Originally a spin-off from the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a major force in the world of modern RPGs. With its compelling narratives, rich characters, and innovative gameplay, Persona has not only captured the hearts of gamers but has also expanded into a multimedia phenomenon, featuring sequels, remakes, anime, and even stage plays. As the latest installment, Persona 3 Reload, hits the shelves on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, new and returning players alike are eager to dive in. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to all the games and spin-offs in the series, including the best starting points for newcomers, and both chronological and release order listings.
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How Many Persona Games Are There?
There are currently **twenty Persona games** in total. This count includes several expanded versions of the mainline entries, such as re-releases with new story content or complete remakes. We'll detail each alternate version in the listings below, excluding direct ports and remasters.
Which Persona Game Should You Play First?
For those new to the series, starting with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is a solid choice. These are the most recent iterations of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, available on PC and most major consoles (except for Persona 3 Reload, which isn't on Nintendo Switch). Each of these games features a standalone story with unique characters, making them perfect entry points. To decide which one suits you best, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links to see what 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 descriptions contain mild spoilers regarding characters, settings, and story beats.
1. Revelations: Persona (1996)
The inaugural game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was inspired by the positive reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If… and introduced the concept of high school students battling demons. Set in Mikage-cho, players control a group of teens using their awakened Personas to fight shadows and explore dungeons, laying the groundwork for the franchise's core elements like Persona combat, the Velvet Room, and a youthful cast.
2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
Following the success of the first game, Persona 2: Innocent Sin introduced a new story centered around high school students led by Tatsuya Suou, who fight against a mysterious villain, Joker, and the cult of the Masked Circle. The narrative revolves around rumors turning into reality in Sumaru City, with familiar gameplay mechanics of dungeon exploration and Persona battles.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
A direct sequel to Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment shifts the protagonist role to Maya Amano, who investigates the Joker Curse. Continuing the story and gameplay style of its predecessor, players engage in turn-based battles and dungeon exploration to combat the returning threat.
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 in the series, introducing a daily calendar system that balanced school life and social interactions with battling shadows in Tartarus. The story follows Makoto Yuki as he uncovers a sinister plot during the Dark Hour. Key mechanics like social links and day-to-day activities became staples of the franchise.
Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.
Alternate Versions of Persona 3:
Persona 3 FES expanded the original with The Answer and a female protagonist route. Persona 3 Portable included the female protagonist but omitted The Answer. 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 set during the main campaign, Dancing in Moonlight features Elizabeth challenging the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. The events take place within a dream but are canon to the story, featuring 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 a mysterious world accessible through TV screens. Building on Persona 3's mechanics, players manage school life and social links while exploring dungeons and battling with Personas.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
Persona 4 Golden expanded the original with new story content and an additional dungeon, considered the definitive version of the game.
7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
A crossover set during the events of Persona 3 and 4, Persona Q traps the S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad in a warped version of Yasogami High School. Players explore a labyrinth, engage in turn-based battles, and uncover a new story that nods to the series' dungeon-crawler roots.
Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)
As the first major spin-off, Persona 4 Arena continues the narratives of Persona 3 and 4, featuring a fighting game format where Yu Narukami and others compete in a mysterious tournament within the TV world.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
Following directly after Arena, Ultimax expands the roster and continues the story with the Persona 4 squad and Shadow Operatives fighting in the TV World.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
A rhythm-based game, Dancing All Night follows the Investigation Squad as they dance in an alternate dimension, the Midnight Stage, with a storyline that's canon to the series.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)
Set in Tokyo, Persona 5 follows Joker and his friends as they form the Phantom Thieves, infiltrating palaces to change the hearts of corrupt individuals. The game introduced new mechanics like Mementos and became Atlus's best-selling title, cementing its place in gaming culture.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal adds new content, including a companion, dungeon, and semester, enhancing the original experience.
12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth features a crossover with characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5, trapped in a movie theater and venturing into film worlds to escape.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
Set during Persona 5, Tactica offers a strategy-based gameplay reminiscent of XCOM, where the Phantom Thieves battle in an alternate realm to save their brainwashed allies.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)
The third rhythm-based spin-off, Dancing in Starlight sees the Phantom Thieves perform dance routines in the Velvet Room, challenged by Caroline and Justine.
15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
Set post-Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation that turns into a Metaverse adventure. It features real-time combat inspired by Dynasty Warriors.
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?
2024 brought two notable releases for Atlus fans: 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.
The next project on the horizon 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 pending after a closed beta. A global release is anticipated, though no official date has been announced. The Phantom X features an original story set in the Persona 5 universe with new characters.
Anticipation is also building for Persona 6, the next mainline RPG entry, though Atlus has yet to confirm its development officially.
