Following the acclaimed release of *Persona 5 Royal*, Atlus’ *Persona* series has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the JRPG genre. *Persona 5*, in particular, has become so iconic that fans from around the world visit Shibuya station to capture the same angle where the Phantom Thieves are depicted, even though the station has since been remodeled.
However, the journey to this level of recognition was gradual. *Persona* began as a spin-off from Atlus' *Shin Megami Tensei* series, with the first game launching nearly three decades ago. Interestingly, despite the numbering, there are actually six mainline *Persona* games, not counting various spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions. It's worth noting that *Metaphor: ReFantazio* is not part of the *Persona* series.
Exploring the rich 30-year history of this JRPG franchise is highly rewarding, though accessing all the games can be challenging. Here’s a guide on where you can play each of the mainline *Persona* games legally, with a heads up that you might need a PSP.
Revelations: Persona
| Platforms | PS1, PlayStation Classic, PSP |
*Revelations: Persona* debuted in 1996 on the original PlayStation, with later releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The story revolves around heroes who gain their personas through fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most recent hardware release was on the PlayStation Classic in 2018, meaning you’ll need a physical copy and a PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP to play it. While there's no modern version available yet, Atlus has shown interest in remastering older *Persona* titles, so there's hope for future releases.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita |
Also known as *Persona 2: Innocent Sin*, this sequel was initially released in Japan in 1999 and didn't reach North America and Europe until its PSP port in 2011. It's also available on the PlayStation Vita. The game follows a group of high schoolers in Sumaru battling a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors can alter reality. Like its predecessor, *Innocent Sin* is not yet available on modern consoles.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita, PS3 |
*Eternal Punishment* is a direct follow-up to *Innocent Sin*, released in 2000. The narrative shifts to a new protagonist, a teen reporter, and continues the saga of the "Joker Curse." Unlike *Innocent Sin*, it was released simultaneously in North America and saw a PSP remake in 2011, available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 owners in 2013. While not on modern hardware, there’s potential for a combined 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, released on PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America. The game explores themes of death through the "Dark Hour" phenomenon. An expanded version, *Persona 3 FES*, including an epilogue, was released for the PS3. The series saw further iterations with *Persona 3 Portable*, initially for PSP and later expanded to PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical releases in 2023. The latest version, *Persona 3 Reload*, released in 2024, appeals to fans of *Persona 5 Royal* and is available 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 |
Released in 2008 for PlayStation 2, *Persona 4* is a beloved murder mystery where teens use their personas to solve a series of murders. The enhanced version, *Persona 4 Golden*, released on PlayStation Vita in 2012, is now widely available across multiple platforms including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series 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 |
*Persona 5* catapulted the series into mainstream recognition, launching on PS3 and PS4 in 2016 in Japan and 2017 worldwide. The definitive version, *Persona 5 Royal*, released in 2020 and follows the story of a protagonist, codename Joker, who battles delusions within metaphysical "palaces." *Persona 5 Royal* is now available across modern platforms including PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital copies available.
