Legal Ways to Play Persona Games in 2025

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 gained such a cult following that fans, often dubbed gamer-tourists, flock to Shibuya Station to capture the iconic shot of the Phantom Thieves loitering above the Shibuya Scramble. While the station has since been remodeled, the angle can still be found by enthusiasts.

The success of Persona has been a slow burn. Originally a spin-off of Atlus' other RPG series, Shin Megami Tensei, the first Persona game was released nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the game titles might suggest, there aren't five mainline Persona games—there are six, not including various spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced versions. It's worth noting that Metaphor: ReFantazio is not part of the Persona series.

Exploring the rich, 30-year history of the JRPG series is rewarding, though some titles may be harder to find than others. Here's a guide on where you can legally play all the mainline Persona games. You might want to consider investing in a PSP.

Revelations: Persona

Revelations: Persona, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, also saw subsequent releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The game follows heroes who gain their personas through an epic bout of fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most modern hardware on which the game has been re-released is the PlayStation Classic, Sony's 2018 remake of the original PlayStation. This means there's no version of the game available on modern hardware. You'll need to find a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, with Atlus' ongoing commitment to remaking older Persona titles, a remastered modern version might be on the horizon.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Also known simply as Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this second installment was initially released on the PlayStation in 1999 in Japan, with a localized version for North America and Europe not arriving until a decade later on the PSP in 2011. It's also available on the PlayStation Vita. Unfortunately, like Revelations: Persona, there's no way to play Persona 2: Innocent Sin on modern consoles. The story follows a group of high schoolers in the fictional town of Sumaru as they confront a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors can alter reality.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Eternal Punishment is the direct sequel to Innocent Sin and was released in 2000. It continues the story a few months after Innocent Sin, focusing on the "Joker Curse" but through the eyes of a teenage reporter protagonist. Unlike its predecessor, Eternal Punishment saw a simultaneous North American release on the PlayStation. It later received a PlayStation Portable remake in 2011, which was also available on the PlayStation Network, allowing PS3 owners to play it in 2013. Unfortunately, Eternal Punishment is not available on modern hardware, but there's hope that Atlus might release a remastered version combining both Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment.

Persona 3

Persona 3 marked the series' emergence from the shadow of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. Initially released on the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America, the game follows teens grappling with the concept of death while investigating the mysterious "Dark Hour." An expanded version, Persona 3 FES, which includes an additional epilogue, was released the following year and is available on the PS3.

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

The latest version, Persona 3 Reload, released in 2024, is designed to appeal to fans of Persona 5 Royal and is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows. Physical versions are available for the PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

Persona 4

Two years after Persona 3, Persona 4 was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2008. This game presents a classic murder mystery, with a group of teens using their personas to solve a series of murders. Persona 4 has garnered immense affection from fans.

An enhanced version, Persona 4 Golden, was released for the PlayStation Vita in 2012 and is now available on nearly every platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Physical versions are available for all hardware except the PC.

Persona 5

While Persona 4 turned heads, Persona 5 catapulted the series into mainstream gaming culture. The original version was released simultaneously on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017. The enhanced, definitive version, Persona 5 Royal, followed a few years later, hitting North America in March 2020 amidst the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persona 5 follows a protagonist, codenamed Joker, who, after being wrongfully accused of assault, relocates to Tokyo and becomes entangled in the world of "palaces," metaphysical spaces born from people's delusions. This game introduced the world to the Phantom Thieves and their "take your heart" calling cards.

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