You do not have to play every Persona game from the beginning. For the original release sequence, play Revelations: Persona, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, then Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. For a modern introduction, a sensible route is Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal—but these newer numbered games do not have to be played in that order.
What order should you play the main Persona games?
There are two useful ways to think about the order: release chronology, which shows how the series developed, and a practical starting route, which lets you begin with a modern entry. SEGA’s official anniversary history places the early games in this release sequence:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Persona 4 Revival: Amazon Edition - Xbox Series X | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Persona 5 Royal: Standard Edition - Xbox Series X | $58.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Persona 3 Reload: Standard Edition - Xbox Series X | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Persona: The Official Cookbook | $16.49 | Buy on Amazon |
- Revelations: Persona (PlayStation release: 1996)
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
If you want to follow the early sequence, play those games in that order. The sources establishing the release timeline do not establish that every later numbered game depends on having played all the earlier ones.
A practical route through the modern numbered games
- Persona 3 Reload
- Persona 4 Golden
- Persona 5 Royal
This is a recommendation for touring the numbered series, not an official required order. The official pages reviewed do not prescribe a required sequence among these three, so you can start with whichever game best fits your platform and interests.
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- Discover the Thrilling Midnight Channel: Immerse yourself in a dual-layered narrative set in the peaceful yet unsettling town of Inaba. Investigate supernatural occurrences, solve murders, and unravel the secrets of the Midnight Channel alongside your teammates in a story-driven gameplay experience.
- Exhilarating Turn-Based Battles: Exploit enemy weaknesses, unleash powerful "All-Out Attacks," and master the strategic use of Personas to overcome formidable foes. Acquire or fuse new Personas and develop your unique battle style as you uncover the secrets behind the Midnight Channel.
- Shape Your Year and Your Destiny: Immerse yourself in the life of a teenager, where every day is filled with new choices. Balance sports, part-time jobs, school life, and friendships, all while preparing to confront the mysteries of the Midnight Channel. Every decision you make shapes your journey, leading to unique and unforgettable experiences and endings.
- Anime Cutscenes & Memorable Characters: Experience beautifully updated anime-style and 3D cutscenes and strengthen bonds with irreplaceable characters. Every heartfelt connection impacts your journey and shapes the story.
- A Beloved Remake for Fans and Newcomers: Rediscover the iconic Persona adventure with enhanced visuals, improved gameplay, modern aesthetics, and exciting new quality of life updates features that bring the classic to life like never before.
Do you need to play Persona 1 and 2 first?
No. The official history is helpful for understanding the series’ chronology, but it is not proof that you must play the early games before beginning a newer numbered entry. If you are curious about the older releases and want to experience that part of the series, follow Revelations: Persona with Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. If your priority is a modern entry, you can begin with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal.
Which edition should you play?
For each numbered game, choose one edition rather than treating the original and its enhanced version as consecutive installments.
Rank #2
- Prepare for the award-winning RPG experience in this definitive edition of Persona 5 Royal
- This title is packed with beloved characters, confidants, story depth, and plenty of locations to explore with many opportunities to strengthen your abilities in the metaverse and in your daily life
- Explore Tokyo, unlock Personas, customize your own personal Thieves Den, experience alternate endings, and more
- Become the ultimate Phantom Thief and defy conventions, discover the power within, and fight for justice in the definitive version of Personal 5 Royal
| Game | Suggested edition | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Persona 3 | Persona 3 Reload | PlayStation Japan describes Reload as a remake of Persona 3. |
| Persona 4 | Persona 4 Golden | Golden is an updated version of Persona 4. |
| Persona 5 | Persona 5 Royal | Royal adds story content beyond Persona 5, including a further school term. |
These editions give you a way to approach each entry without playing both its base release and enhanced version as if they were separate chapters in the series.
When should you play the Persona spin-offs?
Spin-offs can follow the mainline game or games whose characters and story they continue. Other crossover and genre spin-offs can generally wait until after the relevant mainline entries; a complete spoiler-safe order for every spin-off is not established here.
Rank #3
- Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI.
- Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes and character interactions, additional voiceover, and a reloaded soundtrack.
- Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters.
- Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
Play Persona 4 Arena Ultimax after Persona 4 Golden if you want its follow-up story. PlayStation Japan describes it as a follow-up to Persona 4 Golden and notes that characters from Persona 3 also appear.
Persona 5 Strikers
Persona 5 Strikers is set roughly six months after the ending of Persona 5, according to PlayStation Japan. It makes sense to play it after Persona 5, but the official description does not establish whether it depends on events exclusive to Persona 5 Royal.
Rank #4
How to choose your starting point
Choose based on the kind of experience you want rather than assuming the earliest release is the only valid start.
Quick Recap
- Want to see the series’ early release history? Begin with Revelations: Persona and continue through the two Persona 2 games.
- Prefer a modern remake? Start with Persona 3 Reload.
- Want to begin with Persona 4 or Persona 5? Choose Persona 4 Golden or Persona 5 Royal; the reviewed official pages do not require you to play the newer numbered entries in a particular order.
- Interested in a follow-up or a different genre? Play Persona 4 Arena Ultimax after Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Strikers after Persona 5. Save other crossovers until you have played the mainline games relevant to them.
- Need to choose by device? Availability varies by title and region. Check the current store listing for your platform before buying.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
