"Persona Games and Spin-Offs: Complete Order"

Originally a spin-off from the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has blossomed into a major force in modern RPGs, captivating fans with its rich storytelling, engaging gameplay, and diverse multimedia expansions. From blockbuster sequels and remakes to anime adaptations and even stage plays, Persona has become a cultural phenomenon that continues to grow in popularity. With the recent release of Persona 3 Reload on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, newcomers may be curious about where to begin their journey into this expansive universe. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off in the series, including the best starting points for new players and both chronological and release order listings.

Jump to:

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

Which modern Persona game is the best? --------------------------------------

Persona 3 ReloadPersona 4 GoldenPersona 5 RoyalOther (Tell us in the comments!)

Answer See Results

How Many Persona Games Are There?

There are currently twenty Persona games in the series. These include expanded versions of the mainline entries, such as re-releases with new story content or complete remakes. While we exclude direct ports and remasters, we will highlight all alternate versions of each game in our listings.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

For those new to the series, diving into Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is an excellent starting point. These are the latest iterations 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 on Nintendo Switch.

Concerned about missing out on the overarching story? Don't worry—each game features a standalone narrative with new characters, making them perfect entry points. To decide which one suits you best, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social link dynamics of each title to see what resonates with you.

Persona 3 Reload

54 Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X. See it at Amazon

Persona 4 Golden

42 Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Nintendo

Persona 5 Royal

103 Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Amazon

Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Chronological Order

These summaries contain mild spoilers, including characters, settings, and key plot points.

1. Revelations: Persona (1996)

The inaugural title, Revelations: Persona, was inspired by the positive reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If…, another spin-off centered on high school students battling demons. Revelations: Persona evolved this concept into a full dungeon-crawling RPG set in Mikage-cho, where a group of high schoolers harness their awakened Personas to combat a supernatural uprising. This game laid the groundwork for the series, introducing core elements like Persona combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage hero ensemble.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

Persona 2: Innocent Sin introduced a new cast of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou, who confront the villainous Joker and his cult, the Masked Circle. The plot revolves around malicious rumors that come to life in the town of Sumaru. The game retains the series' focus on dungeon exploration and Persona combat, and was directly followed by a sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, released a year later.

Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)

Continuing from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment features Maya Amano as the protagonist. She investigates a phenomenon known as the Joker Curse, rallying her allies to confront a returning adversary. The game maintains the turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay of its predecessor.

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 emphasizing its high school setting with a daily calendar system, balancing school life and social activities with supernatural battles in Tartarus. Protagonist Makoto Yuki navigates the Dark Hour, a mysterious time period where ordinary people are encased in coffins and a demonic tower emerges from his school. The game introduced pivotal mechanics like social links and daily activities, which have become hallmarks of the series.

Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.

Alternate Versions of Persona 3:

Persona 3 has been re-released multiple times. Persona 3 FES added a follow-up chapter, The Answer, and an alternate campaign with a female protagonist. Persona 3 Portable, designed for handheld play, includes the female protagonist route but not The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a complete remake for modern consoles, excluding The Answer and the female protagonist route.

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

A rhythm-based dancing 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 considered canon, with the team performing to iconic Persona 3 tracks.

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

Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami, a high schooler who moves to live with his uncle and cousin. A series of violent murders coincides with his arrival, leading Yu and his friends to a mysterious realm accessible through TV screens. The game builds on Persona 3's mechanics, using a calendar system to balance school life, social links, and dungeon exploration.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, expanded the original with new story content and an additional dungeon, widely regarded as the definitive version.

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

A crossover between Persona 3 and Persona 4, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth occurs during the typhoon and Culture Festival segments of each game. Both teams are trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School, collaborating to escape while exploring a labyrinth and engaging in traditional dungeon-crawler gameplay.

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

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

A fighting game spin-off that continues the narratives of Persona 3 and 4, Persona 4 Arena follows Yu Narukami's return to Inaba and a new adventure in the TV world involving a fighting tournament. Players can control iconic characters from both games in this full-fledged fighting experience.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.

9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)

Following directly after Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax sees the Persona 4 squad and the Shadow Operatives from Persona 3 return to the TV world to battle mysterious forces. The game expands the roster with returning characters and offers an enhanced fighting experience.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

A rhythm-based dancing game, Persona 4: Dancing All Night continues the storyline with Yu and the Investigation Squad performing dance routines to iconic Persona tracks in an alternate dimension known as the Midnight Stage.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

Persona 5 introduced players to Tokyo and protagonist Joker, who is on probation after being framed. Alongside his friends, Joker discovers a supernatural dimension, infiltrating palaces to change the hearts of evildoers as the Phantom Thieves. The game builds on previous entries with expansive story-driven levels, a negotiation system, and a new dungeon system called Mementos. Persona 5's success significantly boosted the franchise's popularity.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

Persona 5 Royal enhanced the original with new content, including an additional companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the ultimate version of the game.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth features another crossover, this time involving characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5. Trapped in a movie theater, the teams must navigate through films to fix their endings and escape, engaging in first-person dungeon exploration and turn-based battles.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off similar to XCOM. The Phantom Thieves find themselves in an alternate realm called the Kingdoms, where they must rescue their brainwashed allies and defeat Tyrant Marie, 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 dancing spin-off, Caroline and Justine challenge the Phantom Thieves to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, performing routines to catchy Persona 5 tracks.

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers follows the Phantom Thieves on a summer vacation that leads them back into the Metaverse through an app called EMMA. The game blends real-time combat inspired by the Dynasty Warriors series with Persona elements, as the team battles hordes of enemies.

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 released two major titles: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from Studio Zero. Following the success of Metaphor, which garnered 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 keep an eye on is the free-to-play mobile game Persona 5: The Phantom X. Launched in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024, it is set for an imminent release in Japan following a closed beta sign-up in October. While a global release is anticipated, no official date has been announced. The Phantom X introduces an original story set within the Persona 5 universe, featuring new characters who adopt the personas of the Phantom Thieves.

Anticipation is also high for Persona 6, the next installment in the RPG series, though Atlus has not yet officially confirmed its development.