"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 become so iconic that fans, often referred to as gamer-tourists, flock to Shibuya station to capture the famous shot of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. While the station has been remodeled since the game's depiction, enthusiasts can still find the perfect angle to recreate the scene.

The journey to this success was surprisingly gradual. *Persona* is a spin-off of Atlus' other RPG franchise, *Shin Megami Tensei*, with the first game released 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 editions. For clarity, *Metaphor: ReFantazio* does not fall under the *Persona* umbrella.

Exploring the rich, 30-year history of this JRPG 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.

Revelations: Persona

*Revelations: Persona*, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, also saw subsequent releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The story revolves around heroes who gain their personas through an epic fortune-telling session. The most recent hardware this game has been re-released on is the PlayStation Classic, a 2018 homage to the original PlayStation. Unfortunately, there's no version available on modern consoles, so you'll need a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, given Atlus' commitment to remaking older *Persona* titles, fans can 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 initially launched on the PlayStation in 1999 but was exclusive to Japan. A localized version wasn't available in North America and Europe until 2011, when it was ported to the PSP. It's also playable on the PlayStation Vita. Unfortunately, there's no modern console version of *Innocent Sin*. The storyline follows a group of high school students in the fictional town of Sumaru, battling a mysterious villain named Joker whose rumors can alter reality.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

*Eternal Punishment* is a direct sequel to *Innocent Sin* and was released the following year in 2000. The narrative continues the "Joker Curse" saga but through the perspective of a new protagonist, a teenage reporter. Unlike its predecessor, *Eternal Punishment* saw a simultaneous North American release on the PlayStation in 2000. It was later remade for the PSP in 2011 and became available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 owners in 2013. Regrettably, there's no modern hardware version, though rumors suggest Atlus might be considering a remastered bundle of *Innocent Sin* and *Eternal Punishment*.

Persona 3

*Persona 3* marked a significant step forward for the series, distancing itself from the *Shin Megami Tensei* franchise. Initially released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America, the game follows a group of teens exploring the mysterious "Dark Hour." An enhanced version, *Persona 3 FES*, with an additional epilogue, was released the following year for the PS3. *Persona 3* has seen multiple remakes, including *Persona 3 Portable*, an abridged version that was initially for the PSP but later expanded to PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical copies released in 2023. Many consider *Portable* the best iteration of the game. The most recent remake, *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, with physical versions for PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

Persona 4

*Persona 4*, released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2, presents a gripping murder mystery where a group of teens uses their personas to solve a series of murders. The game has garnered immense love from fans. An enhanced version, *Persona 4 Golden*, was released for the PlayStation Vita in 2012 and has since become widely available on nearly every modern platform, including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Physical copies are available for all platforms except PC.

Persona 5

While *Persona 4* caught attention, it was *Persona 5* that propelled the franchise into mainstream gaming culture. Originally released for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017, the game introduced the world to the Phantom Thieves and their "take your heart" calling cards. The protagonist, codenamed Joker, is wrongfully accused and relocates to Tokyo, where he becomes embroiled in the world of "palaces," metaphysical realms born from delusions. The definitive version, *Persona 5 Royal*, released in North America in March 2020, is now available on nearly all modern platforms, including PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital copies available.