Atlus' *Persona* series, particularly *Persona 5*, has become a JRPG icon. Fans even visit Shibuya Station to recreate iconic scenes from the game (though the station's been remodeled, the spirit remains!). This success, however, wasn't overnight. *Persona*, a *Shin Megami Tensei* spin-off, debuted nearly three decades ago. And contrary to what the game titles might suggest, there are six mainline entries, not five, excluding spin-offs and remakes. (*Metaphor: ReFantazio* is not considered part of the mainline series.)
Exploring this rich 30-year history is rewarding, though some games are harder to find than others. Here's where to legally play all the mainline *Persona* games. A PSP might be a worthwhile investment.
Revelations: Persona
| Platforms | PS1, PlayStation Classic, PSP |
Released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, with later releases on Windows and PSP, Revelations: Persona sees our heroes gaining Personas after a fateful fortune-telling session. Unfortunately, its most recent official re-release was on the PlayStation Classic. No modern hardware versions exist, requiring a physical copy for PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. Hopefully, a remastered version will emerge.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2 — Innocent Sin
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita |
Initially released in Japan in 1999, Persona 2: Innocent Sin arrived in North America and Europe on PSP in 2011, and is also available on PlayStation Vita. This remains its most recent release; no modern console versions exist. The story follows high schoolers in Sumaru battling a mysterious villain, Joker, whose rumors warp reality.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita, PS3 |
A direct sequel to Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment (released in 2000) takes place months later, continuing the "Joker Curse" with a new teenage reporter protagonist. Unlike Innocent Sin, it had a simultaneous North American PlayStation release in 2000 and received a PSP remake in 2011, also available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 in 2013. Currently unavailable on modern hardware, a joint remake with Innocent Sin seems plausible.
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, released on PlayStation 2 in 2006 (Japan) and 2007 (North America), marked the series' full independence from Shin Megami Tensei. Teens grapple with death while investigating the "Dark Hour" time anomaly. Persona 3 FES, with an epilogue, followed on PS3. Persona 3 Portable, a more accessible version, launched on PSP and later on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The latest version, Persona 3 Reload (2024), is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Persona 4
| Platforms (Persona 4) | PlayStation 2 |
| Platforms (Persona 4 Golden) | PlayStation Vita, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC |
Released in 2008 for PlayStation 2, Persona 4 is a beloved murder mystery where teens use Personas to solve crimes. The enhanced Persona 4 Golden (2012, PlayStation Vita) is now available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and 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 (2016/2017, PS3/PS4) catapulted the series to mainstream fame. The enhanced Persona 5 Royal (2020) follows Joker, wrongfully accused of assault, who gets involved with "Palaces," metaphysical places born from delusions. Royal is available on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
