"Legal Play Options for All Persona Games in 2025"

Following the release of *Persona 5 Royal*, Atlus' *Persona* series has firmly established itself as an iconic JRPG franchise. *Persona 5* in particular has become so iconic that fans, often referred to as "gamer-tourists," travel to Shibuya station in Tokyo to capture the famous scene of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Despite recent renovations at the station, the angle from which to take this photo still exists.

The success of the *Persona* series, however, was not an overnight phenomenon. Originating as a spin-off of Atlus' other renowned RPG series, *Shin Megami Tensei*, 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* does not count as part of the *Persona* series.

Exploring the rich, 30-year history of the *Persona* series is highly rewarding, though some titles are more accessible than others. For those interested in diving into the series, here's a guide on where you can legally play each mainline *Persona* game. Be prepared, you might need to get your hands on a PSP.

Revelations: Persona

*Revelations: Persona*, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, also saw subsequent releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The game's narrative revolves around heroes who gain their personas following a dramatic session of fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most recent hardware on which this game has been released is the PlayStation Classic, Sony’s 2018 reimagining of the original PlayStation. As of now, there are no versions available on modern hardware. To play it, you would need to find a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, given Atlus' commitment to remastering older *Persona* titles, there's hope for a future modern release.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Also known as *Persona 2: Innocent Sin*, this game was initially released for the PlayStation in 1999, but only in Japan. It wasn't until over a decade later, in 2011, that a localized version was made available on the PSP, with compatibility extending to the PlayStation Vita. The story follows a group of high school students in the fictional town of Sumaru as they confront a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors have the power to alter reality. Unfortunately, there's no way to play this game on modern consoles at present.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

*Eternal Punishment* is the direct sequel to *Innocent Sin*, released in the year 2000. Set a few months after the events of *Innocent Sin*, the game continues the narrative of the "Joker Curse" but from the perspective of a different protagonist, a teenage reporter. Unlike its predecessor, *Eternal Punishment* saw a simultaneous release in North America on the PlayStation. It was remade for the PSP in 2011 and made available on the PlayStation Network, which allowed PS3 owners to play it in 2013. While it's not currently available on modern hardware, there's speculation that Atlus might consider a remastered release for both *Innocent Sin* and *Eternal Punishment*.

Persona 3

*Persona 3* marked the moment when the series truly stepped out from the *Shin Megami Tensei* franchise's shadow. Launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America, it follows a group of teenagers grappling with the concept of death as they explore a mysterious phenomenon known as the "Dark Hour." An expanded version, *Persona 3 FES*, which included an additional epilogue, was released the following year and is playable on the PS3.

*Persona 3* has undergone several remakes. *Persona 3 Portable*, an abridged version, was initially released for the PSP and later made available on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Physical copies for Xbox One, Switch, and PS4 were released in 2023, and some consider *Portable* to be the definitive *Persona 3* experience. 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 PC, with physical versions for PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

Persona 4

Just two years after *Persona 3*, *Persona 4* was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2008. This game introduces players to a classic murder mystery, where a group of teenagers use their personas to solve a series of killings. *Persona 4* has garnered immense affection from fans.

The enhanced version, *Persona 4 Golden*, was released for the PlayStation Vita in 2012 and is now available across a wide range of platforms including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Physical versions are available for all platforms except PC.

Persona 5

While *Persona 4* caught the attention of many, *Persona 5* propelled the series into mainstream gaming culture. Originally released for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in Japan in 2016 and globally in 2017, the definitive version, *Persona 5 Royal*, was released a few years later. Its North American release in March 2020 coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a vivid escape into Tokyo.

*Persona 5* follows a protagonist, codenamed Joker, who, after being wrongfully accused of assault, moves to Tokyo to start anew. He soon becomes entangled in the world of "palaces," metaphysical realms born from people's distorted desires. The Phantom Thieves and their "take your heart" calling cards are central to this game's narrative.

*Persona 5 Royal* is now accessible on nearly all modern platforms including PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital copies available through various online stores.