"Persona Games and Spin-Offs: Complete Timeline"

Originally a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a major force in the world of modern RPGs. With its expansive universe spanning multiple sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays, Persona has become a multimedia phenomenon that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The latest addition, Persona 3 Reload, is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, sparking interest among new players eager to dive into the series. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off, including the best starting point for newcomers, as well as the chronological and release order of the series.

Jump to:

• How to play in order
• How to play by release date
• Upcoming releases

Which modern Persona game is the best? --------------------------------------

Persona 3 ReloadPersona 4 GoldenPersona 5 RoyalOther (Tell us in the comments!)

Answer See Results

How Many Persona Games Are There?

There are currently twenty Persona games in total. These include expanded versions of the mainline entries, featuring new story content or remakes. We'll list every alternate version of each game below, excluding direct ports or remasters.

Which Persona Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers, starting with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is highly recommended. These are the latest versions of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, available on PC and most major consoles, except for Persona 3 Reload, which is not yet on Nintendo Switch.

If you're worried about missing out on the story by starting with a later entry, rest assured that each game features a new, standalone story with original characters, making them perfect entry points. To help you 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

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)

The inaugural game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was Atlus's response to the positive reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If…, another high-school-themed spin-off. Revelations: Persona introduced a full dungeon-crawling RPG experience, where a group of high schoolers combat a supernatural uprising in Mikage-cho. The game laid the groundwork for the franchise, introducing key elements like Personas in combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast of heroes.

2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)

The second entry, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, follows a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou. They embark on a mission to defeat the mysterious villain, Joker, and the cult of the Masked Circle. The game centers around a plot where rumors in Sumaru come to life, featuring dungeon exploration, Persona combat, and party leveling. 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 from Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment features Maya Amano as the protagonist. Tasked with investigating the Joker Curse, Maya and her allies confront a returning enemy. The game maintains the series' turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay, focusing on Persona combat and party development.

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 in the series, emphasizing its high-school setting with a daily calendar system. Players manage protagonist Makoto Yuki's life, balancing school, friendships, and battling shadows in Tartarus during the Dark Hour. This entry 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 female protagonist campaign. Persona 3 Portable included the female protagonist 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 dancing spin-off set during the main campaign, Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight features Elizabeth challenging the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. The events occur in a dream but are canon, with the team performing 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, who moves to live with his uncle and cousin. A series of murders leads Yu and his friends to a mysterious realm accessible through TV monitors. The game builds on Persona 3's mechanics, using a calendar system to balance social links, school, and dungeon exploration.

Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.

Alternate Versions of Persona 4:

Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, added new story content and an additional dungeon, considered the definitive version of the game.

7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)

A crossover between Persona 3 and 4, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth occurs during both games' timelines. The S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad are trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School, exploring a labyrinth and battling new enemies in a nod to the series' dungeon-crawler origins.

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

8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)

A continuation of both Persona 3 and 4, Persona 4 Arena introduces a fighting game where Yu Narukami returns to Inaba and enters a mysterious tournament in the TV world. Players control iconic Persona characters in battles against 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 continues the story, with the Persona 4 squad and Shadow Operatives battling in the TV World. It introduces returning characters from Persona 3, enhancing the fighting game experience.

Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)

A rhythm-based dancing game, Persona 4: Dancing All Night continues the storyline with the Investigation Squad performing in the Midnight Stage, an alternate dimension. The game is fully canon and features iconic Persona tracks.

Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.

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

Set in Tokyo, Persona 5 follows protagonist Joker, who, after being framed, discovers a supernatural realm to infiltrate palaces and change hearts. As the Phantom Thieves, the group becomes notorious, building on the series' established mechanics with new features like Mementos. Persona 5 became Atlus's best-selling game, significantly expanding the franchise's fanbase.

Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.

Alternate Versions of Persona 5:

Persona 5 Royal, released in 2019, added new content, including a companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the ultimate version of the game.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth features a crossover of Persona 3, 4, and 5 characters trapped in a movie theater. They explore movie-themed dungeons to fix their endings, maintaining the series' turn-based combat and first-person dungeon exploration.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Set during Persona 5, 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 from Tyrant Marie using tactical grid-based combat.

Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

The third dancing spin-off, Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, features the Phantom Thieves in the Velvet Room, challenged to a dance-off by Caroline and Justine. They perform routines to Persona 5's catchy tracks.

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation that leads them back into the Metaverse via the EMMA app. This spin-off introduces real-time combat inspired by Dynasty Warriors, with the team battling hordes of enemies.

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?

In 2024, fans of Atlus RPGs enjoyed two releases: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from Atlus's Studio Zero. Following Metaphor's success and numerous awards, Sega announced plans to further invest in Atlus and the Persona franchise during a developers' Q&A session.

The next Persona 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. A Japanese release is imminent following a closed beta sign-up in October, with a global release expected, though no official date has been announced. The Phantom X features an original story set in the Persona 5 universe, introducing new characters who become Phantom Thieves.

Persona 6 is the eagerly anticipated next mainline entry, though Atlus has yet to officially confirm its development.