Game · in order
Persona Games in Order
The six mainline Persona games in release order, from the 1996 original to Persona 5. Each tells a standalone story, so you can start anywhere, but Persona 5 or Persona 4 are the best entry points.
Persona Games in Order — complete list
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Why this order?
Persona is a mainline branch of Atlus's larger Shin Megami Tensei universe, and the single most important thing to know is that the numbered games are standalone. Each entry has its own cast, setting, and self-contained story, so there is no required order and no cliffhanger you need to chase. That freedom is exactly why a "what order" question has an unusually relaxed answer here: you genuinely cannot ruin anything by jumping in at the wrong number.
We default to release order because it shows how the series evolved from a darker, dungeon-heavy 1990s JRPG into the stylish, calendar-driven social sim that made Persona 5 a phenomenon. Going Persona, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, Persona 3, Persona 4, and finally Persona 5 lets you watch the social-link system, the slick UI, and the time-management loop take shape generation by generation. The one wrinkle is the two-part Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment form a direct two-game duology and are best played in that order.
If you only want one game, ignore release order entirely and start with the modern peak. Persona 5 (and its expanded version, Persona 5 Royal) is the most polished and the friendliest on-ramp; Persona 4 Golden is the beloved alternative and runs on almost everything. From there you can fan out to older entries or the modern remake.
Note that Persona 3 Reload (2024) rebuilds the 2006 Persona 3 with current-gen visuals and quality-of-life upgrades, making it the easiest way to experience that story. Spin-offs like Persona 5 Strikers, the Dancing rhythm games, and Persona Q are extras, not mainline chapters, so skip them until you have finished a numbered game you love.
Timeline 1996–2016
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
How many Persona games are there?
There are six mainline Persona games: Persona, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5. Many spin-offs and remakes (like Persona 3 Reload, Strikers, and the Dancing games) exist on top of those.
What order should I watch Persona in?
There's no required order because each numbered game tells a standalone story. Release order (Persona through Persona 5) shows the series evolve, but if you just want one, start with Persona 5 Royal or Persona 4 Golden.
Which Persona game should I start with?
Persona 5 (Royal) is the most polished and the friendliest entry point. Persona 4 Golden is the popular alternative and runs on nearly every platform, including Switch and PC.
Do I need to play the Persona games in order?
No. Each mainline entry has its own cast and self-contained story, so you can start anywhere. The only pairing is Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment, a two-part duology best played in that order.
Is Persona part of Shin Megami Tensei?
Yes. Persona began as a spin-off of Atlus's Shin Megami Tensei series and has since grown into its own hugely popular franchise, while still sharing demon designs and lore roots.
What is Persona 3 Reload?
Persona 3 Reload (2024) is a full remake of the 2006 Persona 3, with modern visuals, a new battle interface, and quality-of-life improvements. It's the easiest way to play that story today.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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