Originally conceived as a spin-off from the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a juggernaut in the world of modern RPGs. Its expansive universe has transcended video games, spawning multiple sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays. With the recent release of Persona 3 Reload on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, newcomers to the series might be curious about the best starting point. Below, we provide a comprehensive overview of all Persona games and spin-offs, including the optimal entry point for new players, as well as their chronological and release order.
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How Many Persona Games Are There?
In total, there are currently twenty Persona games. These include expanded versions of mainline entries, featuring new story content or remakes. We will highlight every alternate version of each game in the lists below.
Which Persona Game Should You Play First?
For newcomers, diving into Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is an excellent choice. These are the latest iterations of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, and are available on PC and major consoles, with the exception of Persona 3 Reload on Nintendo Switch.
If you're worried about missing out on the story by starting with a later game, rest assured that each mainline entry—Persona 3, 4, or 5—introduces a new narrative with original characters, largely independent of previous entries. To help decide, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to see which one resonates with you.
Persona 3 Reload
54 Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X. See it at Amazon
Persona 4 Golden
42 Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Nintendo
Persona 5 Royal
103 Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Amazon
Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Chronological Order
These summaries contain mild spoilers, including details on characters, settings, and key plot points.
1. Revelations: Persona (1996)
The inaugural game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was inspired by the success of Shin Megami Tensei: If… and focused on high-schoolers battling demons. Set in Mikage-cho, the game follows a group of students using their awakened Personas to combat a supernatural uprising. It established core elements like Persona combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast.
2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
The second entry in the series, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, released in 1999, follows protagonist Tatsuya Suou and his friends in Sumaru as they confront the villainous Joker and the cult of the Masked Circle. The game explores the phenomenon of rumors coming to life, maintaining the series' focus on dungeon exploration and Persona combat.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
Following Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment shifts the protagonist role to Maya Amano, who investigates the Joker Curse. The gameplay remains rooted in turn-based battles and dungeon exploration, continuing the narrative from Innocent Sin.
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 revolutionized the series with its daily calendar system, balancing school life and social interactions with dungeon crawling in Tartarus. Protagonist Makoto Yuki navigates the Dark Hour, uncovering a plot threatening the world. This entry introduced social links and daily activities, becoming a cornerstone of the franchise.
Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.
Alternate Versions of Persona 3:
Persona 3 has been re-released multiple times. Persona 3 FES expanded the game with The Answer chapter and an alternate female protagonist. Persona 3 Portable included the female protagonist route but not The Answer, while Persona 3 Reload is a full remake for modern consoles, excluding The Answer and the female protagonist route.
5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)
A rhythm-based spin-off, Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight, features Elizabeth challenging the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. The events occur in a dream but are canon, involving dance routines to Persona 3 tracks.
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 murders linked to a mysterious TV world. The game expands on Persona 3's mechanics, using a calendar system and deep social links to enhance the gameplay experience.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, added new story content and a dungeon, widely regarded as the definitive version of the game.
7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
A crossover occurring during the timelines of Persona 3 and 4, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth traps the S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad in a warped version of Yasogami High School. Players navigate a labyrinth, engaging in traditional dungeon-crawler gameplay.
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 Persona 3 and 4, with Yu Narukami returning to Inaba for a tournament in the TV world. It features a roster of characters from both games.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
Following directly after Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax expands the roster and continues the story, with the Persona 4 team and the Shadow Operatives battling in the TV world.
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, follows the Investigation Squad's adventures in the Midnight Stage, offering a canon continuation of the storyline.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)
Persona 5 introduces players to Tokyo and protagonist Joker, who forms the Phantom Thieves to change the hearts of corrupt individuals within mystical palaces. The game builds on previous entries with new systems like Mementos, becoming Atlus' best-selling game.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal adds new content, including a companion, dungeon, and additional semester, making it the most comprehensive version of the game.
12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth features a crossover of characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5 trapped in a movie theater. They explore movie-themed dungeons to escape back to their timelines.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
Set during Persona 5, Persona 5 Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off where the Phantom Thieves navigate an alternate realm, the Kingdoms, to rescue their brainwashed friends. The game features a tactical grid-based combat system.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)
In this rhythm-based spin-off, Caroline and Justine challenge the Phantom Thieves to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, featuring dance routines to Persona 5 tracks.
15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves during a summer vacation, leading them into the Metaverse via an app called EMMA. 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 enjoyed two releases from Atlus: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from Studio Zero. Following Metaphor's success, Sega announced further investment in Atlus and the Persona series.
The next anticipated project is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game released in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024, with a Japanese release on the horizon following a closed beta in October. A global release is expected, though details are yet to be confirmed. The Phantom X introduces an original story within the Persona 5 universe, featuring new characters joining the Phantom Thieves.
Persona 6, though not officially confirmed, is eagerly awaited as the next mainline entry in the RPG series.
