Although thePersonaseries itself started out as a spin-off of theShin Megami Tenseiseries, its rise to mainstream popularity has allowed it to spawn its own set of spin-off games as well. There are eight totalPersonaspin-off titles that have released outside of Japan across a number of different platforms. While each of these titles has its fans, there are those that hold up better than others and make for must-play experiences for anyPersonalover.
Of these spin-offs, a few are considered canon, as they are presented as direct sequels to their mainline counterparts.Persona 5 Strikers,Persona 4 Arena, andPersona 4 Arena Ultimaxare considered canon sequels, while the others exist outside the central storyline. There are also a handful of mobile titles that have yet to see a Western release, including therecently announcedPersona 5: The Phantom X, that are not usually included among the series' spin-off games due to their release being limited to select countries.
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S-Tier
Persona 5 Strikers– WhilePersona 5 Strikerstrades the turn-based JRPG gameplay of the main series forDynasty Warriors-style Musou gameplay, the game remains incredibly faithful to its predecessor. As a direct sequel toPersona 5, it picks up a few months after the previous game leaves off and follows the Phantom Thieves as they spend their summer vacation traveling around Japan changing the hearts of corrupted figures by clearing their Jails and defeating their Shadow selves. The game is a shining example of how to take the well-written characters and story ofPersona 5and translate them successfully into a new genre.
A-Tier
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax– As a follow-up toPersona 4 Arenaand a sequel to the mainlinePersona 4game,Persona 4 Arena Ultimaxtakes everything that was great about the previous spin-off and improves upon it. The story is told through visual novel segments that depict the Midnight Channel broadcasting calls for fighters in the P-1 Climax Tournament, beckoning the Investigation Team and the Shadow Operatives to once again join the fray. At it’s corePersona 4 Arena Ultimaxis a fighting gamethat features a roster ofPersona 3andPersona 4characters expanded upon from its predecessor, and its tight gameplay holds up as one of the best in the genre.
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth– A sequel to anotherPersonaspin-off,Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinthfollows the same classic dungeon-crawling gameplay of the first game but addsPersona 5’s Phantom Thievesto its roster. The story involves the group attempting to escape a mysterious theater by traversing dungeons found within different movies, where they encounter the members ofPersona 4’s Investigation Team andPersona 3’s SEES, as well as two new characters, Nagi and Hikari.Persona Q2stands out from its predecessor thanks to its improved gameplay mechanics making it far more accessible to genre newcomers.
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B-Tier
Persona 4 Arena–Persona 4 Arenais a solid game in its own right, but is somewhat eclipsed by all of the additional content available inPersona 4 Arena Ultimax. The game was the first true spin-off from the mainPersonaseries, providing a follow-up story toPersona 3andPersona 4in which the Investigation Team and the successor to SEES, the Shadow Operatives, investigate the mysterious character Labrys during a fighting tournament being held within the TV world. The choice of a fighting game for a sequel to a JRPG may seem odd, butPersona 4 Arena delivers a well-crafted fighting experience with a roster of fan favorite characters.
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth– Coming from the director ofEtrian Odyssey 4,Persona Q: Shadow of the LabyrinthtakesPersonaback to its roots with its traditional dungeon-crawling gameplay that takes clear inspiration from theEtrian Odysseyseries. The game features the option to play as either the Investigation Team or SEES initially, with the two groups eventually crossing over as they become trapped in an alternate version ofPersona 4’s Yasogami High School. Although the gameplay can be quite difficult and lacking in the quality of life features of its sequel, the originalPersona Qis still worth playing today.
C-Tier
Persona 4: Dancing All Night– Rhythm games are already a somewhat niche genre, and rhythm games based on JRPGs are even more so, butPersona 4: Dancing All Nightis a fun little title for the selection of players for which both of those genres appeal to. The gameplay involves facing off against Shadows in dance battles where players will have to match their button presses in time to a set list ofremixed music fromPersona 4. While the gameplay is nothing special, and lacks a significant amount of content, it does its job of supporting the fanservice of seeing theP4cast dance in unique costumes to some of the main game’s greatest hits.
Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight– Like itsPersona 4counterpart,Persona 5: Dancing in Starlightdoesn’t offer the most robust gameplay, but rather exists for fans ofPersona 5to get to experience more from its cast. Gameplay functions almost identically toPersona 4: Dancing All Nightonly this time with tracks fromPersona 5. The novelty of a game like this really depends on the player’s love ofPersona 5’s cast and music, as well as their affinity for rhythm games.
Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight– Rounding out thePersonadancing gamesisPersona 3: Dancing in Moonlight, which released simultaneously alongside itsPersona 5counterpart in 2018, three years afterPersona 4received its dancing spin-off. The game also plays much like the other two dancing entries with theP3cast taking center stage to dance along with tracks fromPersona 3. Hardcore fans of the series might find these games entertaining, but they’re the weakest of thePersonaspin-offs.
