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 widespread recognition that gaming enthusiasts flock to Shibuya station, eager to capture the iconic image of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Though the station has undergone remodeling, the perfect angle for that shot remains attainable.

But the journey to this level of acclaim was gradual. Persona originated as a spin-off of Atlus' other RPG franchise, Shin Megami Tensei, with its first installment released nearly three decades ago. Contrary to what the game titles might imply, there are six mainline Persona games, not including various spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced editions. 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 accessing some titles can be challenging. Here's a guide to where you can legally play all the mainline Persona games. Be prepared: you might need to dust off your PSP.

Revelations: Persona

Revelations: Persona debuted in 1996 on the original PlayStation, with later releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The story kicks off with our heroes gaining their personas through an epic fortune-telling session. Unfortunately, the most recent hardware it's been re-released on is the PlayStation Classic in 2018. There's no modern version available, so you'll need a physical copy for your PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, with Atlus' commitment to remastering older titles, a modern version may be on the horizon.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Also known as Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this sequel was initially released in 1999 for the PlayStation, but only in Japan. It wasn't until 2011 that a localized version reached North America and Europe via the PSP. It's also available on the PlayStation Vita. Currently, there's no way to play Innocent Sin on modern consoles. The game follows a group of high schoolers in Sumaru City as they confront a mysterious villain, Joker, whose rumors alter reality itself.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Eternal Punishment is the direct sequel to Innocent Sin, released in 2000. Set months after Innocent Sin, it continues the saga of the "Joker Curse" through the eyes of a teenage reporter protagonist. It saw a simultaneous North American release on the PlayStation in 2000 and a PSP remake in 2011, which was also available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 owners in 2013. While not available on modern hardware, there's hope that Atlus might consider a dual 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 on the PlayStation 2, it follows teens grappling with the concept of death as they explore the "Dark Hour" anomaly. The Persona 3 FES version, which includes an additional epilogue, is playable on the PS3.

Persona 3 has seen multiple remakes. Persona 3 Portable, an abridged version initially for the PSP, later became available on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Physical copies for the Xbox One, Switch, and PS4 were released in 2023. Many fans consider Portable the best version. The latest iteration, Persona 3 Reload, released in 2024, caters to Persona 5 Royal fans and is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows. Physical versions are available for PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

Persona 4

Persona 4 hit the PlayStation 2 in 2008, presenting a gripping murder mystery where teens harness their personas to solve a series of murders. The game has garnered immense affection from fans.

Persona 4 Golden, an enhanced remake, launched on the PlayStation Vita in 2012 and is now available across multiple platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Physical versions are available for all platforms except PC.

Persona 5

While Persona 4 captured attention, Persona 5 transformed the series into a household name. Initially released on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in 2016 in Japan and 2017 worldwide, Persona 5 Royal, the definitive version, followed a few years later. Its North American release in March 2020 offered a glimpse into Tokyo amid the early days of the global COVID-19 shutdown.

Persona 5 follows a protagonist known as Joker, who, after being wrongfully accused of assault, moves to Tokyo. He becomes embroiled in the world of "palaces," metaphysical realms born from human delusions. The Phantom Thieves and their "take your heart" calling cards are central to this narrative.

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