2". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 46.4 Moriarty, Colin (2014-09-17). "TGS 2014: Tales of Zestiria's All-New Take on a Classic JRPG Series". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  47. ↑ "Tales of Symphonia OVA Sequel Series Green-Lit". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-01-09.

External links