All Persona games in order of Release 🎮 Persona series list on GG.deals

Persona Series

Number of games: 16

Looking to jump into all Persona games in order of release. Learn about the game timeline, how the entries connect, and the ideal way to experience this IP. If you’re into stylish JRPG combat, deep social mechanics, and supernatural mysteries, the Persona franchise is one of the most beloved in modern gaming. GG.deals also shows you the best deals for all titles and DLCs. We gather offers from various stores and keyshops for the lowest prices.

What is Persona about?

The Persona series is a spin-off of Atlus’s Shin Megami Tensei franchise that has evolved into its own wildly popular game franchise. Blending high school life simulation with turn-based dungeon crawling, each Persona game revolves around a group of young characters who awaken supernatural powers known as "Personas" to fight against dark forces, usually connected to inner trauma, hidden truths, or world-ending threats.

What sets Persona apart is its blend of character-driven narrative, stylish visuals, social bonding systems, and dual-life gameplay, where you balance saving the world with taking exams, forming friendships, and going on dates.

When did the Persona games start?

The series began in 1996 with Revelations: Persona for the PlayStation. Originally a darker, more experimental spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei, the Persona game series gradually carved its own identity, particularly with the release of Persona 3, which introduced the now-iconic school-life structure and social sim elements.

How many Persona games are there?

The Persona game franchise has five numbered mainline entries (with several enhanced re-releases and spin-offs). Here’s the game series in order by release date:

Revelations: Persona (1996 – PS1)
Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999 – Japan only at first)
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000 – direct sequel)
Persona 3 (2006 – PS2)
Persona 3 (2007 – enhanced version)
Persona 4 (2008 – PS2)
Persona 4 Arena (2012 – PS3/360)
Persona 4 Golden (2012 – enhanced version)
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014 – 3DS)
Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015 – PS Vita)
Persona 5 (2016 – PS3/PS4)
Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018 – PS4/Vita)
Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018 – PS4/Vita)
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018 – 3DS)
Persona 5 Royal (2019 – enhanced version)
Persona 5 Strikers (2020 – PS4/Switch)
Persona 5 Tactica (2023 – Xbox/PS/Switch)
Persona 3 Reload (2024 – full remake of P3)
Persona5: The Phantom X (2025)

Each entry typically features a new cast and setting, though there are subtle connections across the game timeline and shared thematic elements.

Persona games in order of the timeline

While each Persona title is mostly self-contained, playing them in release order is the best way to appreciate the evolution of gameplay, themes, and visuals. However, you can also approach the game series in order based on narrative continuity and gameplay accessibility.

Chronological Persona timeline (main entries):

Revelations: Persona
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Persona 3 / Persona 3 Reload
Persona 4 / Persona 4 Golden
Persona 5 / Persona 5 Royal

Persona Q, Dancing All Night, and Persona 5 Tactica are considered non-canon or side stories, though they add fun character interactions and fan service. If you’re new to the series, Persona 5 Royal or Persona 3 Reload is a great entry point.

The best Persona games

Many fans consider 5 Royal the most refined and best Persona game in the series, thanks to its slick presentation, extended story, and improved mechanics. Persona 4 Golden is beloved for its heartfelt characters and murder mystery plot. Persona 3 is often praised for its emotional storytelling and darker themes, especially in its newer remake, Persona 3 Reload.

Each entry has its charm and setting, from the urban mystery of Persona 5’s Tokyo to the sleepy rural vibes of Persona 4’s Inaba.

Who are the most iconic Persona characters in the series?

While each mainline game introduces a new cast, several protagonists and side characters have become iconic:

Joker (Persona 5) – The Phantom Thieves’ leader, known for his calm resolve and mask
Yu Narukami (Persona 4) – The quiet leader of the Investigation Team
Makoto Yuki / S.E.E.S. Team (Persona 3) – A group fighting mysterious shadows and facing mortality
Tatsuya and Maya (Persona 2) – Deeply connected to cosmic events and fate
Philemon and Igor – Mysterious recurring figures who guide protagonists through the Velvet Room

Recurring themes include the power of bonds, confronting one’s “true self,” and the impact of inner darkness.

What’s the next Persona game?

With the release of Persona 3 Reload in early 2024 and Persona 5 Tactica continuing to expand the P5 universe, fans are now eagerly awaiting Persona 6, which is currently in development, according to Atlus as of March 2025. While few details have been revealed, it’s expected to be a new Persona game entry with a different protagonist, setting, and themes.