Santa Clara (CA) - Namco Bandai’s popular series of "Tales" role-playing games is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and in commemoration the publisher has announced new games for the Xbox 360 and Wii.

Tales of Vesperia will be the first entry in the series for the Xbox 360, and will follow the story of a former knight named Yuri and his quest to tame an out-of-control magical force called "blastia".

Perhaps more anticipated, though, is the Wii game Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. It will take place two years after the Gamecube title Tales of Symphonia, which was one of the few success stories for the former Nintendo console.

"The Tales series is one of our most successful and well-regarded franchises, and we’re celebrating its 10th anniversary in a big way with two new games that redefine role-playing on the Xbox 360 and Wii," said Namco Bandai marketing and PR head Todd Thorson.

Both games will be available "later this year."