"Guide to Legally Playing All Persona Games in 2025"

In the wake of the release of Persona 5 Royal, Atlus' Persona series has solidified its status as an iconic JRPG franchise. Persona 5, in particular, has become so iconic that fans, often referred to as gamer-tourists, flock to Shibuya station to capture the famous shot of the Phantom Thieves loitering above the Shibuya Scramble. While the station has been remodeled, the iconic angle remains a sought-after photo opportunity.

But the path to this success was gradual. Persona began as a spin-off of Atlus' other RPG franchise, Shin Megami Tensei, with the first game released nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the numbering might suggest, there are six mainline Persona games, not counting the numerous spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions. It's worth noting that Metaphor: ReFantazio is not part of the Persona series.

Exploring the rich, 30-year history of this JRPG franchise is a rewarding journey, although some games are harder to find than others. Here's a guide on where you can legally play all the mainline Persona games. Be prepared: you might need to invest in a PSP.

Revelations: Persona

Revelations: Persona, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, was later ported to Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The game follows heroes who gain their personas through an epic fortune-telling session. Unfortunately, the most recent re-release is on the PlayStation Classic, Sony's 2018 remake of the original PlayStation. As of now, there is no version available on modern hardware. You'll need a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, given Atlus' commitment to remaking older titles, a modern remastered version may be on the horizon.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Also known as Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this game was initially released in Japan for the PlayStation in 1999, with a localized version for the PSP in 2011 and the PlayStation Vita. It tells the story of a group of high schoolers in the fictional town of Sumaru battling a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors have the power to alter reality. Unfortunately, like Revelations: Persona, it is not available on modern consoles.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Eternal Punishment is a direct sequel to Innocent Sin, released in 2000. It continues the "Joker Curse" storyline but through the eyes of a new protagonist, a teenage reporter. While it was more widely released, including a simultaneous North American launch on the PlayStation, its most recent version is a 2011 PSP remake available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 users in 2013. There is no modern hardware version yet, but fans hope for a future two-for-one remake of both Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment.

Persona 3

Persona 3 marked the series' emergence from the Shin Megami Tensei shadow, released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America. It follows teens grappling with the concept of death while investigating the "Dark Hour." The Persona 3 FES version, with an additional epilogue, is playable on the PS3.

The game has seen multiple remakes, including Persona 3 Portable, originally for the PSP and later ported to PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical releases in 2023. Many consider Portable the best version. The latest iteration, Persona 3 Reload, released in 2024, caters to fans of Persona 5 Royal and is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, with physical versions for PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

Persona 4

Two years after Persona 3, Persona 4 launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2008, presenting a classic murder mystery where teens use their personas to solve a series of killings. The game quickly garnered a passionate following.

The enhanced version, Persona 4 Golden, released for the PlayStation Vita in 2012, is now available across multiple platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Physical versions are available for all platforms except PC.

Persona 5

While Persona 4 gained acclaim, Persona 5 catapulted the series into mainstream gaming culture. Released simultaneously for the PS3 and PS4 in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017, it introduced players to the world of "palaces" and the Phantom Thieves. The enhanced version, Persona 5 Royal, released in North America in March 2020 amidst the global shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a tantalizing glimpse of Tokyo.

Persona 5 Royal is now playable on nearly all modern platforms: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital versions widely available.