With the release of *Persona 5 Royal*, Atlus' *Persona* series has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the JRPG genre. *Persona 5*, in particular, has become so iconic that fans travel to Shibuya station 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-see for enthusiasts.
Despite its current fame, the *Persona* series had a humble beginning as a spin-off of Atlus' *Shin Megami Tensei* franchise, with the first game released nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the numbering might suggest, there are actually six mainline *Persona* games, not including various spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced editions. It's worth noting that *Metaphor: ReFantazio* is not part of the *Persona* series.
Exploring the rich 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 all the mainline *Persona* games. Be prepared, you might need to dust off your PSP.
Revelations: Persona
| Platforms | PS1, PlayStation Classic, PSP |
*Revelations: Persona*, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, also saw releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The game's narrative revolves around heroes gaining their personas through 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 a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, with Atlus' commitment to remaking older *Persona* titles, a modern remastered version might be on the horizon.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita |
Also known as *Persona 2: Innocent Sin*, this sequel was initially released in Japan for the PlayStation in 1999, with a localized version for the PSP in 2011 and availability on the PlayStation Vita. The story follows high school students in Sumaru City battling a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors alter reality. Unfortunately, there's no modern console version available yet.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita, PS3 |
*Eternal Punishment* is a direct sequel to *Innocent Sin*, released in 2000. It continues the story of the "Joker Curse" but through the eyes of a teenage reporter. It saw a simultaneous North American release on the PlayStation and later a PSP remake in 2011, which was also available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 in 2013. Like its predecessor, it's not available on modern hardware, but a potential remake could be in the works.
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, released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America. The game explores themes of death and time anomalies known as the "Dark Hour." *Persona 3 FES*, with an additional epilogue, was released for the PS3. *Persona 3 Portable*, an abridged version, was initially for the PSP but later made available on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical releases in 2023. The latest iteration, *Persona 3 Reload*, released in 2024, caters to fans of *Persona 5 Royal* and is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.
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*, released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2, is a beloved murder mystery where teens use their personas to solve a series of murders. The enhanced version, *Persona 4 Golden*, initially released for the PlayStation Vita in 2012, is now available on nearly every platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with physical versions for all 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 5* catapulted the series into mainstream gaming culture, released for PS3 and PS4 in 2016 in Japan and 2017 worldwide. The definitive version, *Persona 5 Royal*, released in North America in March 2020, introduced players to the world of "palaces" and the Phantom Thieves. *Persona 5 Royal* is now available on PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital options available on respective platform stores.
