From humble beginnings as a *Shin Megami Tensei* spin-off, the *Persona* series has blossomed into a multimedia powerhouse, a major player in the modern RPG landscape. With sequels, remakes, anime, and even stage plays, its popularity shows no signs of waning. The recent release of *Persona 3 Reload* on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC has introduced a new wave of players, prompting the question: where's the best place to start?
This guide covers every *Persona* game and spin-off, outlining the ideal entry point for newcomers, and detailing both chronological and release order.
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- How to Play in Order
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How Many *Persona* Games Are There?
Currently, there are twenty *Persona* games. This includes expanded versions—re-releases with added content or full remakes. Direct ports and remasters are excluded, but alternate versions are noted below.
Which *Persona* Game Should You Play First?
For newcomers, *Persona 3 Reload*, *Persona 4 Golden*, or *Persona 5 Royal* are excellent starting points. These are the latest iterations of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, available on PC and most major consoles (*Persona 3 Reload* excludes Nintendo Switch). Each game features a self-contained narrative with unique characters, making them ideal entry points. Watch some gameplay videos and explore the social link aspects to determine which game best suits your preference.
Persona 3 Reload
Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X.
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Persona 4 Golden
Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch
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Persona 5 Royal
Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch
See it at Amazon
Every *Persona* Game and Spin-off in Chronological Order
(*Note: These descriptions may contain minor spoilers.*)
1. Revelations: Persona (1996)
The inaugural title, *Revelations: Persona*, built upon the success of *Shin Megami Tensei: If…*, focusing on high school students battling demons in Mikage-cho. It established core franchise elements: Persona wielding, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast.
2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
In Sumaru, malicious rumors come to life as protagonist Tatsuya Suou and his friends confront the villain Joker and the Masked Circle cult. Classic dungeon crawling, Persona use, and party leveling are central to the gameplay.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
A direct sequel featuring Maya Amano as the protagonist, investigating the "Joker Curse" rumor. The turn-based combat and dungeon crawling return, continuing the story from *Innocent Sin*.
Read our review of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
4. Persona 3 (2006) / Persona 3 FES (2007) / Persona 3 Portable (2009) / Persona 3 Reload (2024)
A significant evolution, *Persona 3* introduced a daily calendar system, balancing school life, friendships, and battles in the Dark Hour within Tartarus. Makoto Yuki confronts a demonic tower and a world-threatening plot. This entry solidified many series staples, including social links and daily activities.
Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.
Alternate Versions of Persona 3:
*Persona 3 FES* added "The Answer," and *Persona 3 Portable* featured a female protagonist route (but not "The Answer"). *Persona 3 Reload* is a 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 *Persona 3* main story, featuring dance battles in the Velvet Room.
6. Persona 4 (2008) / Persona 4 Golden (2012)
In rural Inaba, Yu Narukami investigates a series of murders linked to a mysterious world accessed through TV monitors. The calendar system, social links, and dungeon exploration return, building upon *Persona 3*'s mechanics.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
*Persona 4 Golden* is an enhanced re-release with new content and a dungeon.
7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
A crossover featuring characters from *Persona 3* and *Persona 4*, trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School. This spin-off returns to the series' dungeon-crawling roots.
Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)
The franchise's first fighting game, featuring characters from *Persona 3* and *Persona 4* in a mysterious tournament within the TV world.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
A sequel to *Persona 4 Arena*, expanding the roster and continuing the story.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
A rhythm game spin-off featuring the *Persona 4* cast in a canon continuation of the story.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)
Set in Tokyo, players take on the role of Joker, a probationer who becomes a Phantom Thief, infiltrating palaces and changing the hearts of evildoers. The game expands on previous entries' mechanics, introducing Mementos.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
*Persona 5 Royal* is an expanded version with new content, a companion, dungeon, and semester.
12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
Another crossover, this time characters from *Persona 3*, *4*, and *5* are trapped in a movie theater and must travel into the films to escape.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
A strategy spin-off set during the events of *Persona 5*, featuring tactical grid-based combat.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)
A rhythm game spin-off featuring the *Persona 5* cast.
15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
A spin-off set after *Persona 5*, featuring real-time combat inspired by the *Dynasty Warriors* franchise.
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 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*?
Following the 2024 releases of *Persona 3 Reload* and *Metaphor: ReFantazio*, Sega's continued investment in Atlus and the *Persona* IP is evident. The free-to-play mobile game, *Persona 5: The Phantom X*, is anticipated for global release following its launch in select Asian regions and a Japanese closed beta. While *Persona 6* remains unconfirmed, anticipation for the next mainline entry is high.
