"Legally Play All Persona Games in 2025: Where to Go"

With the release of *Persona 5 Royal*, Atlus' *Persona* series has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the JRPG genre. *Persona 5*, in particular, has become a cultural phenomenon, drawing fans to Shibuya station for that iconic photo of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Although the station has been remodeled, you can still capture the essence of that famous shot.

Yet, the success of *Persona* was not an overnight sensation. Initially a spin-off from Atlus' *Shin Megami Tensei* series, the first *Persona* game debuted nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the numbering might suggest, there are actually six mainline *Persona* games, not including the various spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions. Note that *Metaphor: ReFantazio* is not part of the *Persona* series.

Exploring the rich 30-year history of this JRPG franchise is a rewarding experience, though accessing some of the games can be challenging. Here’s a guide on where you can legally play all the mainline *Persona* games. A PSP might come in handy.

Revelations: Persona

*Revelations: Persona* hit the shelves in 1996 for the original PlayStation, with subsequent releases on Microsoft Windows and the PlayStation Portable. The game's narrative revolves around heroes gaining personas through fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most recent hardware release is the PlayStation Classic from 2018. No modern versions exist, so you'll need a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, given Atlus' commitment to remakes, a modern remastered version might be on the horizon.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Also known as *Persona 2: Innocent Sin*, this sequel was initially released in Japan for the PlayStation in 1999, with a localized PSP version hitting North America and Europe in 2011. It's also available on the PlayStation Vita. The story follows high schoolers in Sumaru city battling a villain named Joker, whose rumors alter reality. Unfortunately, there's no modern console version available yet.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

A direct sequel to *Innocent Sin*, *Eternal Punishment* released in 2000, continuing the story with a new protagonist, a teenage reporter, and the ongoing "Joker Curse." It saw a simultaneous North American release and a PSP remake in 2011, which was also available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 in 2013. No modern hardware version exists, but there's hope for a future remake.

Persona 3

*Persona 3* marked the series' emergence from the *Shin Megami Tensei* shadow. Released in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America for the PlayStation 2, it explores themes of death through teens investigating the "Dark Hour." *Persona 3 FES*, released the following year, added an epilogue and is playable on PS3. *Persona 3 Portable*, an abridged version, initially for the PSP, was later ported to PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical versions released in 2023. The latest remake, *Persona 3 Reload*, launched in 2024 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, catering to fans of *Persona 5 Royal* with physical versions available for PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

Persona 4

Two years after *Persona 3*, *Persona 4* debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2008, presenting a murder mystery that the protagonists solve using their personas. *Persona 4* has garnered immense love from fans. Its enhanced version, *Persona 4 Golden*, was released for the PlayStation Vita in 2012 and is now available across multiple platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with physical versions for all except PC.

Persona 5

*Persona 5* transformed the series into a household name among gamers. Released simultaneously on PS3 and PS4 in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017, its enhanced version, *Persona 5 Royal*, came out in North America in March 2020, amidst the global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The story follows the protagonist, codenamed Joker, who, after being wrongfully accused of assault, moves to Tokyo and gets entangled in the world of "palaces," created by people's delusions. *Persona 5 Royal* is now available on nearly all modern platforms, including PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with physical and digital versions accessible.