"Legal Ways to Play Persona Games in 2025"

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 so iconic that fans travel to Shibuya station to capture the famous scene of the Phantom Thieves overlooking the Shibuya Scramble. Although the station has been remodeled, the iconic angle remains a must-see for enthusiasts.

Despite its current fame, the *Persona* series had a humble beginning as a spin-off of Atlus' *Shin Megami Tensei* franchise, 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 various spin-offs, remakes, and enhanced editions. It's 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 titles are harder to find than others. Here's a guide on where you can legally play all the mainline *Persona* games. Be prepared, you might need to dust off your PSP.

Revelations: Persona

*Revelations: Persona*, released in 1996 for the original PlayStation, also saw releases on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Portable. The game follows heroes who gain their personas through fortune-telling. Unfortunately, the most recent re-release was on the PlayStation Classic in 2018, meaning there's no version available on modern hardware. You'll need a physical copy for the PS1, PlayStation Classic, or PSP. However, given Atlus' commitment to remaking older *Persona* titles, a modern remastered version might be on the horizon.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Also known as *Persona 2: Innocent Sin*, this game was initially released in Japan for the PlayStation in 1999, with a localized version for the PSP in 2011 and availability on the PlayStation Vita. The story revolves around high schoolers in Sumaru City battling a mysterious villain named Joker, whose rumors alter reality. Unfortunately, there's no modern console version available yet.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

*Eternal Punishment* is a direct sequel to *Innocent Sin*, released in 2000. It follows a different protagonist, a teenage reporter, dealing with the "Joker Curse." It saw a simultaneous North American release on the PlayStation and later a PSP remake in 2011, which was also available on the PlayStation Network for PS3 in 2013. While not available on modern hardware, there's hope for a future remake combining both *Innocent Sin* and *Eternal Punishment*.

Persona 3

*Persona 3* marked the series' emergence from the *Shin Megami Tensei* shadow, released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006 in Japan and 2007 in North America. The game explores themes of death and time anomalies known as the "Dark Hour." *Persona 3 FES*, with an additional epilogue, was released for the PS3. *Persona 3 Portable*, an abridged version, was initially for the PSP but later made available on PS4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with physical releases in 2023. The latest iteration, *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, is a beloved murder mystery where teens use their personas to solve a series of murders. The enhanced version, *Persona 4 Golden*, released for the PlayStation Vita in 2012, is now available on nearly every platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with physical versions for all except PC.

Persona 5

*Persona 5* catapulted the series into mainstream gaming culture, released for PS3 and PS4 in 2016 in Japan and 2017 worldwide. The definitive version, *Persona 5 Royal*, released in North America in March 2020, features the protagonist, codenamed Joker, navigating Tokyo's "palaces" and the world of the Phantom Thieves. *Persona 5 Royal* is now available on nearly all modern platforms: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with both physical and digital versions available.