"Persona Games and Spin-Offs: Complete Chronological List"

The Persona series, initially a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, has evolved into a standout series within modern RPGs, captivating fans worldwide. With its rich narrative, engaging gameplay, and diverse multimedia adaptations including anime and stage plays, Persona has become a cultural phenomenon. The latest installment, Persona 3 Reload, is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, sparking interest among new players eager to dive into this beloved series. Below, we provide a comprehensive overview of every game and spin-off, along with recommendations on where to start, and both the chronological and release order of the series.

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, including several expanded versions of the mainline entries, such as re-releases with new story content or remakes. We will list every alternate version of each game below, excluding direct ports or remasters.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers, 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, available on PC and most major consoles, except for Persona 3 Reload, which isn't on Nintendo Switch. Each game offers a new story with original characters, making them perfect entry points for fresh players. To decide, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to find 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 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 inspired by the success of Shin Megami Tensei: If... and introduced the concept of high school students battling demons in the town of Mikage-cho. Players harness the powers of their awakened Personas to combat shadows and navigate dungeons, laying the foundation for the series with elements like the Velvet Room and a teenage cast of heroes.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

In Persona 2: Innocent Sin, protagonist Tatsuya Suou and his high school peers embark on a quest to thwart the villainous Joker and the Masked Circle cult. The game's plot revolves around rumors coming to life in Sumaru, maintaining the series' focus on dungeon exploration, Persona battles, and party development. A direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, was released a year later.

Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)

Following Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment features Maya Amano as the protagonist, investigating the Joker Curse. This direct sequel continues 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 with its daily calendar system, blending school life with battles in the supernatural realm of Tartarus. The story follows Makoto Yuki, who navigates the mysterious Dark Hour to combat a sinister plot. This entry introduced social links and day-to-day activities, becoming a hallmark of the series.

Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.

Alternate Versions of Persona 3:

Persona 3 FES expanded the game with The Answer and a female protagonist option. Persona 3 Portable offered a handheld experience with the female protagonist route but omitted The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a modern remake of the base game, excluding The Answer and the female protagonist route.

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

This rhythm-based dancing spin-off set during Persona 3's main campaign 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 to iconic tracks.

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

Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami, who investigates a series of murders linked to an otherworldly realm accessed through TV monitors. The game builds on Persona 3's mechanics, using a calendar system and social links alongside dungeon exploration and Persona battles.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, added new story content and a dungeon, considered the definitive way to experience the game.

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

A crossover occurring during both Persona 3 and 4, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth sees the S.E.E.S team and Investigation Squad trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School. They navigate a labyrinth and battle new enemies in this nod to the series' dungeon-crawler origins.

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

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

A fighting game spin-off continuing the narratives of Persona 3 and 4, Persona 4 Arena features Yu Narukami in a mysterious tournament in the TV world, facing off against allies and the Shadow Operatives from Persona 3.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.

9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)

Following Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax expands the roster and storyline, with the Persona 4 squad and Shadow Operatives returning to the TV World to battle the tournament's mysterious forces.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

In this rhythm-based dancing game, the Investigation Squad enters the Midnight Stage, performing to iconic Persona tracks in a canon continuation of the storyline.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

Set in Tokyo, Persona 5 follows Joker, a high school student on probation, who discovers a supernatural realm allowing him and his friends to change the hearts of wrongdoers. The game introduced massive story-focused levels, the negotiation system, and Mementos, becoming Atlus' best-selling game.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

Persona 5 Royal adds new content, including a companion, dungeon, and semester, enhancing the game's experience.

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, exploring movie-based dungeons to escape.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off where the Phantom Thieves navigate the Kingdoms, fighting to save their brainwashed allies and return home.

Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

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

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation turned adventure in the Metaverse, featuring real-time combat inspired by Dynasty Warriors.

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 Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from Studio Zero. Following Metaphor's success, Sega announced further investment in Atlus and the Persona series. The next project on the horizon is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game launched in several Asian markets, with a Japanese release following a closed beta. A global release is anticipated, though no official date has been confirmed. This game features an original story set in the Persona 5 universe with new characters becoming Phantom Thieves.

Persona 6, the next anticipated mainline RPG, has not been officially confirmed by Atlus, but fans eagerly await further news.