The Persona series, which began as a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, has evolved into a powerhouse within the realm of modern RPGs. With its compelling narratives, deep character development, and innovative gameplay, Persona has not only secured its place in video gaming but has also expanded into a multimedia empire, including anime adaptations and stage plays. The series continues to captivate audiences worldwide, showing no signs of slowing down.
With the recent release of Persona 3 Reload for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, new fans are eager to dive into this universe. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off in the series, including recommendations for newcomers and both chronological and release order listings.
Jump to:
- How to play in order
- How to play by release date
- Upcoming releases
How Many Persona Games Are There?
There are currently twenty Persona games. These include mainline entries as well as expanded versions and remakes, which add new story content or enhance the gaming experience. We will list every alternate version of each game in the following sections.
Which Persona Game Should You Play First?
For newcomers, starting with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is highly recommended. 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 on the Nintendo Switch.
New players can jump into any of these games without missing out on the overarching story, as each entry features a new narrative with distinct characters. To choose the right game for you, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to see which one resonates with you.
Persona 3 Reload
Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X.
See it at Amazon
Persona 4 Golden
Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch
See it at Nintendo
Persona 5 Royal
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 first game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was Atlus's response to the positive reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If... Capitalizing on the appeal of high schoolers battling demons, this game introduced a full dungeon-crawling RPG set in the town of Mikage-cho. Players control a group of high schoolers using their awakened Personas to combat shadows and explore dungeons, laying the foundation for the series with elements like the Velvet Room and a teenage cast.
2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
The second entry, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, follows a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou. They embark on a mission to defeat the villain Joker and the Masked Circle cult, whose evil plot turns rumors into reality in the town of Sumaru. The game features dungeon exploration, Persona combat, and shadow battles, and it was followed by a direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
Continuing from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment shifts the protagonist role to Maya Amano, who investigates a phenomenon called the Joker Curse. The gameplay remains focused on turn-based combat and dungeon exploration, with players building their party and using Personas to battle shadows.
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 marked a significant evolution in the series by introducing a daily calendar system. Players control Makoto Yuki, who navigates the mysterious Dark Hour and explores Tartarus, a demonic tower. The game introduced social links and daily activities, becoming a landmark title in the franchise.
Alternate Versions of Persona 3:
Persona 3 has been re-released multiple times. Persona 3 FES added an extra chapter and a female protagonist route. Persona 3 Portable included the female protagonist but not the extra chapter, while Persona 3 Reload is a full remake for modern consoles, omitting the extra chapter and female protagonist route.
Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.
5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)
A rhythm-based dancing spin-off, Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight, challenges the S.E.E.S. team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room during a dream sequence that remains canon to the main storyline.
6. Persona 4 (2008) / Persona 4 Golden (2012)
Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami as he investigates a series of violent murders linked to a mysterious otherworldly realm accessible through TV monitors. The game builds on Persona 3's mechanics, using a calendar system and social links alongside dungeon exploration and combat.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, added new story content and an additional dungeon, widely regarded as the definitive way to experience the game.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
A crossover between Persona 3 and 4, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth traps the S.E.E.S. team and the Investigation Squad inside a warped version of Yasogami High School. They must navigate a labyrinth and uncover an original story set during their respective timelines.
Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)
A fighting game spin-off, Persona 4 Arena continues the narratives of both Persona 3 and 4. Yu Narukami returns to Inaba and enters a mysterious fighting tournament in the TV world, facing off against allies and 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 and the Shadow Operatives teaming up to battle the forces behind the fighting tournament. The game expands the roster with returning characters from Persona 3.
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 features the Investigation Squad performing routines to Persona tracks. The game offers a canon continuation of the storyline, with the team exploring the Midnight Stage.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)
Set in Tokyo, Persona 5 follows Joker, a student on probation after being framed for a crime. He and his friends discover a supernatural realm and form the Phantom Thieves to change the hearts of corrupt individuals. Persona 5 became Atlus's best-selling game, significantly expanding the franchise's fanbase.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal expands the original game with new content, including a new companion, dungeon, and semester.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth features a crossover between Persona 3, 4, and 5 characters. The Phantom Thieves find themselves trapped in a movie theater and must navigate various movie worlds to escape.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
A strategy-focused spin-off, Persona 5 Tactica follows the Phantom Thieves in an alternate realm called the Kingdoms. They must save their brainwashed allies and escape, using tactical grid-based combat.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)
Another rhythm-based dancing spin-off, Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight sees the Phantom Thieves challenged to a dance-off in the Velvet Room by Caroline and Justine.
15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation that leads them back into the Metaverse. The game introduces real-time combat, blending elements from the Dynasty Warriors series.
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 enjoyed two releases: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from Atlus's Studio Zero. Following the success of Metaphor, Sega has expressed interest in further investing in Atlus and the Persona series.
The next Persona project to watch is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game set in the Persona 5 universe with an original story. It has been released in several Asian markets, with a Japanese release expected soon and a global release anticipated, though no official date has been announced.
Persona 6 is the next eagerly awaited mainline entry in the RPG series, though Atlus has yet to officially confirm its development.
Latest Downloads
Downlaod
![[18+] Starlewd Valley:Re!](https://images.gdnmi.com/uploads/37/173149215167347937c925c.jpg)
Top News
