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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →You do not have to play every Persona game in release order. For the original run, follow Revelations: Persona → Persona 2: Innocent Sin → Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. If you want to start with the modern numbered games, a practical route is Persona 3 Reload → Persona 4 Golden → Persona 5 Royal—a gradual tour, not a required sequence. Choose one edition of each game rather than playing a base release and its enhanced version as separate installments.
What order should you play the main Persona games?
There are two useful ways to order the series: release chronology for the earliest games, or a modern-entry route if you are deciding where to begin today. SEGA’s official anniversary history starts the series with the original PlayStation release of Revelations: Persona in 1996, followed by the two Persona 2 games.
| # | 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 |
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- Revelations: Persona
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
For a modern numbered-series tour, play Persona 3 Reload, then Persona 4 Golden, then Persona 5 Royal. This order moves through later mainline entries, but the official pages reviewed do not prescribe it as mandatory. Release history is a useful guide to the series’ beginnings, not proof that every numbered game requires the preceding one.
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Can you start with Persona 3, 4, or 5?
Yes. A newcomer can begin with a modern numbered entry rather than first completing Persona and both Persona 2 games. Pick based on the experience you want and what is available for your device; the official pages reviewed do not establish one of these games as objectively the best starting point.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
- Choose Persona 3 Reload if you want to approach the third numbered entry through its remake. PlayStation Japan describes Reload as a remake of Persona 3.
- Choose Persona 4 Golden if you want the updated version of Persona 4. It is not a separate numbered installment to play after the original.
- Choose Persona 5 Royal if you want the expanded version of Persona 5. Royal adds a further school term and story content, so you do not need to play the base game first.
Before buying, check the current store listing for your platform and region: availability varies by title and device.
Where do the spin-offs fit?
Spin-offs often continue or draw on a particular mainline game, but they may use different genres. Start with the related mainline entry when you want to avoid encountering a follow-up before its setup.
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
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
Play Persona 4 Arena Ultimax after Persona 4 Golden if you want the follow-up story. PlayStation Japan describes it as a follow-up to P4G and notes that characters from Persona 3 also appear.
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Persona 5 Strikers
Persona 5 Strikers is set about six months after the ending of Persona 5, according to PlayStation Japan. The official page does not say whether its story depends on events exclusive to Royal; avoid treating it as a confirmed continuation of Royal-only events.
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.
Other crossovers and genre spin-offs
Leave other crossover or genre spin-offs until after the mainline games whose characters or stories they use. A complete spoiler-safe order for every spin-off is not established here, so there is no reliable universal sequence to give for them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which edition should you play?
For each numbered game, select the edition that fits what you want to play rather than treating original and enhanced releases as consecutive entries.
Rank #4
| Entry | Practical choice | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Persona 3 | Persona 3 Reload | PlayStation Japan describes it as a remake of Persona 3. |
| Persona 4 | Persona 4 Golden | Golden is the updated version of Persona 4. |
| Persona 5 | Persona 5 Royal | Royal adds a further school term and story content beyond Persona 5. |
These choices make the modern route straightforward: one game for each numbered entry, without doubling back to play a base version and then its enhanced edition.
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How to choose your starting point
- Want the historical beginning? Start with Revelations: Persona and continue through the two Persona 2 games in order.
- Prefer a modern presentation? Begin with whichever of Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal best matches your interest; the suggested gradual route is 3, then 4, then 5.
- Have a particular device in mind? Check the current listing for that platform and region before settling on an entry.
- Interested in a spin-off? Play its related mainline game first where the follow-up relationship is established, especially for Arena Ultimax and Strikers.
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.
