If you have been following the recent wave of JRPG revivals, you know it is a good time to be a Tales of fan. But if you felt the recent announcements were leaning a bit too heavily on the “modern” side, Bandai Namco has heard you loud and clear. In a recent update regarding the series’ 30th Anniversary, producer Yusuke Tomizawa dropped some massive news: the Tales of Remastered Project is officially pivoting to focus on “even older” classic titles starting in 2026.
For veterans of the franchise who have been patiently waiting for the 2D era or the early 3D hits to get some love, this is the lifeline we have been waiting for. Here is everything we know about the future of the franchise and why the release schedule has been a little… eccentric.
The Shift to “Even Older” Titles
During the 30th Anniversary video broadcast, Tomizawa acknowledged the elephant in the room. The recent string of remasters—Tales of Graces f, Tales of Xillia, and the upcoming Tales of Berseria—are fantastic games, but they are also relatively recent, hailing largely from the PS3 and PS4 eras. While welcome, they didn’t exactly scratch the itch for preservationists worried about the PS1 and PS2 classics being lost to time.
Tomizawa clarified that while 2025 was the year of modern classics, 2026 will mark a shift toward the series’ deeper history. This strongly implies we could finally see attention given to titles that haven’t graced a console in decades, or perhaps even those elusive entries that never officially left Japan.
Why the Weird Release Order?
One of the most interesting tidbits from the update was the explanation for why the remasters have been released out of chronological order. It turns out, it comes down to two boring but critical realities: source code availability and technical feasibility.
Tomizawa explained that recreating the older games is significantly harder than polishing up a PS3 game. Some older titles require near-total reconstruction because the original assets or code are difficult to work with. To avoid a content drought, the team decided to release the “easier” modern remasters first while the harder work on the retro classics continued in the background. It is a smart move that keeps the community fed while the main course cooks.
The Current Remaster Roadmap
To help you keep track of what is out and what is coming, here is the current state of the Remastered Project as of late 2025:
| Game Title | Release Date / Window | Status |
| Tales of Graces f Remastered | January 2025 | Released |
| Tales of Xillia Remastered | October 2025 | Released |
| Tales of Berseria Remastered | February 27, 2026 | Confirmed |
| Tales of Xillia 2 | TBA | In Development |
| “Even Older” Classics | 2026 and Beyond | Teased |
What Could Be Next?
With the door officially open for older titles, the speculation engine is running hot. The most obvious candidate is Tales of the Abyss, arguably one of the most beloved entries in the franchise, which has been stuck on PS2 and 3DS for eons. However, the mention of “classics” also gives hope for Tales of Phantasia, the game that started it all, or perhaps Tales of Eternia (known as Destiny II in the US).
There is also the holy grail of localized requests: Tales of Rebirth. Fans have been begging for an English port of this PS2 gem for nearly two decades. If there was ever a time to make it happen, the 30th Anniversary window is it.
Conclusion
The Tales of Remastered Project started as a nice way to replay some PS3 favorites, but it is evolving into a comprehensive preservation effort. By committing to the older, harder-to-port titles in 2026, Bandai Namco is showing a level of dedication to their history that few publishers match. While we wait for the next mainline entry, revisiting the roots of the series sounds like the perfect way to celebrate 30 years of Tales.
FAQs
1. Will Tales of Xillia 2 get a remaster?
Yes, it has been confirmed that Tales of Xillia 2 is currently in development, though a release date has not been set.
2. Why are they releasing newer games like Berseria before older ones?
The producer explained that newer titles are technically easier to remaster. Older games require more complex reconstruction, so they take longer to develop.
3. Is a new mainline Tales game coming?
Yes, a brand new mainline entry is in development. However, the team has stated it will take more time, asking fans for patience as they work on it alongside the remasters.
4. Will Tales of the Abyss be remastered?
While not officially confirmed by name, it fits the description of “even older classics” that the team plans to focus on starting in 2026. It remains one of the most requested titles.
5. When is Tales of Berseria Remastered coming out?
Tales of Berseria Remastered is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026.