Following the launch of Persona 5 Royal, Atlus' Persona series cemented its status among gaming's most influential JRPG franchises. The cultural impact of Persona 5 became so profound that visitors now pilgrimage to Shibuya Station, hoping to recreate the famous Phantom Thieves pose overlooking the Scramble Crossing (though recent renovations altered the exact spot).

This success didn't happen overnight. Originally spawning from Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei series nearly thirty years ago, the Persona franchise has grown beyond expectations. Contrary to numbering, six mainline titles exist alongside numerous spin-offs and remakes. (Metaphor: ReFantazio, despite similarities, remains distinctly separate.)

Exploring this three-decade RPG legacy proves rewarding, though accessibility varies across titles. Below you'll find every mainline Persona game and where to play them – legally. Fair warning: dusting off older consoles might be necessary.

Revelations: Persona

Debuting in 1996 for PlayStation, Revelations: Persona later appeared on Windows and PSP. The story begins with protagonists awakening their Personas through supernatural divination. Currently, PlayStation Classic (2018's mini PS1 replica) remains its most modern supported platform.

No official modern ports exist yet. Finding physical copies or owning legacy hardware (PS1/PSP) becomes necessary. Given Atlus' recent remake trends, fans remain hopeful for updated versions.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2—Innocent Sin

Initially Japan-exclusive upon its 1999 PlayStation release, Persona 2: Innocent Sin reached Western audiences via PSP localization in 2011. Vita compatibility exists but offers no graphical upgrades.

Like its predecessor, Innocent Sin lacks modern console support.

The narrative follows Sumaru City students confronting the rumor-manipulating villain Joker, whose gossip literally reshapes reality.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

This direct 2000 sequel continues the Joker Curse saga months later through journalist Maya Amano's perspective.

Unlike Innocent Sin, Western audiences received simultaneous PS1 access. Its 2011 PSP remake expanded to PS3 via PSN in 2013.

While unavailable on current-gen systems, potential dual remakes with Innocent Sin seem plausible given Atlus' patterns.

Persona 3

Breaking from its Shin Megami Tensei roots, 2006's Persona 3 introduced teenagers confronting mortality during supernatural Dark Hour incidents. The enhanced FES version (2007) remains PS3-compatible.

Persona 3 Portable (2023's multi-platform release) streamlined gameplay while preserving its emotional core, earning praise as the definitive version.

2024's Persona 3 Reload modernizes the experience across all current platforms, incorporating quality-of-life improvements from Persona 5 Royal.

Persona 4

2008's PS2 masterpiece Persona 4 blended RPG mechanics with murder mystery tropes, establishing unprecedented fan devotion.

Persona 4 Golden (2012) expanded content and accessibility, now playable across every modern system except mobile.

Persona 5

The franchise-defining Persona 5 (2016) exploded globally through its stylish rebellion themes. Royal's 2020 expansion coincidentally mirrored pandemic-era escapism desires.

Following wrongfully accused protagonist Joker, players explore cognitive palaces representing corrupted desires – birthing the iconic Phantom Thieves identity.

After gradual rollouts, Royal now dominates current-gen platforms digitally and physically, completing this legendary JRPG saga's modern availability.