Originally conceived as a spin-off from the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a standout name in the realm of modern RPGs. With its expansive universe spanning multiple sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays, Persona has solidified its status as a multimedia powerhouse. Its popularity continues to soar, showing no signs of slowing down. The latest installment, Persona 3 Reload, is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, inviting both new and returning players to dive into its captivating world. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off in the series, along with suggestions on where newcomers should start and the order in which to play them.
Jump to:
- How to play in order
- How to play by release date
- Upcoming releases
How Many Persona Games Are There?
Currently, there are twenty Persona games in total. These include several expanded versions of the mainline entries, such as re-releases with new story content or remakes. We will list every alternate version of each game, excluding direct ports or remasters.
Which Persona Game Should You Play First?
For newcomers, diving into Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is a fantastic starting point. These are the most recent versions of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, and are accessible on PC and most major consoles, with the exception of Persona 3 Reload on Nintendo Switch. Don't worry about missing out on the overarching story; each game features a new narrative and characters largely disconnected from its predecessors, making them perfect entry points. To help you decide, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to find what resonates with you the most.
Persona 3 Reload
54
Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X.
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Persona 4 Golden
42
Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch
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Persona 5 Royal
103
Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch
See it at Amazon
Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Chronological Order
These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.
1. Revelations: Persona (1996)
The inaugural game of the series, Revelations: Persona, was Atlus's response to the positive feedback on Shin Megami Tensei: If…. This full-fledged RPG centered around high schoolers combating a supernatural threat in Mikage-cho, using their awakened Personas to battle shadows and navigate dungeons. It laid the groundwork for the series, introducing key elements like Persona combat, the Velvet Room, and a youthful cast of heroes.
2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
In Persona 2: Innocent Sin, a new group of high school students, led by Tatsuya Suou, confronts the mysterious villain Joker and his cult, the Masked Circle. The narrative revolves around a sinister plot where rumors manifest in reality, requiring the team to explore dungeons, wield Personas, and combat shadows. This entry was followed by a direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, just a year later.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
Continuing from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment features Maya Amano as the protagonist, investigating the Joker Curse. This game maintains the series' tradition of turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay, with players building their party and utilizing Personas to defeat shadows.
Read our review of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
4. Persona 3 (2006) / Persona 3 FES (2007) / Persona 3 Portable (2009) / Persona 3 Reload (2024)
Persona 3 marked a significant evolution, introducing a daily calendar system that balances school life, social interactions, and battling shadows in the supernatural realm of Tartarus. The story follows Makoto Yuki, who navigates the mysterious Dark Hour and uncovers a global threat. This game introduced social links and other mechanics now iconic to the franchise.
Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.
Alternate Versions of Persona 3:
There are multiple ways to experience Persona 3: FES expanded the game with The Answer and a female protagonist; Portable offered a handheld version with the female protagonist but omitted The Answer; and Reload is a full remake for modern consoles, excluding The Answer and the female protagonist route.
5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)
This rhythm-based spin-off, set during the main campaign of Persona 3, features Elizabeth challenging the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. The events occur in a dream but are canon, with the team performing to iconic tracks from the game.
6. Persona 4 (2008) / Persona 4 Golden (2012)
Persona 4 transports players to the rural town of Inaba, where protagonist Yu Narukami investigates a series of murders linked to a mysterious realm accessible through TV monitors. The game builds on Persona 3's mechanics, using a calendar system to balance school life and dungeon exploration.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
Persona 4 Golden is an enhanced re-release with new story content and an additional dungeon, widely regarded as the definitive version of the game.
7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
This crossover between Persona 3 and 4 occurs during specific segments of both games' timelines. The S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad are trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School, exploring a labyrinth and battling new enemies in a nod to the series' dungeon-crawler origins.
Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)
A fighting game that continues the narratives of Persona 3 and 4, Persona 4 Arena sees Yu Narukami return to Inaba for a mysterious tournament in the TV world, facing off against allies and the Shadow Operatives from Persona 3.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
Following directly from Arena, Ultimax expands the roster and continues the story, with the Persona 4 squad and Shadow Operatives battling in the TV World.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
This rhythm-based game follows the Investigation Squad as they perform dance routines to iconic Persona tracks in the Midnight Stage, a canon continuation of the storyline.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)
Persona 5 introduces players to Tokyo, where protagonist Joker, on probation, discovers a supernatural realm and forms the Phantom Thieves to change the hearts of evildoers. The game expands on previous mechanics with new features like Mementos and became Atlus's best-selling title.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal enhances the original with new content, including a companion, dungeon, and an additional semester, making it the ultimate version of the game.
12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth features a crossover of characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5, trapped in a movie theater and exploring film-based dungeons to escape.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
Set during Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off where the Phantom Thieves navigate an alternate realm, the Kingdoms, using tactical grid-based combat to save their brainwashed allies.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)
In this rhythm-based spin-off, Caroline and Justine challenge the Phantom Thieves to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, performing to catchy tracks from Persona 5.
15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation turned adventure in the Metaverse, introducing real-time combat inspired by the Dynasty Warriors series.
Read our review of Persona 5 Strikers.
Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Release Order
- Revelations: Persona (1996)
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
- Persona 3 (2006)
- Persona 3 FES (2007)
- Persona 4 (2008)
- Persona 3 Portable (2009)
- Persona 4 Arena (2012)
- Persona 4 Golden (2012)
- Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
- Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
- Persona 5 (2016)
- Persona 3: Dancing in the Moonlight (2018)
- Persona 5: Dancing in the Starlight (2018)
- Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
- Persona 5 Royal (2019)
- Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
- Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
- Persona 3 Reload (2024)
What's Next for Persona?
In 2024, fans of Atlus RPGs enjoyed two releases: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from Atlus's Studio Zero. Following Metaphor's success, Sega announced plans to further invest in Atlus and the Persona franchise. The next project to watch is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game released in several Asian markets in 2024, with a Japanese release on the horizon and a global launch anticipated. This game features an original story set in the Persona 5 universe with new characters joining the Phantom Thieves. Meanwhile, Persona 6 is eagerly awaited, though Atlus has yet to confirm its development officially.
