Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Order

Originally a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a major force in the world of modern RPGs. Its impact extends beyond gaming, with multiple sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays contributing to its status as a multimedia phenomenon. The popularity of Persona shows no signs of waning, especially with the release of the latest installment, Persona 3 Reload, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. For those new to the series, navigating the vast array of titles can be daunting. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide to every Persona game and spin-off, including the best starting points for newcomers, and both chronological and release order listings.

Jump to:

How to play in orderHow to play by release dateUpcoming releases

There are currently twenty Persona games, including various expanded versions of the mainline entries. These expansions often include new story content or remakes. We will list every alternate version of each game, excluding direct ports or remasters.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers, starting with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is highly recommended. These are the latest versions of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, and are available on PC and major consoles (except Persona 3 Reload, which is not on Nintendo Switch).

Each game offers a standalone story with new characters, so you won’t miss out on the narrative by starting with any of these titles. To help decide, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to see which one resonates with you.

### Persona 3 Reload

54Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X.See it at Amazon### Persona 4 Golden

42Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo SwitchSee it at Nintendo### Persona 5 Royal

103Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo SwitchSee it at AmazonEvery 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)

Revelations: Persona marked the inception of the series, inspired by the success of Shin Megami Tensei: If… and its high-school demon-fighting theme. Set in Mikage-cho, it follows a group of high schoolers using their awakened Personas to combat a supernatural uprising. This game laid the groundwork for the franchise, introducing key elements like Persona combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

Persona 2: Innocent Sin continued the series' tradition of high-school heroes, with protagonist Tatsuya Suou leading a group against the villainous Joker and the Masked Circle cult. The game explores the consequences of rumors turning into reality in Sumaru City, maintaining the series' focus on dungeon exploration, Persona combat, and party development.

Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)

Eternal Punishment follows up directly from Innocent Sin, with Maya Amano stepping into the protagonist role. Investigating the "Joker Curse" phenomenon, Maya and her allies continue the battle against familiar foes, delivering a seamless continuation of the story with the same engaging gameplay mechanics.

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 revolutionized the series by integrating a daily calendar system, balancing school life with supernatural battles in Tartarus. Protagonist Makoto Yuki navigates the Dark Hour, where he and his classmates explore a mysterious tower to unravel a global threat. This entry introduced social links and day-to-day activities, becoming a cornerstone of the franchise.

Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.

Alternate Versions of Persona 3:

Persona 3 has been re-released multiple times. Persona 3 FES added The Answer and a female protagonist. Persona 3 Portable included the female protagonist but omitted The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a full remake for modern consoles, excluding The Answer and the female protagonist route.

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

This rhythm-based spin-off, set during the main campaign, challenges the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. The events occur in a dream but are canon, featuring dance routines to iconic Persona 3 tracks.

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 TV realm. The game expands on Persona 3's mechanics, using a calendar system to balance school life with dungeon exploration and Persona battles.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, added new story content and an additional dungeon, enhancing the original experience.

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

This crossover game merges the timelines of Persona 3 and 4, trapping both teams in a warped Yasogami High School. Players navigate a labyrinth, exploring new enemies and an original story that harks back to the series' dungeon-crawler origins.

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

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

Persona 4 Arena continues the narratives of Persona 3 and 4, introducing a fighting tournament in the TV world. It features characters from both games, blending their stories into a thrilling combat experience.

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, with the Persona 4 team and Shadow Operatives battling new threats in the TV world.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

In this rhythm-based spin-off, the Investigation Squad dances to Persona tracks in the Midnight Stage, offering a canon continuation of the storyline.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

Persona 5 introduces protagonist Joker, a student on probation in Tokyo, who discovers a supernatural realm where he and his friends, the Phantom Thieves, change hearts to combat corruption. The game expands on previous mechanics, adding Mementos and becoming Atlus' best-selling title.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

Persona 5 Royal offers additional content, including a new companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the definitive version of the game.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

Persona Q2 unites characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5 in a movie theater, where they must alter movie endings to escape. This game continues the series' tradition of crossover and dungeon exploration.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during Persona 5, Tactica transports the Phantom Thieves to the Kingdoms, where they must save their brainwashed allies and escape. This strategy-focused spin-off features tactical grid-based combat reminiscent of XCOM.

Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

In this rhythm-based game, Caroline and Justine challenge the Phantom Thieves to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, performing to iconic Persona 5 tracks.

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

Set after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer adventure that leads them back into the Metaverse. This real-time combat spin-off, inspired by Dynasty Warriors, features large-scale battles and Persona summoning.

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?

The next project to anticipate is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game released in several Asian regions in 2024, with a Japanese release on the horizon following a closed beta sign-up in October. A global release is expected, though specifics remain undisclosed. The Phantom X promises an original story within the Persona 5 universe, featuring new characters.

Persona 6, the eagerly awaited next mainline RPG, has yet to be officially confirmed by Atlus, but fans are keenly watching for any announcements.