Where to Get Each Persona Game

If you didn't already know, the Persona series is primarily a series of video games, each of which has multiple versions on multiple platforms. If you want to play them, these are the versions we recommend and where to find them.

Persona 1

Velvet Room MUSH uses the PSP version of Persona 1, called Shin Megami Tensei: Persona, with its updated translation and use of the cast's original Japanese names, rather than the Americanized, PSX version known as Revelations: Persona. The PSP version of Persona 1 doesn't appear to be in print anymore, and the PlayStation store for PSP has shut down, but if you have a PS3 or Vita, you can apparently buy PSP content through them. Alternatively, you can purchase secondhand copies on places like eBay or Amazon.

If you'd rather watch a video playthrough, you can find a full game, no commentary walkthrough playlist here courtesy of BlueFlareLegend. It includes both the SEBEC route and the Snow Queen route, both bad and good endings for each; Reiji Kido is recruited in the SEBEC route, while Elly and Brown are recruited in the Snow Queen route, providing a spread of each cast member across both.

The manga version of Persona 1, called Megami Ibunroku: Persona, by manga author Shinshuu Ueda, is an excellent adaptation of the game. While it lacks an official English release, we strongly recommend it in addition to or even in place of the game version if you can find it. Various fan translations exist online by groups Kindan no Aku & Behind the Mask, Megaten Translations, and At-Translations; there is also an edited version by FalseKaiba that focuses on enhanced readability and merges all three group's translations.

There's also a fan translation by Gabriulio available online for Megami Ibunroku: Persona ~Shadow Maze~, a novelization of Persona 1 by Naoko Korekata written from Maki Sonomura's perspective. In this novel, the Boy with Earring is named Jihei "Jay" Suzakuin rather than Naoya Toudou, as he's called in the manga and on Velvet Room MUSH.

Persona 2: Innocent Sin

The original PSX version of Innocent Sin was never released in the USA; however, the later PSP port was released in the States, and its translation is mostly the version of Persona 2 used on Velvet Room MUSH. P2IS PSP also appears to no longer be in print, so the suggestions for purchase for P1 apply here as well.

If you'd rather watch a video playthrough, you can find a full game, no commentary walkthrough playlist here courtesy of Noire Blue. The player opts to have Tatsuya romance Lisa, but there's very little in the way of any romantic content for any of Tatsuya's romantic options (Lisa, Maya, Jun) so don't let that deter you if you would've preferred one of the other options.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

While Persona 2: Eternal Punishment also got a PSP port along with Innocent Sin, the only version of this game that was officially released in the States was the original PSX version. It's also out of print, and so the above suggestions apply.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment contains new content known as the Additional Scenario, which stars Tatsuya Suou and goes into what he was doing during Eternal Punishment behind the scenes.

Because of this expanded content, we recommend the PSP release of Eternal Punishment, even with all the difficulties involved with acquiring it. A modified fan translation of the PSP port exists, spearheaded by Sayucchin; for liability reasons, we are not linking it here.

If you have or acquire a Japanese copy of Eternal Punishment PSP, please be aware that to access the entirety of the Additional Scenario, you need to play Kei's route; Elly's route only has the first part available. If you're okay with a text-only version, the Additional Scenario was translated independently by fans Strange Shrimp and Ayu Oakhay (formerly Ohseki Ayu).

If you'd like to watch a no-commentary walkthrough of the PSP English fan-port, one is available here courtesy of JRPG Anime Gaming. It features Kei's route and the Additional Scenario. A different no-commentary walkthrough is available here courtesy of MEGABLADEJ. It features Elly's route, which starts at video #10 in the playlist.

If you would prefer a screenshot-based Let's Play, one of Eternal Punishment is available here courtesy of Schildkrote.

Persona 3

Persona 3 originally released for the PS2. An expanded version called Persona 3 FES (short for "Festival") was also released on the PS2, and included a bonus post-game story called The Answer, which stars Aigis. A PSP port was later released, most famous for its alternate female protagonist with her own design and personality; it does not include The Answer. Recently, a remake called Persona 3 Reload was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Xbox One. It includes The Answer as DLC, renamed Episode Aigis, though you need to pay extra to get it. It does not allow you to play as the female protagonist, though there is a fan patch in the works to remedy this.

Our personal recommendation is Persona 3 Reload, as it has an updated translation, graphics, voice actors, and Episode Aigis, even if we agree that it's nonsense that you have to pay extra to get that when it was just naturally a part of Persona 3 FES as The Answer. If you'd prefer a different version, we recommend Persona 3 Portable as it's available for e-purchase for the Switch via the Nintendo eShop. You can buy Persona 3 Reload physically/online at game stores like GameStop or digitally through Steam.

There's also a rhythm game sequel to Persona 3 called Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight. There isn't a plot to this game, but there are a variety of character interaction scenes, so it's a good purchase if you like rhythm games and cute conversations. It's available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.

Persona 4

While Persona 4 won't be available for application on Velvet Room MUSH right away, it will open up in due time and so it's still worth it to play! The original Persona 4 released on the PS2, while an updated version called Persona 4 Golden later released on the PlayStation Vita. We recommend you buy and play Persona 4 Golden for its expanded content. Persona 4 Golden is currently available for e-purchase on the Switch via the Nintendo eShop and on Steam.

Persona 4 also has several sequels, which include rhythm game Persona 4: Dancing All Night (which does have a plot on top of dancing) and fighting games Persona 4: Arena and its own direct sequel, Persona 4: Arena Ultimax. Dancing All Night is available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. Arena is available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and is still available for purchase at stores like GameStop but not on the PlayStation Network. Arena Ultimax is available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Steam.

Persona 4: Arena and Persona 4: Arena Ultimax can also be considered stealth sequels to Persona 3, since while they bill under Persona 4, they include much of the Persona 3 cast in their roster. Be aware that Arena and Arena Ultimax are a duology, not an original and a remake! Fortunately, the most recent version of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax on the PSN includes the story of Persona 4 Arena, after an additional download. This download occurs after starting the game, in the background. Presumably the Steam version would do the same, but the staff on the Velvet Room MUSH have not tested this themselves.

Persona 5

Persona 5 originally released for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Like 3 and 4, an enhanced remake called Persona 5 Royal, which includes new characters and an entire semester's worth of a new plot, was later released and is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. We recommend you buy and play Persona 5 Royal for its heavily expanded content.

Persona 5 also has several sequels and spin-offs, including rhythm game Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, musou-like Persona 5: Strikers, tactical game Persona 5: Tactica, and gacha game Persona 5: the Phantom X. Like P3's version, Dancing in Starlight has no plot but several character interaction scenes; it's available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.

Persona 5: Strikers is known in Japan as Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers; this is the same game, so if you see a reference to Persona 5 Scramble, know it's the same as Persona 5 Strikers. It spins off specifically from the original version of Persona 5 and does not make any reference to the extra characters or events of Persona 5 Royal. P5 Strikers is available on PlayStation 4, Steam, and Nintendo Switch.

Persona 5 Tactica does spin off from Royal, which is shown more clearly in its DLC prequel, Persona 5 Tactica: Repaint Your Heart, which heavily features one of Royal's new characters. They can be bought together on Steam in Persona 5 Tactica - Digital Deluxe Edition or separately in Persona 5 Tactica and Persona 5 Tactica: Repaint Your Heart Challenge Pack, but the DLC requires the base game to play. Persona 5 Tactica is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Since The Phantom X is a) a gacha game and everything that implies b) not available in English c) not getting integrated on Velvet Room MUSH for A and B reasons, we do NOT recommend playing it. You can look it up independently if you really want to, though.

Persona 6

Persona 6... doesn't exist yet! There's talk that it's in the works, though. When it does release, it will NOT be integrated immediately--for one, staff would have to play it and figure out how to integrate it. There will be a strict no-spoilers policy for at least six months after its release. Only after staff has played it will we start to figure out how to integrate it and when it might come into play at Velvet Room MUSH.

Once it does come out, though, we'll at least share details on what platforms it gets released on so you can buy it for yourself.