"Legal Ways to Play Persona Games in 2025"

With the release of *Persona 5 Royal*, Atlus’ *Persona* series has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the JRPG genre. *Persona 5*, in particular, has become so iconic that fans often visit Shibuya Station to recreate the famous scene of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Although the station has been remodeled, the right angle can still capture the magic of that moment.

But the journey to this level of acclaim was a gradual one. Originally a spin-off of Atlus’ *Shin Megami Tensei* series, the first *Persona* game debuted nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the numbering might suggest, there are actually six mainline *Persona* games, not counting the numerous spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced editions. For clarity, *Metaphor: ReFantazio* is not part of the *Persona* series.

Exploring the rich history of the *Persona* series is a rewarding experience, though some titles may be harder to find than others. Here's a guide on where you can legally play all the mainline *Persona* games, though you might need to dust off your PSP.

Revelations: Persona

*Revelations: Persona*, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, also saw releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The story follows heroes who gain their personas through fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most recent hardware release is on the PlayStation Classic from 2018, meaning there's no modern console version available. You'll need a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, given Atlus' dedication to remastering older titles, we might see a modern remastered version in the future.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Also known as *Persona 2: Innocent Sin*, this sequel was initially released on PlayStation in 1999 in Japan, with a North American and European release on the PSP in 2011. It's also playable on the PlayStation Vita. The game follows high schoolers in Sumaru City battling a villain named Joker, whose rumors can alter reality. Like its predecessor, *Innocent Sin* isn't available on modern consoles.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

*Eternal Punishment* is the direct sequel to *Innocent Sin*, released in 2000. It follows a different protagonist, a teenage reporter, dealing with the aftermath of the "Joker Curse". Initially released in North America alongside Japan, it saw a PSP remake in 2011, available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 in 2013. Like *Innocent Sin*, it's not on modern hardware, but there's hope for a future remastered release.

Persona 3

*Persona 3* marked a significant shift, stepping out from the shadow of *Shin Megami Tensei*. Released on PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America, it follows teens exploring the "Dark Hour" and confronting death. *Persona 3 FES*, featuring an additional epilogue, is available on PS3. *Persona 3 Portable*, a more concise version, initially on PSP, is now on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical releases in 2023. The latest, *Persona 3 Reload* (2024), appeals to *Persona 5 Royal* fans and is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, with physical copies for PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

Persona 4

*Persona 4*, released in 2008 on PlayStation 2, delves into a murder mystery solved by teens using their personas. Its popularity led to *Persona 4 Golden* in 2012 on PlayStation Vita, now widely available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with physical versions for all platforms except PC.

Persona 5

*Persona 5* catapulted the series into mainstream fame. Released in 2016 for PS3 and PS4, and globally in 2017, its enhanced version, *Persona 5 Royal*, followed in 2020. This game, centered around a protagonist named Joker, explores "palaces" born from human delusions. *Persona 5 Royal* is now accessible on nearly all modern platforms, including PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital options available.