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Tales of Vesperia takes the top spot in this subjective ranking of the 19 games in Bandai Namco’s 30th-anniversary mainline lineup. The order weighs story and cast, combat, presentation, and how approachable each game is today; it is not a claim of universal consensus. “Every” here means those 19 entries, not every mobile game, crossover, regional release, or spin-off.
How this ranking works
The games are ranked by how well their stories and casts hold together, how engaging their battles are, and how effectively their presentation supports the experience. Accessibility matters too: a strong game is a less convenient starting point if playing it means tracking down older hardware or a region-specific release. The placement of each entry is editorial, and release chronology is separate from rank.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Tales of Berseria: REMASTERED - Nintendo Switch | $29.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
TALES OF XILLIA: REMASTERED - Nintendo Switch | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Tales of Graces f Remastered PS5 | $25.36 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Tales of Symphonia Remastered - PlayStation 4 | $14.50 | Buy on Amazon |
The franchise is an anthology more than one continuous story. Most entries introduce their own setting and cast, while a few are direct follow-ups. For example, Tales of Xillia 2 continues Xillia, and Tales of Symphonia: Knights of Ratatosk—known in some regions as Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World—follows Symphonia. You can generally start with a standalone entry without playing the others first.
The 19 Tales games, ranked
1. Tales of Vesperia (2008)
Vesperia is the strongest all-round pick here: its adventure has a memorable central cast, a layered political conflict, and a distinctive lead in Yuri Lowell. Its real-time battles give players room to develop their own style, while its colorful presentation keeps the journey inviting. It is also a natural first choice for someone who wants a classic-feeling Tales adventure rather than the newest production style.
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- A Tale of Emotion Versus Reason - Follow the journey of Velvet as she embarks on a journey of vengeance towards the murderers of her brother, torn between the person she was and the path her rage has set before her. Can she hold onto who she was, or will vengeance consume all that remains?
- Exhilarating Battle System - Customize your skills to create unique playstyles and defeat your foes by unleashing a flurry of attacks. Engage in exhilarating battles by stealing “Souls” from your enemies to empower your combos.
- A Modern, High-Quality Retelling - Play with new quality-of-life updates, including destination icons, the ability to toggle encounters, early grade shop access, and more.
- An All-Around Experience - Enjoy the immersion with the DLC*, which was launched alongside the original release, including costumes, useful items, and other fun extras.
2. Tales of the Abyss (2005)
The Abyss earns its place with a story built around identity, responsibility, and the consequences of characters’ choices. Luke’s personal development gives the ensemble drama a clear emotional spine. Its battle system and presentation show their age more than the top entries, but the story makes it one of the series’ most compelling journeys.
3. Tales of Berseria (2016)
Velvet Crowe’s pursuit of revenge gives Berseria a sharper, darker tone than many entries, and the cast’s uneasy alliances are a major strength. Its battle system is fast and flexible, though its abundance of options can feel busy. It is a strong choice for players who want morally complicated characters and a more antiheroic lead.
4. Tales of Symphonia (2003)
Symphonia remains an enduring entry point because its journey is easy to follow at first and grows into a broader story about power, prejudice, and sacrifice. Lloyd and his companions give the adventure a warm ensemble feel. Its 3D presentation and battles are from an earlier era, but the core appeal is still clear.
5. Tales of Arise (2021)
Arise is the most visually modern game in this lineup and a practical starting point for players who prefer contemporary presentation. Its action-RPG battles update the series’ combat while retaining familiar Tales mechanics, according to Bandai Namco. The story begins with Alphen and Shionne resisting an oppressive rule, then broadens into a larger conflict. The Beyond the Dawn expansion adds a separate post-game story arc.
Rank #2
- TWO HEROES, ONE DESTINY - Follow the paths of Milla and Jude as they embark on their daring journey through Rieze Maxia, a wondrous land where mankind and spirits coexist in harmony.
- PARTNER UP WITH DUAL RAID - Master the Dual Raid Linear Motion Battle System, mustering strategy and coordination to overcome action-packed battles in real-time combat—team up with allies to unleash devastating combo attacks and unlock special support skills to overwhelm your foes.
- QUALITY-OF-LIFE UPGRADES - Explore new quality-of-life updates, including improved graphics, an auto-save feature, early access to the Grade Shop, and more.
- AN ALL-AROUND EXPERIENCE - Xillia Remastered contains DLC*, which was launched alongside the original release and includes costumes, useful items, and other fun extras. *Select licensed DLC not included.
6. Tales of Graces
Graces puts friendship and loyalty at the center of its story, but its most distinctive strength is its action-focused combat. Battles reward switching tactics and making active use of the system rather than relying on a single routine. Its original release and later editions differ by region; the remastered edition is one option where available.
7. Tales of Xillia (2011)
Xillia follows two protagonists through the same conflict, letting players see its events from different perspectives. That structure gives the story a useful sense of scale, while its linked combat encourages characters to work together. It is a good fit for readers who like a party adventure with a clear follow-up in Xillia 2.
8. Tales of Phantasia (1995)
The first game in the anniversary sequence has a classic fantasy premise and the historical importance of establishing the series’ action-battle identity. Its 2D-era design has a different rhythm and feel from later 3D entries, which can be part of its appeal or a barrier for newcomers. Choose it to see the series’ roots, not because it offers the most modern onboarding.
9. Tales of Eternia (2000)
Eternia centers on a journey between worlds, with a party whose relationships carry much of the adventure. Its side-view battles preserve the immediacy of the earlier games while building on their ideas. Bandai Namco has announced Tales of Eternia Remastered for worldwide release on October 16, 2026; on October 8, 2026, that date is still upcoming.
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Rank #3
- High-speed battles that allow you to switch your play style known as the Style-Shift Linear Motion Battle System
- Now remastered with quality-of-life enhancements such as auto-saving, no encounters, improved graphics, and more
- A stunning story and rewarding experience that includes previously released content
- Tales of Graces f Remastered is an action RPG with high-speed battles
- 1 Offline Player (up to 4 players during battle)
10. Tales of Destiny (1997)
Destiny builds its fantasy adventure around characters whose weapons have their own personalities and history. That premise gives the party’s journey a clear identity, though the original game’s age makes it less convenient to recommend as a first stop than a more recent entry. Its place here reflects its appeal as an early-series classic, not its current ease of access.
11. Tales of Xillia 2 (2012)
This direct continuation of Xillia makes more sense after its predecessor, whose characters and world it develops. Its story takes a more consequential, choice-focused direction, and the combat builds on the previous game’s linked-battle approach. That dependence on an earlier entry keeps it below Xillia as a newcomer recommendation.
12. Tales of Rebirth (2004)
Rebirth tackles discrimination and social division through a conflict between groups with different identities and interests. Its story has a distinctive focus, and its three-lane battle system sets it apart from many other games in the series. Regional release history and language availability can make it harder to access than its position in the anniversary lineup suggests.
13. Tales of Hearts (2008)
Hearts gives its adventure an unusual emotional hook: its characters’ inner lives and feelings are part of the central conflict. The party-driven story has a lighter, more conventional feel than the entries above it, but that makes it an appealing change of pace. Its original and later releases differ by edition and region, so check which version is actually available to you.
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- Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn Edition includes the base game with reversible cover art, an additional Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn scenario, and much more additional content including Special Data, Travel Support Pack, Silver Weapon Collection, Free Update Battle Contents (3 Types), Additional Difficulty 2 types), Weekly Famitsu (Weapon), Atelier Sophie 2 Collaboration Costumes, SNX Collaboration Pack.
- Dynamic and stylish action-based battle system
- Rich story featuring an eccentric cast of characters
- Explore a vibrant world with a mix of unique environments
- Enjoy more story content with the expansion
14. Tales of Legendia (2005)
Legendia stands out for its setting aboard a vast ship and for giving its characters’ personal stories room to develop. Its combat feels less fluid than the series’ strongest action systems, and its structure changes pace as it moves beyond the main story. It is worth seeking out for its world and character episodes more than for a uniformly strong adventure.
15. Tales of Innocence (2007)
Innocence links its characters to past lives, using that idea to shape the party’s identities and conflicts. Its portable origins give it a more compact feel than the console-scale entries near the top. For players interested in the less familiar branches of the series, it has an intriguing premise; for a first Tales game, more accessible choices are easier to recommend.
16. Tales of Zestiria (2015)
Zestiria sends its lead into a conflict between humans and supernatural forces, with the idea of purifying corruption shaping the adventure. Its party and world have appealing fantasy ingredients, but the battles and story structure do not come together as smoothly as they do in the higher-ranked games. It is more rewarding for players already curious about the series than for newcomers choosing one game.
17. Tales of Destiny 2 (2002)
Destiny 2 is a follow-up to Destiny, not a standalone sequel that should be assumed to be available in every market under that title. Its time-spanning story and more demanding combat give it a distinct identity, but the relationship to the earlier game and regional release differences make it a difficult recommendation without checking the edition first.
Best Value
- AN EPIC ADVENTURE - Explore a rich and lively world filled with unforgettable characters and experience an emotionally charged storyline like never before
- FULLY RESTORED - Features graphically enhanced and improved gameplay
- THRILLING BATTLES - Play with up to 3 friends in local co-op mode to fight powerful opponents in real-time battles - Combine hundreds of special attacks and magic spells
- A 3D MASTERPIECE - Watch stunning anime cutscenes and become absorbed in endearing eel-shaded characters designed by renowned artist Kosuke Fujishima
18. Tales of Tempest (2006)
Tempest is one of the more obscure entries in the anniversary sequence, and its handheld scale and narrower reach leave it with less of the breadth that defines the series at its best. Its inclusion matters for a look at the mainline lineup, but it is not the easiest or strongest place to begin.
19. Tales of Symphonia: Knights of Ratatosk (2008)
This follow-up to Symphonia returns to that world but shifts attention to new leads and a different party dynamic. Its story is most meaningful for players who already know the first game, while the sequel’s narrower appeal and uneven place in the series make it the least convincing choice here. Regional releases often use the title Dawn of the New World.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Tales game should you play first?
- For the best all-round starting point: choose Vesperia if you want a classic ensemble adventure, or Arise if modern presentation and current platforms matter more.
- For a story-led experience: choose The Abyss for character growth and consequences, or Berseria for a darker revenge story.
- For the series’ roots: start with Phantasia if you are comfortable with older 2D design and want to see where the anniversary sequence begins.
- For connected stories: play Xillia before Xillia 2, and Symphonia before Knights of Ratatosk/Dawn of the New World.
What can you play on current systems?
Availability varies by region, edition, and store listing, so confirm the exact version before buying. Bandai Namco’s official store lists standard editions of Tales of Berseria Remastered for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, as well as physical editions of Xillia Remastered, Graces f Remastered, Symphonia Remastered, and Arise. Those listings do not establish availability in every territory or guarantee stock.
Bandai Namco lists Arise for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and PC. Its Beyond the Dawn expansion adds more than 20 hours of content according to the publisher. The company describes its Remastered Project as bringing classic games to newer consoles with quality-of-life enhancements. Its announced Eternia Remastered launch date is October 16, 2026, eight days after the date of this article.
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The 19-game sequence follows the lineup represented in coverage of Bandai Namco’s 30th-anniversary video. The publisher’s franchise catalog is curated rather than a complete database of every port, mobile release, territory, or spin-off. Older entries may require older hardware or a release intended for a different region; check language, platform, and edition before choosing one.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
