With the release of *Persona 5 Royal*, Atlus' *Persona* series has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the JRPG genre. *Persona 5* has become so iconic that fans, often referred to as gamer-tourists, visit 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' success was a gradual build. Originally a spin-off of Atlus' *Shin Megami Tensei* franchise, the first *Persona* game was 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. To play, 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 schoolers in Sumaru City battling a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors alter reality. Unfortunately, there's no way to play this game on modern consoles, but fans remain hopeful for a future remaster.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita, PS3 |
*Eternal Punishment* is the direct sequel to *Innocent Sin*, released in 2000. It continues the story of the "Joker Curse" but through the eyes of a teenage reporter. Unlike its predecessor, it saw a simultaneous North American release on the PlayStation. The 2011 PSP remake was also available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 owners in 2013. While not available on modern hardware, there's speculation that Atlus might be planning a remastered release of 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 |
*Persona 3* marked the series' emergence from the *Shin Megami Tensei* shadow, released in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America for the PlayStation 2. The game explores themes of death and the "Dark Hour" time anomaly. *Persona 3 FES*, featuring 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, with physical versions 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 |
*Persona 4*, released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2, is a beloved murder mystery where teens use their personas to solve a series of killings. The enhanced version, *Persona 4 Golden*, 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. Physical versions are available for all 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 5* catapulted the series into mainstream gaming culture, released in 2016 for PS3 and PS4 in Japan and worldwide in 2017. The definitive version, *Persona 5 Royal*, released in North America in March 2020, offered a glimpse of Tokyo during the early days of the global shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The game follows a protagonist, codenamed Joker, who, after being wrongfully accused, moves to Tokyo and becomes involved with the "palaces" and the Phantom Thieves. *Persona 5 Royal* is now available on nearly all modern platforms, with both physical and digital copies accessible through various online stores.
