"Persona Games and Spin-Offs: Complete Chronological List"
- By Michael
- May 12,2025
Originally a spin-off from the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a major force in modern RPGs, captivating fans with its deep narratives, engaging gameplay, and memorable characters. From multiple sequels and remakes to anime adaptations and stage plays, Persona has become a multimedia phenomenon that continues to grow in popularity.
With the recent release of Persona 3 Reload on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, newcomers might be wondering where to begin their journey into this beloved series. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off, including the best starting points for new players, 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
How Many Persona Games Are There?
There are currently twenty Persona games in total. These include mainline entries, as well as expanded versions and remakes. While we won't list direct ports or remasters, we'll detail every alternate version of each game in the listings 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 choice. These are the latest versions of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, respectively, and are available on PC and most major consoles, except for Persona 3 Reload, which is not available on Nintendo Switch.
If you're worried about missing out on the story by starting with a later entry, rest assured that each game offers a standalone narrative with new characters, making them perfect starting points. To help you choose, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to see which one 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 for each game, covering characters, settings, and key story elements.
1. Revelations: Persona (1996)
The first game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was born from the success of Shin Megami Tensei: If…, another high-school-themed spin-off. Revelations: Persona expanded on this concept, offering a full-fledged dungeon-crawling RPG set in Mikage-cho, where high school students battle a supernatural uprising using their awakened Personas. This game laid the groundwork for the franchise, introducing core elements like Persona combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast.
2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
Persona 2: Innocent Sin continued the series in 1999, introducing a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou. They embark on a mission to stop a villain known as Joker and the Masked Circle cult. Set in Sumaru City, the game explores the dangerous consequences of rumors coming to life, with gameplay centered around dungeon exploration, Persona battles, and party development. A sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, followed a year later, continuing the narrative.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
Following Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment shifts the focus to Maya Amano, who becomes the protagonist. As she investigates a new rumor about the "Joker Curse," Maya and her allies confront returning enemies in this direct continuation. The gameplay remains consistent with turn-based combat, dungeon crawling, and Persona battles.
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 revolutionized the series by integrating a daily calendar system, balancing school life and social interactions with supernatural battles in Tartarus. The protagonist, Makoto Yuki, explores the Dark Hour, where he and his classmates fight shadows to uncover a world-threatening plot. This entry introduced social links and day-to-day activities, which have become hallmarks of the series.
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 "The Answer" chapter and a female protagonist route. Persona 3 Portable offered the female route but omitted "The Answer." Persona 3 Reload is a modern remake of the base game, excluding both "The Answer" and the female protagonist route.
5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)
A rhythm-based dancing spin-off, Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight, takes place during the main campaign. Elizabeth challenges the S.E.E.S team to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, set in a dream but canon to the story. Players perform dance routines 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 there and discovers a connection between local murders and a mysterious realm accessible through TV monitors. As Yu and his friends delve into this world, they use their Personas to stop the murders. Building on Persona 3's mechanics, Persona 4 utilizes a calendar system, social links, and 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 way to experience it.
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 S.E.E.S team and the Investigation Squad are trapped in a distorted Yasogami High School, working together to escape and uncover a new story. This spin-off revisits the series' dungeon-crawler roots.
Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)
Persona 4 Arena is the franchise's first major spin-off, continuing the narratives of Persona 3 and 4. Yu Narukami returns to Inaba and enters a mysterious fighting tournament in the TV world, battling allies and members of the Shadow Operatives from Persona 3.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
A sequel to Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax continues the story directly after the first game. The Persona 4 squad and the Shadow Operatives team up to combat forces in the TV World. Ultimax expands the roster, including returning characters from Persona 3.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
In this rhythm-based dancing game, the Investigation Squad performs routines to iconic Persona tracks. Set in an alternate dimension called the Midnight Stage, Dancing All Night offers a canon 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 takes players to Tokyo, where protagonist Joker, on probation for a crime he didn't commit, discovers a supernatural dimension. With his friends, he infiltrates palaces to change the hearts of evildoers as the Phantom Thieves. Building on previous games, Persona 5 introduced a new dungeon system and became Atlus' best-selling game.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal, released in 2019, adds a new 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 characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5. The Phantom Thieves are trapped in a movie theater and must team up with the S.E.E.S and Investigation Squad to escape, exploring movie-themed dungeons.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
Set during the events of Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off similar to XCOM. The Phantom Thieves are transported to an alternate realm, the Kingdoms, where they must save their brainwashed allies and defeat Tyrant Marie using tactical grid-based combat.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)
In this rhythm-based dancing spin-off, Caroline and Justine challenge the Phantom Thieves to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, performing 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 an app called EMMA. Combining elements of the Dynasty Warriors series, Strikers features real-time combat against 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 were treated to two new releases: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, an all-new RPG from Atlus's Studio Zero. Following the success of Metaphor, which won several awards, Sega expressed their commitment to further invest in Atlus and the Persona franchise.The next Persona project to watch is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game released in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024. A Japanese release is on the horizon after a closed beta sign-up in October, and a global release is anticipated, though no official date has been confirmed. The Phantom X features an original story set in the Persona 5 universe, with new characters taking on the roles of Phantom Thieves.
Persona 6 is the eagerly awaited next mainline entry in the RPG series, though Atlus has yet to officially confirm its development.
