"Chronological List of All Persona Games and Spin-Offs"

Originally a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a juggernaut in the realm of modern RPGs, captivating audiences with its compelling narratives, deep character development, and innovative gameplay. From major sequels and remakes to anime adaptations and even stage plays, Persona has transcended gaming to become a multimedia phenomenon, showing no signs of slowing down. 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 this beloved series. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off in the franchise, including the best starting points for newcomers, along with 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. This number includes various expanded versions of the mainline entries, which often feature new story content or are complete remakes. While we exclude direct ports and remasters, we highlight every alternate version of each game in the listings below.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers, starting with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is a safe bet. These are the most recent iterations of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, and are accessible on PC and all major consoles, except for Persona 3 Reload, which is not yet available on the Nintendo Switch.

If you're concerned about missing out on the overarching story by jumping into later entries, rest assured that each game introduces a fresh narrative and new characters, making them ideal starting points. To choose the best fit for you, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to see which resonates with you the most.

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)

Revelations: Persona marked the beginning of the series, inspired by the positive response to Shin Megami Tensei: If…. It introduced a full dungeon-crawling RPG experience where a group of high school students in Mikage-cho combat a supernatural uprising. Utilizing their awakened Personas, the group navigates dungeons, battles shadows, and strengthens their party. This game laid the foundation for the series, introducing key elements such as Personas, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

Persona 2: Innocent Sin follows a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou, who battle a mysterious villain named Joker and the Masked Circle cult. The game's plot revolves around rumors turning into reality in Sumaru City. Like its predecessor, it focuses on dungeon exploration, Persona usage, and shadow combat. It was followed by a direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, just a year later.

Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)

Continuing from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment elevates Maya Amano to the protagonist role. Tasked with investigating the Joker Curse rumor, Maya and her allies confront a recurring adversary. The game retains the turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay, with players managing 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 revolutionized the series with its integration of daily life and high-school activities into the gameplay. The story follows Makoto Yuki, who can access the Dark Hour, a mysterious time where regular people are trapped in coffins, and a demonic tower emerges from his school. Makoto and his classmates explore Tartarus, uncovering a sinister plot. The game introduced social links and day-to-day activities, becoming a cornerstone of 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 added The Answer and an alternate campaign with a female protagonist. Persona 3 Portable included the female protagonist route but omitted The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a full remake for modern consoles, excluding The Answer and the female protagonist route.

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

A rhythm-based spin-off, Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight, features the S.E.E.S team in a dance-off in the Velvet Room, initiated by Elizabeth. Set within a dream during the main campaign, it's a canonical addition to the story, showcasing the team's dance routines to iconic Persona 3 tracks.

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

Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami, a city high schooler who moves to live with his uncle and cousin. As a series of violent murders unfold, Yu and his friends discover a connection to a mysterious realm accessible through TV monitors. They explore this new world to uncover the truth behind the murders, using their Personas. The game expands on Persona 3's calendar system, social links, and dungeon exploration.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, is an enhanced version featuring 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)

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is a crossover set during the events of Persona 3 and 4. Both the S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad find themselves trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School during a typhoon and a culture festival, respectively. They collaborate to navigate a labyrinth, face new enemies, and uncover an original story, harking back to the series' dungeon-crawler origins.

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

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

Persona 4 Arena bridges the narratives of Persona 3 and 4, marking the franchise's first major spin-off. It features Yu Narukami returning to Inaba and entering a mysterious fighting tournament in the TV world. Players can battle as iconic characters from both games, including the Shadow Operatives from Persona 3.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.

9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)

Following the events of Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax sees the Persona 4 squad and the Shadow Operatives teaming up to return to the TV World and confront the forces behind the fighting tournament. This sequel expands the roster with characters from Persona 3.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

Persona 4: Dancing All Night is a rhythm-based spin-off where the Investigation Squad dances to Persona tracks in the alternate dimension known as the Midnight Stage. It continues the story of Persona 4 in a canonical manner.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

Persona 5 introduces players to Tokyo and casts them as Joker, a high school student on probation for a crime he didn't commit. Joker and his friends uncover a supernatural realm where they infiltrate palaces to change the hearts of corrupt individuals, becoming known as the Phantom Thieves. The game further refines the series' formula with story-focused levels, negotiation systems, and a new dungeon system called Mementos. Persona 5 became Atlus's best-selling game, garnering a massive fan base.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

Persona 5 Royal, released in 2019, adds new features, including a companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the definitive version of the game.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

In Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth, the Phantom Thieves are trapped in a movie theater and ally with the S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad to escape. They travel into movie worlds to fix their endings, exploring dungeons and engaging in turn-based battles, all while simultaneously occurring during the timelines of Persona 3, 4, and 5.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during the events of Persona 5, Persona 5 Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off with a combat system reminiscent of XCOM. The Phantom Thieves find themselves in an alternate realm, the Kingdoms, where they must save their brainwashed friends and defeat Tyrant Marie, using tactical grid-based combat.

Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

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

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

Set four months after Persona 5, Persona 5 Strikers sees the Phantom Thieves reunite for a summer vacation, only to be pulled back into the Metaverse via an app called EMMA. They must uncover the truth behind EMMA and the Metaverse. The game introduces real-time combat inspired by the Dynasty Warriors series, with the Phantom Thieves battling large enemy hordes.

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 project to watch is the free-to-play mobile game Persona 5: The Phantom X, released in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024, with a Japanese release expected soon after a closed beta sign-up in October. A global release is anticipated, though no official date has been announced. The Phantom X features an original story set in the Persona 5 world, introducing new characters as they take on the roles of the Phantom Thieves.

The eagerly awaited Persona 6 has yet to be officially confirmed by Atlus, but fans are hopeful for its eventual announcement.