With the release of *Persona 5 Royal*, Atlus' *Persona* series has cemented its status as an iconic JRPG franchise. *Persona 5* in particular has become so iconic that fans, dubbed "gamer-tourists," visit Shibuya station in Tokyo to capture the famous scene of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Though the station was remodeled, the angle remains a must-see for enthusiasts. This success, however, was built over decades, with *Persona* originally being a spin-off of Atlus' other notable series, *Shin Megami Tensei*. The first game debuted nearly thirty years ago, and contrary to what the numbering might suggest, there are actually six mainline *Persona* games, not counting the various spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions. For the record, *Metaphor: ReFantazio* is not part of the *Persona* series.
Exploring the rich 30-year history of this JRPG saga is highly rewarding, though some games are harder to come by. Here’s a guide on where to play all the mainline *Persona* games legally. Be prepared: you might need to dust off your old PSP.
Revelations: Persona
| Platforms | PS1, PlayStation Classic, PSP |
*Revelations: Persona*, launched in 1996 for the original PlayStation, saw further releases on Microsoft Windows and the PlayStation Portable. The game's story begins with the heroes gaining their personas through fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most recent hardware re-release was on the PlayStation Classic in 2018. There’s no modern console version available. To play, you'll need a physical copy and either a PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, given Atlus' commitment to remaking older *Persona* titles, fans hold out hope for a future remastered edition.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita |
Also known as *Persona 2: Innocent Sin*, this sequel hit the PlayStation in 1999, initially exclusive to Japan. A localized version for North America and Europe didn't arrive until 2011 on the PSP, and it's also playable on the PlayStation Vita. Set in the fictional town of Sumaru, the game follows a group of high school students battling a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors can warp reality. Unfortunately, there's no modern console version of *Innocent Sin* currently available.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita, PS3 |
*Eternal Punishment*, the direct sequel to *Innocent Sin*, released in 2000. This game picks up a few months later, focusing on the "Joker Curse" but with a new protagonist, a teenage reporter. It saw a simultaneous North American release on the PlayStation in 2000. A PSP remake in 2011 extended its availability, and it was accessible on the PlayStation Network for PS3 in 2013. Like its predecessor, *Eternal Punishment* isn't available on modern hardware, but there's speculation about a potential dual remake 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, releasing on PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America. It delves into themes of death as the protagonists investigate the "Dark Hour." The extended version, *Persona 3 FES*, with an added epilogue, became available for the PS3. *Persona 3 Portable*, an abridged version, initially released for the PSP, was later ported to PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical releases in 2023. Many consider *Portable* the definitive version. The latest iteration, *Persona 3 Reload* (2024), caters to fans of *Persona 5 Royal* and is playable on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, with physical copies 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 |
In 2008, *Persona 4* launched on the PlayStation 2, presenting a classic murder mystery where teens use their personas to solve a series of murders. The game's popularity is undeniable. The enhanced version, *Persona 4 Golden*, debuted on the PlayStation Vita in 2012 and is now available across numerous platforms, including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Physical copies 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 |
While *Persona 4* caught attention, *Persona 5* elevated the series to new heights. Released for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in 2016 in Japan and 2017 worldwide, its enhanced version, *Persona 5 Royal*, arrived in North America in March 2020. This version offers a deep dive into Tokyo's world of "palaces," born from people's delusions, with the protagonist, codenamed Joker, leading the Phantom Thieves in a quest to "take your heart." *Persona 5 Royal* is now accessible on nearly every modern platform, including PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital options available.
