The release of *Persona 5 Royal* marked a significant milestone for Atlus’ *Persona* series, cementing its status as a cornerstone of the JRPG genre. *Persona 5* has become so iconic that it draws fans to Shibuya station in Tokyo, eager to capture the famous scene of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Although the station has been remodeled, enthusiasts can still find the perfect angle for that memorable shot.

The *Persona* series, however, didn’t achieve this level of acclaim overnight. Originally a spin-off of the *Shin Megami Tensei* franchise, the first *Persona* game was released nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the numbering might imply, there are actually six mainline *Persona* games, not including numerous spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions. It's worth noting that *Metaphor: ReFantazio* is not part of the *Persona* series.

Exploring the rich 30-year history of the *Persona* franchise is highly rewarding, though some titles may be harder to find than others. Here's a guide on where you can legally play each mainline *Persona* game, and you might want to consider investing in a PSP for some of them.

Revelations: Persona

*Revelations: Persona* was first released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, followed by releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The game sees players gaining personas through a dramatic fortune-telling session. However, the most recent hardware release was on the PlayStation Classic in 2018. Currently, there's no version available on modern consoles, meaning you'd need a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. Fans remain hopeful that Atlus will eventually remaster this classic for modern platforms.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Also known as *Persona 2: Innocent Sin*, this sequel was initially released on the PlayStation in 1999, but only in Japan. A localized version for North America and Europe came over a decade later on the PSP in 2011, and it's also available on the PlayStation Vita. Unfortunately, there's no modern console version yet. The game follows a group of high school students in Sumaru City as they face off against a villain named Joker, whose rumors have the power to alter reality.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

*Eternal Punishment*, a direct sequel to *Innocent Sin*, was released the following year in 2000. Set just months after the events of its predecessor, the story shifts focus to a teenage reporter dealing with the "Joker Curse". It received a simultaneous North American release on the PlayStation and later a PSP remake in 2011, which was also made available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 in 2013. While it's not on modern hardware, fans are hopeful for a remastered version combining both *Innocent Sin* and *Eternal Punishment*.

Persona 3

*Persona 3* marked the series' emergence from the *Shin Megami Tensei* shadow, launching on the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America. It delves into themes of death as teens explore the mysterious "Dark Hour". An extended version, *Persona 3 FES*, released the following year with an additional epilogue, playable on the PS3. The series saw further remakes with *Persona 3 Portable*, initially for the PSP, then re-released on modern platforms like PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Physical copies were available in 2023. The latest iteration, *Persona 3 Reload*, launched in 2024, catering to fans of *Persona 5 Royal* and available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with physical versions for PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

Persona 4

Just two years after *Persona 3*, *Persona 4* hit the PlayStation 2 in 2008, presenting a murder mystery where teens harness their personas to solve a series of killings. The game received widespread acclaim. An enhanced version, *Persona 4 Golden*, was released for the PlayStation Vita in 2012 and later became widely available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Physical copies are available for all platforms except PC.

Persona 5

*Persona 5* elevated the franchise to mainstream popularity, launching on PS3 and PS4 in 2016 in Japan and 2017 worldwide. The enhanced version, *Persona 5 Royal*, released in North America in March 2020, offering an immersive escape into Tokyo during the early days of the global lockdown. The game follows a protagonist, codenamed Joker, who, after being falsely accused, moves to Tokyo and becomes embroiled in the world of "palaces" – metaphysical realms born from delusions. *Persona 5 Royal* is now available across nearly all modern platforms, with both physical and digital copies available through their respective online stores.