Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 3 (2005). Play online

Summary

Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 3 (often just called Narikiri Dungeon 3) packs a surprisingly deep tactical experience onto the GBA. It’s the third installment in Namco’s "Narikiri Dungeon" spin‑off and leans on the series’ cosplay theme, letting you field three‑person parties that move across dotted grids—gray dots mean you can go, red means you’re out of range. When two parties touch, the battle snaps to a classic Tales LMBS showdown, merging real‑time action with turn‑based strategy.

What really hooks me is the massive crossover roster; you can recruit faces from Symphonia, Eternia, Destiny, and more, each with their own abilities. The game also sneaks in the familiar cooking mechanic: collect ingredients, whip up meals, and give the party temporary stat boosts or extra HP. It’s a quirky blend of tactical depth and Tales‑flavoured fan service that makes the handheld feel like a miniature Tales festival.

Storyline

Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 3 follows two teen fans, Frio and Kyaro, who obsess over the Tales legends each night before bed. After an earthquake, Dr. Brown uncovers an ancient time‑travel device hidden in the ruins, allowing the pair to actually visit the stories they love. One night Frio reads a legend that ends abruptly—the hero arrives too late and the world is shattered—foreshadowing trouble.
When they awaken, the machine has vanished; a re‑colored version arrives piloted by Dr. White, revealed to be Dr. Brown from a hundred days in the future, his hair turned white from extreme stress. He explains that thieves are corrupting the timelines of the Tales legends, and he enlists Frio, Kyaro, and heroes from Symphonia, Destiny, and Eternia to restore the proper history.