For a first playthrough, use the original Japanese release order for standalone Tales story entries, but keep direct sequels beside their predecessors. The series is not one continuous storyline, and crossover games, side stories, and remasters belong in separate categories rather than one all-purpose numbered list.
What order should I play the Tales games in?
Start with standalone story entries in original Japanese release order if you want a simple franchise path. That order reflects when each game first appeared, not a shared story chronology. The official Tales Channel+ title index distinguishes original titles, crossover titles, and remasters, and dates entries individually.
The dates below are Japanese console release dates unless a different platform is specified. They are not North American, European, or worldwide launch dates.
| Release-order anchor | Original Japanese release | How to treat it |
|---|---|---|
| Tales of Phantasia | December 15, 1995; Super Famicom | Earliest anchor in the official console catalog. Its page lists later ports and remakes separately. |
| Tales of Destiny | December 23, 1997 | Standalone entry and the predecessor to Tales of Destiny 2. |
| Tales of Eternia | November 30, 2000 | Standalone entry in this release-order path. |
| Tales of Destiny 2 | November 28, 2002 | Direct follow-up to Tales of Destiny; play Destiny first for that story thread. |
| Tales of Symphonia | 2003; platform-specific date not stated in the official index | Officially categorized as an original title. |
| Tales of Berseria | August 18, 2016 | Modern standalone example; it precedes Arise by release date. |
| Tales of Arise | September 9, 2021 on consoles; September 10 on Steam | Modern standalone example. The cited official material does not establish a continuous plot timeline linking it to Berseria. |
These are useful anchors, not a complete franchise checklist. The official index includes further original games as well as mobile and crossover works; do not treat every catalog entry as a required step in a first playthrough.
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- 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.
Which Tales games are direct sequels?
Tales of Destiny before Tales of Destiny 2
Tales of Destiny 2 is a direct follow-up set 18 years after the story of Tales of Destiny. Play Destiny first if you want the context and continuity of that thread. Its release slot after Tales of Eternia does not change the fact that Destiny is its narrative predecessor.
Other entries and shared chronology
Do not infer a common timeline just because games share the Tales name or appear near each other in release order. The official material cited here identifies Symphonia as an original title and does not establish that Berseria and Arise share one continuous plot timeline. Phantasia itself describes a journey through past, present, and future within its own story; that internal chronology is different from the franchise’s release order.
Rank #2
- 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.
How should I handle crossovers, side stories, and remasters?
- Crossovers: Keep them out of a first-playthrough sequence unless you specifically want a crossover. The official index labels crossover works separately from originals.
- Side stories: Place them next to a related game only when their connection is established; they are not automatically numbered with standalone entries.
- Remasters: Treat a remaster as another way to play its underlying game, not as a new first-release entry in the series chronology.
For a complete personal checklist, use the official catalog’s original-title filter and sort those entries by original Japanese release date. Then add direct sequels and relevant side stories in a separate continuity list, and list remasters separately as available editions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which current remasters and editions affect the order?
| Edition | Officially listed release timing | Platforms listed | Place in an order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tales of Berseria Remastered | February 26, 2026 on consoles in Japan; February 27 on Steam | Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 physical editions; Xbox Series X|S and Steam are also listed | Same story entry as Berseria; its remaster date does not move the original game’s 2016 release position. |
| Tales of Eternia Remastered | Scheduled for October 15, 2026 in Japan; October 16 on Steam | Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam | As of October 8, 2026, this launch is upcoming; it does not alter Eternia’s original 2000 position. |
| Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn Edition | Listed as released May 21, 2026 | Nintendo Switch 2 | An edition of Arise, not a separate place in first-release order. |
Bandai Namco’s Berseria Remastered product page says the remaster is based on the PlayStation 4/PlayStation 3 original with some specifications changed. The Eternia Remastered page lists its scheduled Japanese dates and platforms. The Arise title page lists the original console and Steam dates, while the official title index lists the Beyond the Dawn Nintendo Switch 2 edition. Storefront availability and physical stock can vary by territory.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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)
Rank #4
- The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales - Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a double-sided poster.
- Hope is Timeless. A brand-new action RPG from the creators of OCTOPATH TRAVELER and BRAVELY DEFAULT – The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales features a bold narrative, deep exploration, robust customization, and intense real-time combat. The adventurer Elliot and his fairy sidekick Faie set off on a journey across four ages to fulfill a thousand-year mission. Enjoy intuitive and rewarding action-based battles with strategic support abilities from a fairy as you reveal this world’s mysterious history.
- Seven Weapon Types and Fairy Magic - Arm yourself with up to two weapons at a time to do battle with the beast tribes that overrun the continent. Faie’s fairy magic will prove handy in clearing both the fiends and puzzles that stand in your way.
- The Four Ages of a Millennium - To lift a curse, Elliot and Faie will cross through the Doorway of Time to visit different periods in history. Across every age, a terrible threat looms over Elliot and Faie’s adventure.
- Personalized Adventuring with Magicite - Customize Elliot’s weapons by equipping different combinations of magicite found during the journey. Try out all sorts of variations and confront obstacles using your own methods.
Rank #3
- 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
Where should a new player start?
- Want release history? Begin with Phantasia and follow original Japanese release order among standalone story entries.
- Want the connected Destiny story? Play Destiny, then Destiny 2; Eternia was released between them but is not the sequel link.
- Want to play a newer example? Berseria (2016) or Arise (2021) can be considered as standalone starting options based on the cited official material; this evidence does not establish one as universally best.
- Choosing between an original and a remaster? Decide by your platform and whether you want the original release or a currently listed edition. A remaster changes how you access a game, not where its original release belongs.
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.
