Originating as a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a standalone phenomenon and a titan in the world of modern RPGs. With a rich catalog spanning multiple main sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays, Persona has firmly established itself as a multimedia juggernaut, showing no signs of slowing down.
The latest installment, Persona 3 Reload, is now playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, sparking curiosity among newcomers about the best starting point in this expansive series. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every Persona game and spin-off, including the ideal entry for beginners, as well as a breakdown of the series in both chronological and release order.
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- How to play in order
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Which modern Persona game do you consider the best?
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How Many Persona Games Are There?
There are currently twenty Persona games. This number includes various expanded versions of the mainline entries, such as re-releases with additional story content or complete remakes. While direct ports and remasters are not included in this count, we'll highlight every alternate version of each game in the listings below.
Which Persona Game Should You Play First?
For newcomers, diving into Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is a safe bet. These are the latest iterations of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, and are available on PC and most major consoles, with the exception of Persona 3 Reload, which isn't available on Nintendo Switch.
If you're worried about missing out on the story by starting with a later game, rest assured that each of these titles tells a new, self-contained story with fresh characters, making them ideal starting points. To help narrow your choice, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links featured in each game to find what resonates with you.
Persona 3 Reload
54
Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X.
See it at Amazon
Persona 4 Golden
42
Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch
See it at Nintendo
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 warm reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If…, another spin-off featuring high-schoolers battling demons. Revelations: Persona expanded this concept into a full-fledged dungeon-crawling RPG set in the town of Mikage-cho, where a group of high schoolers combat a supernatural uprising. Utilizing their awakened Personas, they fight shadows, explore dungeons, level up, and strengthen their party, laying the groundwork for the franchise by introducing key elements like Personas in combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast of heroes.
2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
The second entry in the series, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, was released in 1999 and follows a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou. Their mission is to thwart the nefarious plans of a mysterious villain, Joker, and his cult, the Masked Circle, who bring rumors to life in the town of Sumaru. The gameplay focuses on dungeon exploration, Persona combat, and party development, setting the stage for a direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, released just a year later.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
Continuing the story from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment elevates side character Maya Amano to the protagonist role. Tasked with investigating a new rumor about the Joker Curse, Maya and her allies confront a recurring enemy in a turn-based, dungeon-crawling adventure.
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 represents a significant evolution in the series, introducing a daily calendar system that splits gameplay between attending school, building friendships, and battling shadows in the mystical realm of Tartarus. The protagonist, Makoto Yuki, navigates the Dark Hour, a mysterious time where ordinary people are trapped, and uncovers a plot threatening the world. Persona 3 introduced pivotal mechanics like social links and day-to-day activities, which have since become signature elements of the franchise.
Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.
Alternate Versions of Persona 3:
Persona 3 has seen multiple re-releases. Persona 3 FES included an additional chapter called The Answer and an alternate campaign with a female protagonist. Persona 3 Portable offered a portable version with the female protagonist route but excluded The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a modern remake of the base game, though it does not include The Answer or the female protagonist route.
5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)
A rhythm-based dancing spin-off, Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight takes place during the main campaign. Elizabeth challenges the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, set in a dream but canon to the story, featuring dance routines to iconic Persona 3 tracks.
6. Persona 4 (2008) / Persona 4 Golden (2012)
Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami, a high schooler from the city, who moves to live with his uncle and cousin. A series of violent murders leads Yu and his friends to a mysterious realm accessible through TV monitors, where they use their Personas to combat supernatural forces and solve the mystery. Building on Persona 3's mechanics, Persona 4 utilizes the calendar system to balance school life with dungeon exploration.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, is an expanded version with new story content and an additional dungeon, considered the definitive way to experience the game.
7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
Set during the timelines of Persona 3 and Persona 4, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is a crossover that traps both the S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad in a warped version of Yasogami High School. The teams collaborate to solve the mystery and escape, exploring a labyrinth and engaging in traditional dungeon-crawling gameplay.
Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)
A fighting game spin-off that continues the stories of Persona 3 and 4, Persona 4 Arena features Yu Narukami returning to Inaba for a mysterious fighting tournament in the TV world. Players control iconic Persona characters, battling against allies and members of the Shadow Operatives from Persona 3.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
Following directly after Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax sees the Persona 4 squad teaming up with the Shadow Operatives to tackle the ongoing fighting tournament in the TV world. The game expands the roster with returning characters, enhancing the fighting game experience.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
A rhythm-based dancing game, Persona 4: Dancing All Night continues the storyline with the Investigation Squad performing routines to Persona tracks in an alternate dimension known as the Midnight Stage, offering a canon extension of the narrative.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)
Set in Tokyo, Persona 5 follows protagonist Joker, who, on probation for a crime he didn't commit, discovers a supernatural dimension allowing him and his friends to infiltrate palaces and change the hearts of wrongdoers. Known as the Phantom Thieves, their actions make them notorious. Persona 5 builds on the established formula with expansive story-focused levels, a negotiation system, and a new dungeon system called Mementos, becoming Atlus's best-selling game and a fan favorite.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal, released in 2019, adds significant content including a new companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the ultimate version of the game.
12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth is another crossover that traps the Phantom Thieves, the S.E.E.S team, and the Investigation Squad in a movie theater. They explore movies to fix their endings, engaging in first-person dungeon exploration and turn-based battles, set simultaneously during the timelines of Persona 3, 4, and 5.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
Set during the events of Persona 5, Persona 5 Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off similar to the XCOM series. The Phantom Thieves are transported to the Kingdoms, where they must save their brainwashed allies and return home, using a tactical grid-based combat system to fight against Tyrant Marie's forces.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)
In this third rhythm-based dancing 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.
15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves during a summer vacation. Drawn into the Metaverse via the EMMA app, they don their gear once more to uncover the truth behind EMMA and its impact on Tokyo. Strikers introduces real-time combat inspired by the Dynasty Warriors series, allowing the team to battle large hordes of enemies with combos and Personas.
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 were treated to two significant releases: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from Atlus's Studio Zero. Following Metaphor's success and numerous awards, Sega expressed their commitment to further invest in Atlus and the Persona IP during a developers' Q&A session.
The next project to keep an eye on is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game released in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024, with a Japanese release on the horizon following a closed beta sign-up in October. A global release is anticipated, though no official details have been announced yet. The Phantom X offers an original story set within the Persona 5 universe, featuring new characters taking up the mantle of the Phantom Thieves.
The much-anticipated Persona 6 is expected to be the next mainline RPG in the series, though Atlus has yet to confirm its development officially.
