by Allison Apr 23,2025
Starting as a spin-off from the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a juggernaut within the realm of modern RPGs. Its expansive reach includes multiple sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays, cementing its status as a multimedia powerhouse. With the recent release of Persona 3 Reload on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, new fans are eager to dive into this rich universe. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to all Persona games and spin-offs, including the best starting points for newcomers, as well as the chronological and release orders of the series.
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There are currently twenty Persona games available. These include mainline entries and various spin-offs, with some games featuring expanded versions through re-releases or remakes. We'll highlight every alternate version of each game in our listings below.
For newcomers, diving into Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is a fantastic starting point. These are the latest iterations of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, and are available on PC and most major consoles, except for Persona 3 Reload, which isn't on Nintendo Switch.
Worried about missing out on the story by starting with later entries? Fear not—each game in the series offers a fresh narrative with new characters, largely independent of its predecessors. To decide which game suits you best, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each title to find what resonates with you.
54 Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X. See it at Amazon
42 Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Nintendo
103 Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Amazon
These descriptions include mild spoilers regarding characters, settings, and story elements.
The inaugural game of the series, Revelations: Persona, was Atlus's response to the acclaim of Shin Megami Tensei: If… It introduced a full dungeon-crawling RPG experience, featuring high school students battling a supernatural threat in Mikage-cho. Players harness the power of Personas to combat shadows, explore dungeons, and level up, laying the groundwork for the series with elements like the Velvet Room and a teenage cast.
In this sequel, players join a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou in their fight against a villainous cult, the Masked Circle, and their leader, Joker. The game delves into a narrative where rumors in Sumaru come to life, blending dungeon exploration with Persona combat and party development. Notably, it was followed by a direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
Continuing the story from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment shifts the focus to Maya Amano as the protagonist. Tasked with investigating the "Joker Curse," she and her allies face familiar foes in a turn-based, dungeon-crawling adventure that builds upon the series' core mechanics.
Read our review of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
Persona 3 marked a significant evolution for the series, introducing a daily calendar system that balanced school life with supernatural battles in Tartarus. Protagonist Makoto Yuki navigates the mysterious Dark Hour, teaming up with classmates to unravel a global threat. This entry introduced social links and day-to-day activities, becoming a cornerstone of the franchise.
Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.
Alternate Versions of Persona 3:
Persona 3 has seen multiple re-releases, each offering unique experiences. Persona 3 FES expanded the game with "The Answer" and a female protagonist option, while Persona 3 Portable, a handheld version, included the female route but excluded "The Answer." Persona 3 Reload, the latest remake, does not include these additional elements.
A rhythm-based spin-off set during the Persona 3 campaign, Dancing in Moonlight 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 dancing to iconic Persona 3 tracks.
Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami, a city high schooler who moves in with his uncle and cousin. As violent murders occur, Yu and his friends discover a link to an otherworldly realm accessible through TV monitors. The game builds on Persona 3's mechanics, utilizing a calendar system for social links and school activities alongside dungeon exploration.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
Persona 4 Golden, the 2012 re-release, added new story content and a dungeon, widely regarded as the definitive version of the game.
This crossover between Persona 3 and 4 occurs during specific segments of each game's timeline, trapping the S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad in a warped Yasogami High School. Players navigate a labyrinth, battling new enemies and uncovering a unique story that harks back to the series' dungeon-crawler origins.
Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
A fighting game that continues the narratives of Persona 3 and 4, Arena follows Yu Narukami back to Inaba and into a mysterious fighting tournament in the TV world. It features a roster of beloved characters from both games.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
Following directly after Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax expands the roster with characters from Persona 3, including Yukari, Junpei, Ken, and Koromaru, as the teams return to the TV World to battle mysterious forces.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
This rhythm-based spin-off sees the Investigation Squad performing dance routines to iconic Persona tracks in an alternate dimension called the Midnight Stage, continuing the series' storyline.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
Set in Tokyo, Persona 5 introduces protagonist Joker, who, on probation, discovers a supernatural dimension to infiltrate and change the hearts of corrupt individuals. As the Phantom Thieves, the group gains notoriety across Tokyo. Persona 5 builds on previous games with expansive story levels, a negotiation system, and the Mementos dungeon system, becoming Atlus' best-selling game.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal, the enhanced re-release, adds a new companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the ultimate version of the game.
A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth features another crossover, this time involving characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5. Trapped in a movie theater, the groups explore movie-themed dungeons to escape back to their timelines.
Set during Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy-based spin-off where the Phantom Thieves navigate the Kingdoms, an alternate realm. With tactical grid-based combat, players lead three units to combat enemies and rescue their brainwashed allies.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
In this rhythm-based spin-off, Caroline and Justine challenge the Phantom Thieves to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, performing routines to Persona 5's catchy tracks.
Set four months post-Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation that quickly turns into a Metaverse adventure. This spin-off introduces real-time combat inspired by the Dynasty Warriors series, featuring battles against hordes of enemies.
Read our review of Persona 5 Strikers.
The next anticipated project is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game launched in several Asian regions in 2024, with a Japanese release following a closed beta. A global release is on the horizon, though no official date has been announced. The game offers an original story within the Persona 5 universe, featuring new characters who join the Phantom Thieves.
As for the mainline series, Persona 6 is highly anticipated, though Atlus has yet to officially confirm its development.
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