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

Originally a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a powerhouse in the world of modern RPGs. With its expansive universe spanning multiple sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays, Persona has cemented itself as a multimedia phenomenon, showing no signs of slowing down. The latest addition, Persona 3 Reload, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, has sparked curiosity among new players about the best starting point. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off in the series, including the ideal entry for newcomers and both chronological and release order listings.

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, including various enhanced versions of the mainline titles. These enhanced versions often include new story content or remakes. While we won't list direct ports or remasters, we will highlight all alternate versions of each game in the sections below.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers eager to dive into the Persona universe, starting with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is highly recommended. These are the most recent iterations of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, and are available on PC and most major consoles, with the exception of Persona 3 Reload on Nintendo Switch.

If you're worried about missing out on the story by starting with a later entry, rest assured: each game features a standalone narrative with new characters, making them perfect entry points for fresh players. 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 include mild spoilers such as characters, settings, and story elements.

1. Revelations: Persona (1996)

Revelations: Persona kicked off the series, inspired by the positive reception to Shin Megami Tensei: If…, another high-school themed spin-off. It introduced the concept of a full dungeon-crawling RPG where high schoolers battle supernatural forces in Mikage-cho using their Personas. This game laid the groundwork for the series, introducing key elements like Personas in combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

Persona 2: Innocent Sin continued the series' tradition of high-school settings, following Tatsuya Suou and his friends as they tackle the mysterious villain, Joker, and the Masked Circle cult. The game delves into a plot where rumors come to life, blending dungeon exploration, Persona battles, and party development. It's notable for receiving a direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, a year later.

Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)

Eternal Punishment picks up where Innocent Sin left off, with Maya Amano stepping into the protagonist role. The story revolves around the Joker Curse and continues the turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay, allowing players to develop their party and harness their Personas against 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, splitting gameplay between school life and battling shadows in the supernatural realm of Tartarus. The story follows Makoto Yuki, who navigates the mysterious Dark Hour to uncover a world-threatening plot. This entry introduced social links and day-to-day activities, staples of the series.

Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.

Alternate Versions of Persona 3:

Persona 3 has seen multiple re-releases. Persona 3 FES added The Answer chapter and a female protagonist option. Persona 3 Portable included the female protagonist but omitted The Answer. Persona 3 Reload, a full remake for modern consoles, excludes both The Answer and the female protagonist route.

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

This rhythm-based dancing spin-off occurs during the main campaign of Persona 3, where Elizabeth challenges the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. Set within a dream, the events are canon, featuring dance routines to iconic Persona 3 tracks.

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

Persona 4 transports players to the rural town of Inaba, where protagonist Yu Narukami investigates a series of murders linked to an otherworldly realm accessible through TV screens. The game enhances the calendar system from Persona 3, balancing 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 expanded version with 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 between Persona 3 and 4, set during specific events in both games. The characters are trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School and must navigate a labyrinth to return to their timelines, blending traditional dungeon-crawling with the series' narrative style.

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

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

Persona 4 Arena is the first major spin-off, continuing the narratives of Persona 3 and 4. Yu Narukami returns to Inaba and enters a fighting tournament in the TV world, facing 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, bringing back the Persona 4 squad and the Shadow Operatives to battle mysterious forces in the TV World.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

This rhythm-based dancing game continues the Persona 4 storyline in the Midnight Stage, a new alternate dimension. The Investigation Squad performs dance routines to iconic tracks, offering a unique and canon continuation.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

Persona 5 introduces players to Tokyo as protagonist Joker, on probation for a crime he didn't commit. The group, known as the Phantom Thieves, infiltrates mystical palaces to reform evil-doers. Persona 5 builds on the series' formula with large story-focused levels and a new dungeon system called Mementos.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

Persona 5 Royal, the enhanced re-release, adds a new companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the most comprehensive version of the game.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

New Cinema Labyrinth is another crossover, this time involving characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5. Trapped in a movie theater, the groups explore cinematic worlds to fix their endings, blending first-person dungeon exploration with turn-based combat.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during Persona 5, Persona 5 Tactica introduces a strategy-focused spin-off similar to the XCOM series. The Phantom Thieves navigate the Kingdoms to save their brainwashed allies from Tyrant Marie, utilizing a tactical grid-based combat system.

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 routines to catchy Persona 5 tracks.

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves during a summer vacation, leading them back into the Metaverse via the EMMA app. This spin-off integrates real-time combat inspired by the Dynasty Warriors series, allowing players to engage hordes of enemies with combos and Persona abilities.

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?

Keep an eye on Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game released in several Asian markets in 2024, with a Japanese release soon to follow after a closed beta. While a global launch is anticipated, no official dates have been announced. This game introduces an original story within the Persona 5 universe, featuring new characters embracing the Phantom Thieves' legacy.

Lastly, anticipation builds for Persona 6, the next mainline RPG in the series, though Atlus has yet to confirm its development officially.