In the wake of the release of Persona 5 Royal, Atlus' Persona series has firmly established itself as one of the most iconic JRPG franchises. Persona 5 in particular has achieved such a level of fame that fans, known as gamer-tourists, travel to Shibuya station to capture the iconic shot of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Although the station has been remodeled, the right angle can still be found to recreate this scene.
However, the success of the Persona series didn't happen overnight. Originally a spin-off of Atlus' other RPG franchise, Shin Megami Tensei, the first Persona game was released nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the game titles might suggest, there are actually six mainline Persona games, not counting the various spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions. It's worth noting that Metaphor: ReFantazio is not part of the Persona series.
Exploring the rich 30-year history of this JRPG franchise is highly rewarding, though some games are harder to find than others. Here's a guide on where you can legally play all the mainline Persona games. You might want to consider investing in a PSP.
Revelations: Persona
| Platforms | PS1, PlayStation Classic, PSP |
Revelations: Persona, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, has also seen releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. In this game, heroes gain their personas through a dramatic session of fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most recent re-release was on the PlayStation Classic in 2018, meaning there's no version available on modern hardware. You'll need to find a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, given Atlus' commitment to remaking older Persona games, a remastered version for modern platforms might be on the horizon.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita |
Also known simply as Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this game was first released on the PlayStation in 1999, but only in Japan. It wasn't until over a decade later, in 2011, that a localized version became available on the PSP. It's also playable on the PlayStation Vita. Unfortunately, there's no way to play Innocent Sin on modern consoles. The story follows a group of high schoolers in the fictional town of Sumaru as they confront a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors have the power to alter reality.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita, PS3 |
Eternal Punishment, the direct sequel to Innocent Sin, was released in 2000 and follows a new protagonist, a teenage reporter, a few months after the events of the previous game. While it shares a close narrative connection with Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment was more widely available, receiving a simultaneous North American release on the PlayStation. In 2011, it was remade for the PSP, and in 2013, this remake was made available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 users. Like its predecessor, it's not available on modern hardware, but there's hope that Atlus might consider a remastered release for 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 |
With Persona 3, the series truly emerged from the shadow of Shin Megami Tensei. Initially released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America, it follows a group of teens as they explore the mysteries of the "Dark Hour." An expanded version, Persona 3 FES, released the following year and includes an additional epilogue, playable on the PS3.
The series saw further remakes with Persona 3 Portable, initially released for the PSP, later becoming available on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical versions released in 2023. Many consider Portable to be the best iteration of Persona 3. The latest remake, Persona 3 Reload, released in 2024, is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, appealing particularly 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 |
Just two years after Persona 3, Persona 4 was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2008. This game, beloved by fans, takes the form of a classic murder mystery where a group of teens uses their personas to solve a series of murders. An enhanced version, Persona 4 Golden, was released for the PlayStation Vita in 2012 and is now available on a wide range of platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Physical versions are available for all these platforms except PC.
Persona 5
| Platforms (Persona 5) | PS3, PS4 |
| Platforms (Persona 5 Royal) | PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC |
Persona 4 turned heads, but Persona 5 transformed the series into a household name among gamers. Initially released for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017, the definitive version, Persona 5 Royal, was released a few years later. Notably, it was released in North America in March 2020, just as the world was beginning to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Persona 5 follows a protagonist, codenamed Joker, who, after being wrongfully accused of assault, moves to Tokyo to start anew. He soon becomes involved with the world of "palaces," metaphysical spaces born from people's delusions. The Phantom Thieves and their "take your heart" calling cards are central to this game.
Persona 5 Royal is now available on almost all modern platforms: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Both physical and digital copies are readily available through various online stores.
