Born as a *Shin Megami Tensei* spin-off, the *Persona* series has blossomed into a major RPG franchise, a multimedia powerhouse encompassing sequels, remakes, anime, and even stage plays. Its enduring popularity shows no signs of waning, especially with the recent release of *Persona 3 Reload* on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

Newcomers often wonder where to begin. This guide provides a complete overview of every *Persona* game and spin-off, including the best starting points, chronological order, and release order.

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How Many Persona Games Are There?

There are currently twenty Persona games. This includes expanded versions, re-releases with added content, and remakes. This guide excludes direct ports and remasters, but notes alternate versions.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers, Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal are excellent starting points. These are the latest versions of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, widely available on PC and major consoles (Persona 3 Reload excludes Nintendo Switch).

Each game features a unique story and cast, largely independent of its predecessors. To choose, watch gameplay videos and explore the social link aspects of each to find the best fit.

Persona 3 Reload

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

Persona 4 Golden

42Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo SwitchSee it at Nintendo

Persona 5 Royal

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

Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Chronological Order

(Mild spoilers ahead regarding characters, settings, and story elements.)

1. Revelations: Persona (1996)

The series' debut, Revelations: Persona, followed high school students battling a supernatural threat in Mikage-cho, utilizing Personas in combat. It established core elements like the Velvet Room and a teenage cast.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

Persona 2: Innocent Sin centers on Tatsuya Suou and his friends combating the villain Joker and the Masked Circle cult in Sumaru. Malicious rumors come to life, leading to dungeon crawling, Persona wielding, and shadow battles. It's followed by a direct sequel.

Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)

Eternal Punishment continues Innocent Sin's story with Maya Amano as the protagonist, facing the Joker Curse. It maintains the turn-based dungeon-crawling gameplay.

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 significantly evolved the series, incorporating a daily calendar balancing school life, friendships, and battles in Tartarus. Makoto Yuki confronts the Dark Hour and a demonic tower. This entry introduced social links and daily activities.

Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.

Alternate Versions of Persona 3:

• Persona 3 FES: Expanded with "The Answer" chapter.
• Persona 3 Portable: Handheld version with a female protagonist route (excludes "The Answer").
• Persona 3 Reload: Modern remake of the base game (excludes "The Answer" and female protagonist route).

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

A rhythm-based spin-off set during Persona 3, featuring the S.E.E.S. team in a dance-off in the Velvet Room. The events are canon.

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

Persona 4 takes place in Inaba, where Yu Narukami investigates murders linked to a mysterious realm accessed through TVs. It expands on Persona 3's mechanics, incorporating the calendar system and social links.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

• Persona 4 Golden: Expanded re-release with new content and a dungeon.

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

A crossover between Persona 3 and Persona 4, where both teams are trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School, exploring a labyrinth and uncovering an original story.

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

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

A fighting game spin-off featuring characters from Persona 3 and 4, centered around a mysterious tournament in the TV world.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.

9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)

A sequel to Persona 4 Arena, expanding the roster and continuing the story.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

A rhythm-based dancing game featuring the Investigation Team, set in the Midnight Stage. The events are canon.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

Persona 5 takes place in Tokyo, following Joker and the Phantom Thieves as they infiltrate palaces and change the hearts of evildoers. It builds on previous entries' mechanics.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

• Persona 5 Royal: Expanded re-release with new content, a companion, dungeon, and semester.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

A sequel to Persona Q, featuring a crossover of characters trapped in a movie theater, exploring movie-based dungeons.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

A strategy spin-off set during Persona 5, featuring tactical grid-based combat in an alternate realm.

Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

A rhythm-based dancing game featuring the Phantom Thieves.

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

A spin-off set after Persona 5, featuring real-time combat inspired by the Dynasty Warriors franchise.

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 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?

2024 saw the release of Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio. Sega's continued investment in Atlus and the Persona IP is evident.

Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game, is anticipated for global release following launches in Asia. It features an original story with new characters.

Persona 6 is highly anticipated, though not yet officially confirmed.