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

The Persona series, which began as a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, has evolved into a powerhouse in the world of modern RPGs. With its rich storytelling, engaging characters, and unique gameplay mechanics, Persona has expanded into a multimedia empire, including major sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays. Its popularity continues to soar, captivating a global audience. The latest addition, Persona 3 Reload, is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, prompting many new players to wonder where to begin their journey into this enthralling series. Below, we'll provide a comprehensive overview of every game and spin-off, along with the best starting point for newcomers and the chronological and release order of the series.

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How Many Persona Games Are There?

Currently, there are twenty Persona games in total. These include expanded versions of the mainline entries, featuring new story content or remakes. While we won't list direct ports or remasters, we'll highlight every alternate version of each game below.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers, diving into Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is a great way to start. These are the latest versions of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively. They are available on PC and most major consoles, except Persona 3 Reload, which is not yet on Nintendo Switch.

Each game offers a standalone story with new characters, so you won't miss out on the narrative by starting with any of these titles. To help decide, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to see which one resonates with you the most.

Persona 3 Reload

54Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X. See it at Amazon

Persona 4 Golden

42Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Nintendo

Persona 5 Royal

103Available 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 of the series, Revelations: Persona, was Atlus's response to the positive feedback on Shin Megami Tensei: If…, another spin-off centered around high-schoolers battling demons. Building on the beloved concept, Revelations: Persona introduced a full dungeon-crawling RPG set in Mikage-cho, where a group of high schoolers combat a supernatural uprising. They harness the power of their Personas to defeat shadows and explore dungeons, laying the groundwork for the series with elements like the Velvet Room and a youthful cast of heroes.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

The second entry, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, launched in 1999 and follows a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou. They battle a mysterious villain, Joker, and the cult of the Masked Circle amidst a plot where rumors manifest into reality in Sumaru City. The game maintains the series' core mechanics of dungeon exploration, Persona combat, and shadow battles. It was followed by a direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, a year later.

Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)

Continuing the story from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment features Maya Amano as the protagonist. Tasked with investigating a rumor about the Joker Curse, Maya and her allies face familiar foes. The game retains the turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay, with players enhancing their party and using Personas to battle 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 for the series, emphasizing its high-school setting with a daily calendar system. Players experience life as Makoto Yuki, who navigates the Dark Hour—a mysterious time where regular people are trapped in coffins and a demonic tower emerges from his school. Alongside his classmates, Makoto explores Tartarus, uncovering a sinister plot. Persona 3 introduced social links, daily activities, and other mechanics that have become staples of the franchise.

Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.

Alternate Versions of Persona 3:

Persona 3 has seen multiple releases. Persona 3 FES added the follow-up chapter, The Answer, and a female protagonist campaign. Persona 3 Portable included 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)

A rhythm-based dancing spin-off set during Persona 3's main campaign, Dancing in Moonlight sees Elizabeth challenge the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. Although taking place in a dream, the events are canon, featuring the team dancing 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. A series of violent murders prompts Yu and his friends to investigate a mysterious realm accessible through TV monitors. They battle supernatural forces to uncover the truth behind the murders. Persona 4 builds on Persona 3's mechanics, using a calendar system and social links alongside dungeon exploration.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, expanded the original game with 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, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth occurs during specific segments of both games' timelines. The S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad find themselves trapped in a distorted version of Yasogami High School. They must navigate a labyrinth and battle new enemies to return to their respective timelines, harking back to the series' dungeon-crawler roots.

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

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

A fighting game spin-off that continues the narratives of Persona 3 and 4, Persona 4 Arena sees Yu Narukami return to Inaba and enter a mysterious fighting tournament in the TV world. It features a roster of 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 directly after Arena, Ultimax expands the fighting game with an increased roster, including characters from Persona 3. The Persona 4 squad and the Shadow Operatives team up to confront the forces behind the tournament in the TV world.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

An unexpected rhythm-based dancing spin-off, Dancing All Night sees the Investigation Squad performing to Persona tracks in an alternate dimension called the Midnight Stage. It offers a canonical continuation of the Persona 4 storyline.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

Persona 5 transports players to Tokyo, where the protagonist, Joker, is on probation after being framed. He and his friends uncover an alternate dimension, infiltrating palaces to change the hearts of corrupt individuals. As the Phantom Thieves, they become notorious in Tokyo. Building on the series' mechanics, Persona 5 introduced new systems like Mementos, becoming Atlus' best-selling game and garnering a massive following.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

Persona 5 Royal expanded the original game with new features, including a new companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the ultimate version.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth is another crossover, this time involving Persona 3, 4, and 5. The Phantom Thieves find themselves trapped in a movie theater and team up with characters from the other games to explore movie-themed dungeons and alter their endings.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off similar to XCOM. The Phantom Thieves are transported to the Kingdoms, where they must save their brainwashed allies and defeat the monstrous ruler, Tyrant Marie, using a tactical grid-based combat system.

Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

The third rhythm-based dancing spin-off, Dancing in Starlight sees 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 during a summer vacation. They are drawn back into the Metaverse via an app called EMMA and must uncover its secrets. Strikers blends real-time combat with Dynasty Warriors-style battles, allowing the team to fight 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?

The next Persona project to anticipate is the free-to-play mobile game, Persona 5: The Phantom X, which has been released in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024, with a Japanese release soon following a closed beta sign-up in October. A global release is expected, though no official details have been announced. The Phantom X features an original story set in the Persona 5 universe, introducing new characters who rise as Phantom Thieves.

Persona 6, the eagerly awaited next mainline RPG, remains unconfirmed by Atlus, but fans are hopeful for its development.