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

The Persona series, initially a spin-off from the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, has evolved into a powerhouse in the world of modern RPGs. With its compelling narratives, engaging gameplay, and a diverse range of multimedia adaptations—including sequels, remakes, anime, and stage plays—Persona has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. The latest installment, Persona 3 Reload, now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, has sparked interest among new players eager to dive into the series. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off, along with recommendations for the best entry points for newcomers, 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

How Many Persona Games Are There?

The Persona series boasts a total of twenty games. These include mainline entries, expanded versions with new story content, and remakes. We'll detail all alternate versions of each game in our lists below, excluding direct ports and 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 is not on Nintendo Switch.

Jumping into any of these titles won't spoil the overarching story, as each game introduces a fresh narrative with new characters, making them perfect starting points. To help you 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 descriptions contain mild spoilers regarding characters, settings, and story elements.

1. Revelations: Persona (1996)

The inaugural game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was inspired by the success of Shin Megami Tensei: If... and revolved around high school students combating supernatural forces in Mikage-cho. Players wield Personas in combat, delve into dungeons, and engage with foundational elements like the Velvet Room, which would define the franchise.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

Following the adventures of Tatsuya Suou and his high school friends, Innocent Sin focuses on battling a mysterious villain and a cult in Sumaru City. It introduces the concept of rumors coming to life and continues the series' tradition of dungeon exploration and Persona combat.

Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)

A direct sequel to Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment shifts focus to Maya Amano, who investigates the Joker Curse. It retains the series' core gameplay mechanics while expanding on the narrative.

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 revolutionizes the series by integrating a daily calendar system, blending high school life with battling shadows in Tartarus. The story revolves around Makoto Yuki and his fight against a sinister plot during the Dark Hour. This entry introduces social links and daily activities, becoming a cornerstone for future games.

Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.

Alternate Versions of Persona 3:

• Persona 3 FES: Adds The Answer and an alternate female protagonist campaign.
• Persona 3 Portable: Features the female protagonist route but omits The Answer.
• Persona 3 Reload: A modern remake of the base game, excluding The Answer and the female protagonist route.

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

A rhythm-based spin-off set during the main campaign, where the S.E.E.S team engages in a dance-off in the Velvet Room. The events are canon, occurring within a dream sequence.

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

Set in Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami as he uncovers the mystery behind a series of murders linked to a TV world. The game expands on Persona 3's mechanics, with a calendar system and deep social links.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

• Persona 4 Golden: Adds new story content and an additional dungeon, considered the definitive version.

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

A crossover between Persona 3 and 4, set during specific segments of both games. The teams unite in a warped version of Yasogami High School, 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 stories of Persona 3 and 4, with Yu Narukami returning to Inaba for a mysterious tournament. It features characters from both games in a battle against each other and the Shadow Operatives.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.

9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)

A direct sequel to Persona 4 Arena, where the teams face off against the forces behind the tournament. It expands the roster and continues the narrative.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

A rhythm-based dancing game that continues the story of Persona 4, with the Investigation Squad entering the Midnight Stage for a dance-off.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

Set in Tokyo, Persona 5 follows Joker and the Phantom Thieves as they infiltrate palaces to change the hearts of corrupt individuals. The game introduces new mechanics like Mementos and becomes Atlus' best-selling title.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

• Persona 5 Royal: Adds new content, including a companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the ultimate version.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

A sequel to Persona Q, featuring a crossover of characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5. They navigate a movie theater, entering different films to alter their endings and escape.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off where the Phantom Thieves combat enemies in the Kingdoms, using a tactical grid-based system.

Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

A rhythm-based dancing game where the Phantom Thieves face off in a dance competition in the Velvet Room.

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers follows the Phantom Thieves on a summer vacation turned Metaverse adventure, introducing 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?

The next anticipated project is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game set in the world of Persona 5 with new characters and an original story. It has been released in several Asian regions, with a Japanese release on the horizon and a global launch expected, though no official dates have been announced.

Lastly, while not yet confirmed, fans eagerly await news on Persona 6, the next mainline entry in the RPG series.