The Persona series, originally a spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei, has evolved into a powerhouse in the world of modern RPGs. With its captivating narratives, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay, the franchise has not only grown through numerous sequels and remakes but also expanded into anime, stage plays, and other multimedia ventures. The latest addition, Persona 3 Reload, now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, has sparked interest among new and returning players alike. Whether you're a seasoned fan or a newcomer, understanding the best starting point and the sequence of the series can enhance your gaming experience.

Jump to:

• How to play in order
• How to play by release date
• Upcoming releases

Which modern Persona game is the best?

• Persona 3 Reload
• Persona 4 Golden
• Persona 5 Royal
• Other (Tell us in the comments!)

How Many Persona Games Are There?

There are currently twenty Persona games, including various expanded versions and remakes of the mainline entries. While direct ports and remasters are not included, we will detail all alternate versions of each game in the lists below.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

If you're new to the series, diving into Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is an excellent choice. These are the most recent versions of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, and are accessible on PC and most major consoles, except for Persona 3 Reload, which is not available on the Nintendo Switch.

For those worried about missing out on the story, rest assured that each of these games offers a standalone narrative with unique characters, making them ideal entry points. To decide which game suits you best, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links featured in each game to see what resonates with you.

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

These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.

1. Revelations: Persona (1996)

The inaugural game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was Atlus's response to the positive feedback for Shin Megami Tensei: If…. It introduced a full dungeon-crawling RPG experience centered around high school students battling a supernatural uprising in Mikage-cho. Players harness the powers of Personas to combat shadows and navigate dungeons, laying the groundwork for the series' core mechanics.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

In this sequel, protagonist Tatsuya Suou and his fellow high schoolers tackle a mysterious villain, Joker, and the cult of the Masked Circle. The game focuses on battling shadows and exploring dungeons amidst a backdrop where rumors in Sumaru come to life. A direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, followed shortly after.

Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)

Continuing from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment shifts the protagonist role to Maya Amano. The game follows her investigation into the Joker Curse, blending the series' signature turn-based combat with a compelling narrative.

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, introducing a daily calendar system that balanced school life and social interactions with battling shadows in Tartarus. Protagonist Makoto Yuki navigates the Dark Hour, uncovering a sinister plot. This game introduced social links and other mechanics now synonymous with the franchise.

Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.

Alternate Versions of Persona 3:

Persona 3 has seen multiple re-releases, each offering unique content. Persona 3 FES added The Answer and a female protagonist option; Persona 3 Portable included the female protagonist but omitted The Answer; and Persona 3 Reload, a full remake, focuses on the base game without The Answer or the female protagonist route.

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

This rhythm-based spin-off set during Persona 3's main campaign features a dance-off in the Velvet Room, showcasing the S.E.E.S team's dance moves to iconic tracks from the game.

6. Persona 4 (2008) / Persona 4 Golden (2012)

Set in Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami as he investigates a series of murders linked to an otherworldly realm accessible through TV monitors. The game enhances the mechanics from Persona 3, integrating a calendar system with social links and dungeon exploration.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, added new story content and a dungeon, making it the preferred version for many fans.

7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)

A crossover between Persona 3 and 4, this game merges the S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad into a time-bending adventure within a warped version of Yasogami High School. It revisits the series' dungeon-crawler roots.

Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

A fighting game spin-off, Persona 4 Arena continues the narratives of Persona 3 and 4, featuring a tournament in the TV World where Yu Narukami and others battle against new foes and familiar faces from Persona 3.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.

9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)

Following directly after Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax expands the roster and continues the story, blending characters from both Persona 3 and 4 in another thrilling tournament.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

This rhythm-based spin-off follows the Investigation Squad as they perform dance routines in an alternate dimension called the Midnight Stage, extending the storyline in a unique way.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)

Persona 5 introduces players to Tokyo as Joker, a high school student on probation, who discovers a supernatural realm allowing him and his friends to change the hearts of evildoers as the Phantom Thieves. The game builds on previous mechanics with new dungeon and negotiation systems, becoming Atlus's best-selling title.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

Persona 5 Royal enhances the original with new content, including an additional companion, dungeon, and semester.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

This sequel brings together characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5 as they navigate a movie theater and enter various films to alter their endings, blending the timelines in a first-person dungeon-crawler experience.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off where the Phantom Thieves are transported to an alternate realm, the Kingdoms. They must battle to save their brainwashed allies and return home, using a tactical grid-based combat system.

Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

In this rhythm-based spin-off, the Phantom Thieves are challenged to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, performing to iconic tracks from Persona 5.

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation that turns into a battle in the Metaverse. The game introduces real-time combat inspired by the Dynasty Warriors series.

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?

In 2024, Atlus delighted fans with two releases: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from Studio Zero. Following Metaphor's success and awards, Sega has expressed a commitment to further invest in Atlus and the Persona franchise.

The next anticipated release is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game launched in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024, with a Japanese release on the horizon following a closed beta sign-up in October. A global release is expected, though no official date has been announced. The game offers an original story within the Persona 5 universe, featuring new characters joining the Phantom Thieves.

While Persona 6 is eagerly awaited, Atlus has yet to officially confirm its development, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this beloved RPG series.