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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. If you want to explore the modern numbered games, a practical route is Persona 3 Reload → Persona 4 Golden → Persona 5 Royal. That is a suggested tour, not a required story order.
What order should you play the Persona games in?
There are two useful answers: release chronology for the early games, and a flexible starting order for the newer numbered entries. SEGA’s official anniversary history starts the series with the 1996 PlayStation release of Revelations: Persona, 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 |
Early release sequence
- Revelations: Persona
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
This is the release-history order, not proof that every later numbered entry requires all earlier games. The official pages cited here do not prescribe a mandatory order for the modern mainline games.
Practical route through the modern numbered games
- Persona 3 Reload
- Persona 4 Golden
- Persona 5 Royal
This route offers a gradual tour of the numbered series. You can also begin with any of these three if its setting, edition, or platform suits you better; release chronology alone does not make the earlier entries prerequisites.
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#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.
Do you need to play Persona 1 and 2 first?
No. The early games are the right choice if you want to follow the franchise’s release history, but they are not established as required preparation for starting Persona 3, Persona 4, or Persona 5. The official release timeline provides chronology, not a rule that newcomers must play every preceding title.
The evidence cited here does not establish all continuity details between Persona 1 and the two Persona 2 games, or a complete spoiler-safe order for every later crossover. If you want the original sequence, follow the list above; if you mainly want a modern entry, start with the numbered game that interests you.
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
Which edition should you choose?
For each numbered game, choose one edition rather than treating the original and an updated edition as separate installments in a play-through. The edition descriptions below come from PlayStation Japan’s official game pages: Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal.
| Game | How the edition fits | What to play |
|---|---|---|
| Persona 3 | Persona 3 Reload is described as a remake. | Play Reload as your modern way into Persona 3; you do not need to play a base release first. |
| Persona 4 | Persona 4 Golden is the updated version of Persona 4. | Choose Golden rather than playing both versions as successive installments. |
| Persona 5 | Persona 5 Royal adds story content beyond Persona 5, including a further school term. | Choose Royal if you want the expanded edition; the base game is not a required step beforehand. |
When should you play the spin-offs?
Spin-offs can wait until after the mainline entry they follow. Their genres and story connections vary, so there is no single established, complete spoiler-safe sequence for every crossover.
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 P4G and notes that characters from Persona 3 also appear.
Persona 5 Strikers
Persona 5 Strikers is set about six months after the ending of Persona 5, according to its PlayStation Japan page. Play it after Persona 5 for that follow-up. The official page does not establish whether its story assumes events exclusive to Royal, so do not treat it as a confirmed continuation of Royal-only events.
Rank #4
Other crossovers
For other crossover or genre spin-offs, finish the corresponding mainline game first if you want to reduce the chance of encountering story references. A precise spoiler-safe order for every spin-off is not established by the official pages cited here.
Quick Recap
How to choose your starting Persona game
- Want the franchise’s original release history? Start with Revelations: Persona, then play the two Persona 2 titles in order.
- Prefer a modern remake of an earlier numbered entry? Try Persona 3 Reload.
- Interested in the updated version of Persona 4? Choose Persona 4 Golden.
- Want Persona 5 with its additional story content? Choose Persona 5 Royal.
- Choosing between devices? Availability differs by title and region. Check the current store listing for your device and region 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.
