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, in particular, has become so iconic that fans, often referred to as "gamer-tourists," visit Shibuya station in Tokyo to capture the famous scene of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Interestingly, that specific part of the station was remodeled, but enthusiasts can still find the right angle to recreate the shot.

However, the success of Persona didn't happen overnight. It actually began as a spin-off of Atlus' other RPG franchise, Shin Megami Tensei, with the first game released nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the titles might suggest, there are six mainline Persona games, not five, excluding various spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions. It's also worth noting that Metaphor: ReFantazio is not part of the Persona series.

Exploring the rich, 30-year history of the Persona series is highly rewarding, though some games are more accessible than others. Here's a guide on where you can legally play all the mainline Persona games. Be prepared: 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, was later ported to Microsoft Windows and the PlayStation Portable. The game follows heroes who gain their personas through a dramatic fortune-telling session. Unfortunately, the most recent hardware it's available on is the PlayStation Classic, Sony's 2018 re-release of the original PlayStation. Currently, there's no modern hardware version available, meaning you'll need a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, Atlus has shown interest in remaking older Persona titles, so there's hope for a modern remastered version in the future.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Also known as Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this game was initially released on the PlayStation in 1999, but only in Japan. It wasn't until 2011 that a localized version was made available on the PSP in North America and Europe. It's also playable on the PlayStation Vita. Unfortunately, there's no modern console version available. The story follows a group of high school students in the fictional town of Sumaru as they confront a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors have the power to alter reality.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Eternal Punishment is the direct sequel to Innocent Sin, released in 2000. It continues the story a few months later, focusing on the "Joker Curse" but through the eyes of a new protagonist, a teenage reporter. Unlike Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment saw a simultaneous North American release on the PlayStation in 2000. It was later remade for the PSP in 2011 and made available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 owners in 2013. Unfortunately, it's not available on modern hardware, but there's speculation that Atlus might be planning a combined remake of Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment.

Persona 3

Persona 3 marked the series' emergence from the shadow of Shin Megami Tensei. Released in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America for the PlayStation 2, it follows teens grappling with the concept of death as they explore the "Dark Hour" phenomenon. An expanded version, Persona 3 FES, which includes an additional epilogue, was released the following year for the PS3.

Persona 3 has seen multiple remakes. Persona 3 Portable, an abridged version, was initially released for the PSP and later made available on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Physical versions for Xbox One, Switch, and PS4 were released in 2023, and many consider Portable to be the best iteration of Persona 3.

The latest remake, Persona 3 Reload, released in 2024, is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows. Reload appeals particularly to fans of Persona 5 Royal, with physical versions available for PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

Persona 4

Persona 4 was released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2 and quickly became a beloved classic. It presents a murder mystery where a group of teens use their personas to solve a series of murders. The enhanced version, Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012 for the PlayStation Vita, 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 4 turned heads, but Persona 5 catapulted the series into mainstream gaming culture. Initially released in 2016 for the PS3 and PS4 in Japan and worldwide in 2017, the definitive version, Persona 5 Royal, was released a few years later. It hit North America in March 2020, offering a glimpse of Tokyo just as the world was entering lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persona 5 follows a protagonist, codenamed Joker, who is wrongfully accused of assault and moves to Tokyo to start anew. He soon becomes involved in the world of "palaces," metaphysical realms born from people's delusions. The Phantom Thieves and their "take your heart" calling cards are central to this game.

Persona 5 Royal is now available on nearly all modern platforms: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Both physical and digital versions are available through various online stores.