The Persona series, originally a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, has evolved into a standout name in the world of modern RPGs. Its influence spans multiple major sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays, cementing its status as a multimedia juggernaut. The latest installment, Persona 3 Reload, now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, marks a significant moment for the series, inviting both new and returning players to dive into its captivating world.
For those new to the series, deciding where to start can be daunting. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off in the Persona franchise, including recommendations for entry points for newcomers, as well as the chronological and release order of the series.
Jump to:
- How to play in order
- How to play by release date
- Upcoming releases
How Many Persona Games Are There?
Currently, there are twenty Persona games in the franchise. This total includes expanded versions of the mainline entries, such as re-releases with new story content or remakes. While we exclude direct ports or remasters, we'll highlight every alternate version of each game in the listings below.
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, except for Persona 3 Reload, which is not yet on 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 fresh characters largely unconnected to previous installments. To help you decide, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to see which one resonates with you the most.
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 inaugural game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was Atlus's response to the positive reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If…. It introduced a full dungeon-crawling RPG experience centered around high school students battling supernatural forces in Mikage-cho. Players use Personas to combat shadows and explore dungeons, laying the groundwork for the franchise with elements like the Velvet Room and a teenage cast of heroes.
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 as they combat a villain named Joker and his cult, the Masked Circle. The game delves into a plot where rumors come to life, requiring players to explore dungeons, use Personas, and fight shadows. A direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, followed a year later.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
Continuing from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment shifts the focus to Maya Amano, who investigates the Joker Curse. The gameplay remains centered on turn-based combat and dungeon exploration, with players using Personas to battle shadows and uncover the ongoing story.
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, introducing a daily calendar system that balanced school life and social interactions with nighttime battles in Tartarus. Protagonist Makoto Yuki navigates the Dark Hour, a mysterious time where he and his classmates fight to prevent a global threat. This entry introduced social links and day-to-day activities, becoming pivotal to 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 added The Answer and an alternate female protagonist route. Persona 3 Portable included the female route but omitted The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a full remake of the base game 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 challenges the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, set during a dream but canon to the story. Players perform dance routines to iconic 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 an otherworldly realm accessible via TV monitors. The game builds on Persona 3's mechanics, utilizing a calendar system for social interactions alongside dungeon exploration and Persona battles.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, expanded the original game with new story content and an additional dungeon, widely regarded as the definitive version.
7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
A crossover set during both 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, battling new enemies and experiencing an original story, harking back to the series' dungeon-crawler roots.
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, as Yu Narukami returns to Inaba for a mysterious tournament in the TV world. The game features a roster of iconic Persona characters, blending story elements with intense combat.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
Following Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax expands the fighting game's roster and storyline, with the Persona 4 squad and the Shadow Operatives teaming up to battle forces within the TV World.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
Another rhythm-based spin-off, Persona 4: Dancing All Night follows the Investigation Squad as they navigate the Midnight Stage, performing dance routines to iconic Persona tracks while continuing the storyline.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)
Set in Tokyo, Persona 5 follows protagonist Joker, on probation after being framed for a crime. He and his friends form the Phantom Thieves, infiltrating mystical palaces to change the hearts of wrongdoers. The game builds on the series' formula with a new dungeon system called Mementos, becoming Atlus's best-selling title.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal, an expanded version released in 2019, added new features, including a companion, dungeon, and an additional semester, making it the ultimate experience of Persona 5.
12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth brings together characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5 as they navigate a movie theater and enter various films to fix their endings. The game maintains the first-person dungeon exploration and turn-based combat.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
Set during Persona 5, Persona 5 Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off similar to XCOM. The Phantom Thieves enter an alternate realm, the Kingdoms, to rescue their brainwashed allies and confront Tyrant Marie, utilizing 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, the Phantom Thieves are challenged to a dance-off in the Velvet Room by Caroline and Justine, performing routines to Persona 5's catchy tracks.
15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation that turns into a Metaverse adventure. The game introduces real-time combat inspired by Dynasty Warriors, allowing players to battle large enemy hordes.
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, Atlus released two major titles: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from Studio Zero. Following Metaphor's success, Sega expressed interest in further investing in Atlus and the Persona franchise during a developers' Q&A session.The next project on the horizon is the free-to-play mobile game, Persona 5: The Phantom X, launched in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024, with a Japanese release pending after a closed beta in October. While a global release is anticipated, no official dates have been confirmed. The Phantom X introduces an original story within the Persona 5 universe, featuring new characters as Phantom Thieves.
Anticipation is also high for Persona 6, the next mainline RPG, though Atlus has yet to confirm its development officially.
