Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Order

The Persona series, which began as a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, has evolved into a major force in the world of modern RPGs. With its engaging narratives, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay, Persona has expanded into a multimedia phenomenon, encompassing sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays. The franchise's popularity continues to soar, showing no signs of slowing down.

The latest addition, Persona 3 Reload, is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, sparking interest among newcomers about where to begin their journey. Below, we provide a comprehensive overview of every game and spin-off in the series, highlighting the best starting points for new players, as well as the chronological and release order of the games.

Jump to:

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

How Many Persona Games Are There?

There are currently twenty Persona games in total. This number includes various expanded versions of the mainline entries, such as re-releases with new content and remakes. We'll list every alternate version of each game below, excluding direct ports and remasters.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

For those new to the series, 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 most major consoles, with the exception of Persona 3 Reload, which is not available on the Nintendo Switch.

New players should not worry about missing out on the story by starting with a later entry. Each game in the series features a standalone story with unique characters, making any of the three a great starting point. To help you decide, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to see which resonates with you the most.

Persona 3 Reload

54

Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X.

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Persona 4 Golden

42

Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch

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Persona 5 Royal

103

Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch

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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 of the series, Revelations: Persona, was inspired by the success of Shin Megami Tensei: If… and centered around high-schoolers battling demons. Set in Mikage-cho, the game follows a group of students using their awakened Personas to combat a supernatural uprising, exploring dungeons and engaging in random encounters. This game laid the groundwork for the series, introducing key elements such as Persona combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

Persona 2: Innocent Sin introduced a new group of high-school students led by Tatsuya Suou, who set out to thwart a mysterious villain, Joker, and the Masked Circle cult. The game revolves around a plot where rumors come to life in Sumaru, and players explore dungeons, battle shadows, and level up their party. It was followed by a direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, a year later.

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, who investigates the Joker Curse. The game maintains the turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay, with players building their party and using Personas to fight shadows.

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 in the series, introducing a daily calendar system that balanced school life and social interactions with battling shadows in the Dark Hour and Tartarus. The story follows Makoto Yuki, who discovers a mysterious time period and a demonic tower emerging from his school. This entry introduced pivotal mechanics like social links and day-to-day activities.

Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.

Alternate Versions of Persona 3:

Persona 3 has seen several re-releases. Persona 3 FES expanded the game with The Answer and an alternate campaign featuring a female protagonist. Persona 3 Portable offered a handheld version with the female protagonist route but excluded The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a modern remake of the base game, omitting The Answer and the female protagonist route.

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

A rhythm-based spin-off set during the Persona 3 campaign, Dancing in Moonlight features Elizabeth challenging the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. The events occur in a dream but are canon to the story, with the team performing dance routines to Persona 3 tracks.

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

Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami, who moves in with his uncle and cousin. As violent murders occur, Yu and his friends discover a connection to an otherworldly realm accessed through TV monitors. The game builds on Persona 3's mechanics, using a calendar system to balance social links and school life with dungeon exploration and Persona battles.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

Persona 4 Golden is an expanded re-release that adds new story content and an additional dungeon, considered the definitive version of the game.

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

A crossover occurring during the Persona 3 and 4 timelines, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth traps the S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad inside a warped version of Yasogami High School. Players explore a labyrinth, engage in turn-based battles, and uncover a new story, harking back to the series' traditional dungeon-crawler roots.

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

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

A fighting game spin-off continuing both Persona 3 and 4's narratives, Persona 4 Arena follows Yu Narukami back in Inaba, entering a mysterious fighting tournament in the TV world. The game features a roster of iconic Persona characters and introduces new storylines.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.

9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)

Following Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax expands the roster and continues the story directly after the first game. The Persona 4 squad and Shadow Operatives return to the TV World to battle against the forces behind the tournament.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

A rhythm-based dancing game set in the Persona 4 universe, Dancing All Night follows Yu and the team in the Midnight Stage, offering a canon continuation of the storyline with dance routines to Persona tracks.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

Persona 5, set in Tokyo, casts players as Joker, a student on probation for a crime he didn't commit. Discovering a supernatural realm, Joker and his friends become the Phantom Thieves, infiltrating palaces to change the hearts of wrongdoers. The game expanded the series' popularity, becoming Atlus' best-selling title.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

Persona 5 Royal is an enhanced re-release with additional content, including a new companion, dungeon, and semester, considered the ultimate version of the game.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth features a crossover of Persona 3, 4, and 5 characters. Trapped in a movie theater, the Phantom Thieves, S.E.E.S, and Investigation Squad explore movie-themed dungeons to escape their predicament.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy-based spin-off similar to XCOM. The Phantom Thieves are transported to the Kingdoms, where they must rescue their brainwashed allies and defeat Tyrant Marie using tactical grid-based combat.

Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

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

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation that turns into a Metaverse adventure. With real-time combat inspired by Dynasty Warriors, players battle large enemy hordes using combos and Persona abilities.

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 fans enjoyed two major releases: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, an original RPG from Studio Zero. Following Metaphor's success and multiple awards, Sega expressed a commitment to further invest in Atlus and the Persona franchise during a developers' Q&A session.

The next Persona project to watch is the free-to-play mobile game Persona 5: The Phantom X, released 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 anticipated, though no official date has been confirmed. The Phantom X features an original story set in the Persona 5 universe, introducing new characters who become Phantom Thieves.

Persona 6 is the eagerly awaited next mainline RPG in the series, though Atlus has yet to confirm its development officially.