"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 one of the most iconic JRPG franchises. Persona 5, in particular, has become so iconic that fans, often referred to as gamer-tourists, flock to Shibuya station to capture the legendary shot of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Interestingly, the station has been remodeled since, but enthusiasts can still find the perfect angle for their photos.

The success of the Persona series, however, developed surprisingly slowly. Initially a spin-off of Atlus' other RPG franchise, Shin Megami Tensei, the first Persona game was released nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the game titles might suggest, there are actually six mainline Persona games, not counting the numerous spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions. 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 highly rewarding, though some titles are more accessible than others. Here's a guide on where you can legally play all the mainline Persona games. Be prepared, as you might need to invest in a PSP to enjoy some of these classics.

Revelations: Persona

Revelations: Persona, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, has seen subsequent releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The game follows heroes who gain their personas through fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most recent hardware it's been "re-released" on is the PlayStation Classic, Sony’s 2018 mini-console. Currently, there's no modern version available, so you'll need a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, Atlus has shown interest in remaking older Persona titles, so fans can hope for a future remastered release.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Also known as Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this game initially launched on the PlayStation in 1999 in Japan, with a localized version for North America and Europe arriving on the PSP in 2011. It's also available on the PlayStation Vita. The narrative follows a group of high schoolers in the fictional town of Sumaru battling a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors can alter reality. Unfortunately, there's no modern console version available at present.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Eternal Punishment, a direct sequel to Innocent Sin, was released in 2000 and follows the "Joker Curse" storyline through the eyes of a teenage reporter. It saw a simultaneous North American release and later received a PSP remake in 2011, which was also available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 owners in 2013. Like its predecessor, it's not available on modern hardware, but there's hope for a future remaster.

Persona 3

Persona 3 marked the series' emergence from the Shin Megami Tensei shadow, released on the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America. The game explores themes of death and the "Dark Hour" time anomaly. Persona 3 FES, with an additional epilogue, was released for the PS3. Persona 3 Portable, an abridged version, initially launched for the PSP but was later made available on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical versions released in 2023. 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.

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 available on nearly every modern platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Physical versions are available for all platforms except PC.

Persona 5

Persona 5 catapulted the series into mainstream recognition, launching simultaneously on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in 2016 in Japan and 2017 worldwide. The definitive version, Persona 5 Royal, released in North America in March 2020, follows a protagonist, codenamed Joker, who is wrongfully accused and relocates to Tokyo, becoming entangled in the world of "palaces" and the Phantom Thieves. Persona 5 Royal is now available on nearly all modern platforms, with both physical and digital copies accessible through various online stores.