Legal Play Options for All Persona Games in 2025

In the wake of the release of Persona 5 Royal, Atlus' Persona series has firmly established itself as one of the most iconic JRPG franchises. Persona 5 has become so iconic that it draws fans to Shibuya station, eager to capture the famous shot of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble, despite the area's recent remodeling.

The success of the Persona series, however, was not an overnight phenomenon. Originally a spin-off of Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei series, the first Persona game was released nearly three decades ago. Despite the numbering, there are actually six mainline Persona games, not counting the numerous spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced editions. It's worth noting that Metaphor: ReFantazio does not fall under the Persona umbrella.

Exploring the rich 30-year history of this JRPG series is a rewarding endeavor, though some titles are harder to come by than others. Here's a guide to where you can legally play all the mainline Persona games. Be prepared, you might need a PSP.

Revelations: Persona

Revelations: Persona, released in 1996 for the PlayStation, was later made available on Microsoft Windows and the PlayStation Portable. The game features heroes gaining their personas through fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most recent re-release is on the PlayStation Classic from 2018, meaning it's not available on modern hardware. You'll need to find a physical copy for PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, given Atlus' track record, fans can hope for a future remastered version.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Known also as Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this sequel was initially released for the PlayStation in Japan in 1999, with a North American and European release on the PSP in 2011. It's also available on the PlayStation Vita. Set in the fictional town of Sumaru, the game follows high school students battling a mysterious villain named Joker whose rumors alter reality. Unfortunately, there's no modern console version available.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Eternal Punishment, the direct sequel to Innocent Sin, was released in 2000 and picks up a few months after its predecessor, focusing on the "Joker Curse" from a new protagonist's perspective, a teenage reporter. It saw a simultaneous North American release and later a PSP remake in 2011, which was also available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 in 2013. Like its predecessor, it's not currently available on modern hardware, but a potential remastered collection could be on the horizon.

Persona 3

Persona 3 marked a turning point for the series, distancing itself from Shin Megami Tensei. Released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2, it explores themes of death through a time anomaly called the "Dark Hour." An expanded version, Persona 3 FES, added an epilogue and was released for the PS3. Persona 3 Portable, originally for PSP, has been remade and is available on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The latest iteration, Persona 3 Reload (2024), appeals to fans of Persona 5 Royal and is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Persona 4

Persona 4, released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2, is a beloved murder mystery where teens use their personas to solve a series of murders. The enhanced version, Persona 4 Golden, initially released for the PlayStation Vita in 2012, is now widely available across PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with physical versions for all platforms except PC.

Persona 5

Persona 5 catapulted the series to widespread recognition, launching simultaneously on PS3 and PS4 in 2016 in Japan and 2017 worldwide. Its definitive version, Persona 5 Royal, released in 2020, follows a protagonist named Joker who, after being wrongfully accused, navigates the world of "palaces" and leads the Phantom Thieves. Persona 5 Royal is available on a wide range of modern platforms, including PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital options.