Originally a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a major player in the world of modern RPGs. With its expansive universe spanning multiple sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays, Persona has become a multimedia phenomenon that continues to grow in popularity. The latest addition to the series, Persona 3 Reload, is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, sparking interest from new players eager to dive into the series. Below, we provide a comprehensive overview of every game and spin-off, including the best starting points for newcomers, as well as both the chronological and release order of the series.

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 several expanded versions of the mainline entries, which feature new story content or remakes. While direct ports and remasters are not included in this count, we will highlight all alternate versions of each game in the list below.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

If you're new to the series, starting with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is a great choice. 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 yet available on Nintendo Switch.

For those worried about missing out on the story by jumping into later entries, rest assured that each game in the series features an entirely new story with original characters, largely disconnected from its predecessors. This makes them excellent starting points for newcomers. To help narrow down your choice, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to see which one 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 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 reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If…, another Shin Megami Tensei spin-off centered around high schoolers battling demons. Building on the beloved concept, Revelations: Persona offered a full dungeon-crawling RPG experience centered around a group of high school students combating a supernatural uprising in the town of Mikage-cho.

Throughout the game, players use the powers of their awakened Personas to battle shadows and navigate dungeons filled with random encounters, leveling up their party and growing stronger. This game laid the foundation for the franchise, introducing key elements such as wielding Personas in combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast of heroes.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

The second entry in the Persona series, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, was released in 1999. The game follows a new group of high school students led by protagonist Tatsuya Suou, who embark on a mission to thwart a mysterious villain known as Joker and the cult of the Masked Circle.

The narrative revolves around an evil plot where malicious rumors spreading in the town of Sumaru come to life. Like its predecessor, the game focuses on exploring dungeons, wielding Personas, fighting shadows, and leveling up your party. Unlike other entries, it received a direct sequel just a year later, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, which continues the story.

Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)

Following the events of Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment features side character Maya Amano as the protagonist. Tasked with writing an article about a new rumor regarding the phenomenon known as the Joker Curse, Maya and her allies rally against a returning foe.

As a direct continuation of Innocent Sin's story, the game maintains the same turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay, with players building their party and using their Personas to battle 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)

The third mainline entry, Persona 3, marked a significant evolution in the series. Emphasizing its high school premise, the game introduced a daily calendar system, balancing school life, friendships, and studying with battling shadows in the supernatural realm of Tartarus.

The story follows high school student Makoto Yuki, who discovers the ability to experience a mysterious space-time called the Dark Hour, where ordinary people are trapped in coffins and a demonic tower emerges from his school. Joining forces with classmates, he explores the tower, uncovering a sinister plot that threatens the world. Persona 3 is considered a landmark entry, introducing social links, daily activities, and mechanics that have become synonymous with 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 included an expansion with a follow-up chapter, The Answer, and an alternate campaign featuring a female protagonist. Persona 3 Portable was a handheld version that included the female protagonist route but omitted The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a full remake of the base game for modern consoles, though it does not include The Answer or the female protagonist route.

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

A rhythm-based dancing spin-off set during the main campaign of Persona 3, 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 iconic Persona 3 tracks.

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

The fourth mainline entry, Persona 4, is set in the rural town of Inaba. Players take on the role of Yu Narukami, a high schooler from the city who moves to the countryside to live with his uncle and cousin for a year. Upon arrival, a series of violent murders begins, and Yu and his friends uncover their connection to an otherworldly realm accessible through TV monitors.

Exploring this mysterious world, Yu and his friends confront supernatural forces to solve the murders, using their Personas to battle enemies. Building on Persona 3's mechanics, Persona 4 utilizes the calendar system, allowing players to develop social links and attend school while exploring dungeons and defeating enemies.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

Persona 4 received an expanded re-release in 2012 called Persona 4 Golden, which added new story content and an additional dungeon, widely regarded as the definitive way to experience the game.

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

Taking place simultaneously during the Persona 3 and Persona 4 storylines, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is a crossover featuring both games. During the typhoon segment of Persona 3 and the Culture Festival segment of Persona 4, the S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad find themselves trapped inside a warped version of Yasogami High School.

This time-bending event brings both teams together to investigate and escape, navigating a labyrinth filled with new enemies and uncovering an original story. The spin-off harks back to the series' traditional dungeon-crawler roots.

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

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

A continuation of both Persona 3 and 4’s narratives, Persona 4 Arena is the franchise's first major spin-off, featuring Yu Narukami returning to Inaba and entering a new adventure in the TV world for a mysterious fighting tournament. Forced to battle his allies and a group called the Shadow Operatives, which includes Persona 3's Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Aigis, Arena offers a full fighting game experience with a roster of iconic Persona characters.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.

9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)

A year after Persona 4 Arena, the spin-off received a sequel titled Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. Set directly after the first game, the Persona 4 squad teams up with the Shadow Operatives to return to the TV World and battle the forces behind the fighting tournament. Ultimax expanded the roster, including returning characters like Yukari, Junpei, Ken, and Koromaru.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

The fourth and most unexpected spin-off of Persona 4, Dancing All Night is a rhythm-based dancing game where the Investigation Squad performs routines to iconic Persona tracks. It offers a canon continuation of the storyline, with Yu and the team entering an alternate dimension called the Midnight Stage.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

The fifth mainline entry, Persona 5, was released in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017. Set in Tokyo, the game casts players as a new protagonist, Joker, who is on probation after being framed for a crime he didn't commit. Attending a local high school, Joker and his friends discover a supernatural alternate dimension, allowing them to infiltrate mystical palaces and change the hearts of evildoers in the city.

Soon, the group becomes notorious as the Phantom Thieves. Building on the mechanics of Persona 3 and 4, Persona 5 features massive story-focused levels unfolding over a month, the return of the negotiation system, and a new dungeon system called Mementos. The game propelled the franchise to new heights, becoming Atlus's best-selling game and cultivating a massive fan base.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

Like its predecessors, Persona 5 received an expanded re-release titled Persona 5 Royal, adding a new companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the ultimate version of the game.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

A sequel to Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, New Cinema Labyrinth is another crossover featuring characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5. When the Phantom Thieves find themselves trapped in a movie theater, they team up with the S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad to find an escape, traveling into the movies to fix their endings.

Like the original, Persona Q2 takes place simultaneously during the storylines of Persona 3, 4, and 5, pulling each group out of their respective timelines to explore dungeons from a first-person perspective and engage in turn-based battles.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during the events of Persona 5, Persona 5 Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off similar to the XCOM series. The story follows the Phantom Thieves as they travel to an alternate realm called the Kingdoms. Unable to escape, Joker and Morgana must save their brainwashed allies from the realm's ruler, Tyrant Marie, by teaming up with the local resistance and engaging in tactical grid-based combat.

Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

The third rhythm-based dancing spin-off, Dancing in Starlight features Caroline and Justine challenging the Phantom Thieves to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. The group performs dance routines to several of Persona 5's catchiest tracks.

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

Set four months after the events of Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation. However, they are pulled into the Metaverse via an app called EMMA. With the help of a new ally, they don their Phantom Thieves gear to uncover the truth behind EMMA, the Metaverse, and its impact on Tokyo.

Persona 5 Strikers introduces real-time combat inspired by the Dynasty Warriors series, with the Phantom Thieves battling large hordes of enemies through 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?

The next Persona project to keep an eye on is the free-to-play mobile game Persona 5: The Phantom X, released in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024. A Japanese release is imminent following a closed beta sign-up in October, with a global release expected, though no official details on the potential release date have been provided. The Phantom X is described by Atlus as "an original story set in the world of Persona 5 [in which] new characters rise from the shadows and don the masks of the Phantom Thieves."

Persona 6 is the highly anticipated next installment in the RPG series, though Atlus has yet to officially confirm its development.