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Author: MiaReading:3
Following the release of Persona 5 Royal, Atlus' Persona series cemented its status as a JRPG powerhouse. Persona 5's iconic imagery even draws tourists to Shibuya Station for that quintessential Phantom Thieves photo op (though the station's been remodeled, the perfect angle remains!).
However, this success story unfolded gradually. Persona, a Shin Megami Tensei spin-off, debuted nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the game titles might suggest, there are six mainline entries, not five, excluding spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions (and yes, Metaphor: ReFantazio is definitively *not* a Persona game).
Exploring this rich 30-year JRPG history is worthwhile, though accessibility varies. Here's where to legally play all mainline Persona games. A PSP might be a worthwhile investment.
Revelations: Persona
| Platforms | PS1, PlayStation Classic, PSP |
Released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, with later releases on Microsoft Windows and PSP, Revelations: Persona sees our heroes gaining Personas after a fateful encounter. Unfortunately, its most recent "re-release" was on the PlayStation Classic in 2018. Currently, it's unavailable on modern hardware; you'll need a PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, Atlus' commitment to remaking older titles offers hope for a future remastered version.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2 — Innocent Sin
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita |
Also known as Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this 1999 PlayStation release (initially Japan-only) arrived in North America and Europe via PSP port in 2011. It's also available on PlayStation Vita. Currently, no modern console versions exist.
Innocent Sin follows Sumaru high schoolers battling the enigmatic Joker, whose rumors warp reality.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
| Platforms | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation Vita, PS3 |
The direct sequel to Innocent Sin (released in 2000), Eternal Punishment, unfolds months later, continuing the "Joker Curse" with a new teen reporter protagonist. Unlike Innocent Sin, it had a simultaneous North American PlayStation release in 2000, receiving a PSP remake in 2011 and a PS3 release via PlayStation Network in 2013. Currently unavailable on modern hardware, a simultaneous remake of both Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment seems a likely future prospect.
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 (2006/2007) marked the series' full emergence from Shin Megami Tensei's shadow. The PlayStation 2 original follows teens grappling with death while investigating the "Dark Hour." Persona 3 FES (PS3), featuring an epilogue, followed. Persona 3 Portable (PSP, later PS4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch) offered a more portable experience, considered by some the best iteration. The latest version, Persona 3 Reload (2024), is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
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 presents a classic murder mystery where teens use Personas to solve a series of killings. The enhanced Persona 4 Golden (2012, PlayStation Vita) is now widely available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and 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 (2016/2017, PS3/PS4) propelled the series to mainstream fame. The enhanced Persona 5 Royal (2020), following protagonist Joker's wrongful accusation and his journey through "Palaces," is available on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
