With the release of *Persona 5 Royal*, Atlus' *Persona* series has firmly established itself as one of the most iconic JRPG franchises. *Persona 5*, in particular, has become so iconic that fans visit Shibuya station to capture the famous shot of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. While the station has undergone renovations, the angle can still be found.
However, the success of *Persona* was not immediate. It originated as a spin-off of Atlus' *Shin Megami Tensei* series, with the first game debuting nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the titles might suggest, there are actually six mainline *Persona* games, not including spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions. It's worth noting that *Metaphor: ReFantazio* is not considered part of the *Persona* series.
Exploring the rich 30-year history of the JRPG series is highly rewarding, though some titles are more accessible than others. Here's a guide on where you can legally play all the mainline *Persona* games. Be prepared; you might need to invest in a PSP.
Revelations: Persona
| Platforms | PS1, PlayStation Classic, PSP |
*Revelations: Persona*, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, also saw releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The game follows heroes who gain their personas through fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most recent re-release was on the PlayStation Classic in 2018. No modern hardware version exists, so you'll need a physical copy for PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, Atlus continues to remake older *Persona* games, so a modern remaster could be on the horizon.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita |
Also known as *Persona 2: Innocent Sin*, this sequel was released for the PlayStation in 1999 but only in Japan. It wasn't until 2011 that a localized version reached North America and Europe via the PSP. It's also available on the PlayStation Vita. Unfortunately, no modern console version exists. The game follows high school students in Sumaru as they confront a villain named Joker, whose rumors alter reality.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita, PS3 |
*Eternal Punishment* directly follows *Innocent Sin* and was released in 2000. It continues the "Joker Curse" storyline but with a new protagonist, a teenage reporter. It saw a simultaneous North American release on PlayStation in 2000 and a PSP remake in 2011, which was also available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 in 2013. Despite its availability, there's no modern hardware version yet. Rumors suggest Atlus might be planning a combined remake of *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. Initially released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America, it explores teens grappling with the concept of death and a time anomaly called the "Dark Hour". *Persona 3 FES*, with an additional epilogue, was released the following year for PS3. The abridged *Persona 3 Portable*, originally for PSP, is now available on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical versions released in 2023. The latest remake, *Persona 3 Reload*, released in 2024, is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, appealing to *Persona 5 Royal* fans. Physical versions are available 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 |
*Persona 4*, released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2, delves into a murder mystery where teens use their personas to solve crimes. The game is highly acclaimed. *Persona 4 Golden*, an enhanced version released in 2012 for the PlayStation Vita, is now available on a wide range of platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Physical versions 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* garnered attention, *Persona 5* propelled the series to global fame. Released simultaneously for PS3 and PS4 in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017, it introduced the world to the Phantom Thieves and the concept of "palaces". The enhanced version, *Persona 5 Royal*, released in North America in March 2020, captivated audiences during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. *Persona 5 Royal* is now available on nearly all modern platforms: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital versions available.
