The release of *Persona 5 Royal* has cemented Atlus' *Persona* series as a cornerstone of JRPG culture. *Persona 5*, in particular, has achieved such iconic status that fans travel to Shibuya station in Tokyo to capture the famous scene of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Although the station has been remodeled, the iconic angle remains a must-visit for fans.
But the journey to this level of acclaim was gradual. Persona originated as a spin-off from Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei series, with the first game launching nearly thirty years ago. Contrary to what the numbering might suggest, there are actually six mainline Persona games, not including various spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced editions. Note that Metaphor: ReFantazio is not part of the Persona series.
Exploring the extensive 30-year history of the Persona series is highly rewarding, though some titles are harder to find than others. Here's a guide on where you can legally play each mainline Persona game. Be prepared, you might need to dust off a PSP.
Revelations: Persona
| Platforms | PS1, PlayStation Classic, PSP |
Revelations: Persona, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, also saw subsequent releases on Microsoft Windows and the PlayStation Portable. The game's narrative revolves around high school students who gain their personas following a dramatic fortune-telling session. Unfortunately, the most recent re-release is on the PlayStation Classic from 2018, meaning it's not available on modern hardware. You'll need to find a physical copy for a PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, given Atlus' commitment to remastering older titles, fans can hope for a future modern version.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita |
Also known as Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this sequel was initially released for the PlayStation in 1999, but only in Japan. It wasn't until 2011 that a localized version reached North America and Europe on the PSP, with a release on the PlayStation Vita as well. The game follows a group of high school students in Sumaru City as they tackle a villain named Joker, whose rumors alter reality. Unfortunately, like its predecessor, Innocent Sin is not available on modern consoles.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita, PS3 |
Eternal Punishment is the direct sequel to Innocent Sin, released in 2000. It continues the story a few months later, focusing on a new protagonist, a teenage reporter, still entangled in the "Joker Curse." Unlike Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment saw a simultaneous North American release and later a PSP remake in 2011, which was also available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 in 2013. While it's not currently available on modern hardware, there's potential for a future remastered release combining both Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment.
Persona 3
| Platforms (Persona 3) | PlayStation 2 |
| Platforms (Persona 3 FES) | PlayStation 3 |
| Platforms (Persona 3 Portable) | PS4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch |
| Platforms (Persona 3 Reload) | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC |
Persona 3 marked the series' emergence from the Shin Megami Tensei shadow, launching on the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America. The game explores themes of death as students investigate the "Dark Hour" time anomaly. An expanded version, Persona 3 FES, with an additional epilogue, was released the following year for the PS3.
The series saw further iterations with Persona 3 Portable, an abridged version initially for the PSP but later available on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical releases in 2023. Many consider Portable the definitive version of Persona 3. The latest release, Persona 3 Reload, launched in 2024 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, catering to fans of Persona 5 Royal. Physical versions are available for PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
Persona 4
| Platforms (Persona 4) | PlayStation 2 |
| Platforms (Persona 4 Golden) | PlayStation Vita, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC |
Persona 4 hit the PlayStation 2 in 2008, presenting a murder mystery where students harness personas to solve crimes. The beloved game received an enhanced remake, Persona 4 Golden, in 2012 for the PlayStation Vita. Golden is now available across numerous platforms, including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with physical versions for all but the PC.
Persona 5
| Platforms (Persona 5) | PS3, PS4 |
| Platforms (Persona 5 Royal) | PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC |
Persona 5 transformed the series into a household name among gamers. Released for PS3 and PS4 in 2016 in Japan and 2017 worldwide, its enhanced version, Persona 5 Royal, followed a few years later, launching in North America in March 2020. The game follows a protagonist, codenamed Joker, who relocates to Tokyo after being wrongfully accused and becomes involved with the "palaces," metaphysical realms born from people's delusions.
Persona 5 Royal is now playable on nearly all modern platforms, including PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital copies available.
