Xbox Game Pass subscribers will finally be able to play Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden when the two launch on the service later this month. Xbox has been steadily building its library of JRPGs available on Game Pass over the past few years, but these additions from the Persona series show that Microsoft is still committed to expanding its audience to include fans of genres historically associated with the PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. Players interested in checking out Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden for the first time might be wondering what, if any, games are necessary to play before jumping into these titles.

The Persona series has historically included a variety of enhanced editions, spin-offs, and sequels that can be difficult to navigate for newcomers to the franchise. Originally itself a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, Persona has developed its own identity in recent years. It's important to note that Persona 3 Portable is the third edition of the original, after Persona 3 and Persona 3 FES. This version initially launched on the PlayStation Portable and featured the option of a female player character and the ability to directly control party members. Persona 4 Golden, on the other hand, is the only enhanced edition of Persona 4, launching originally on the PlayStation Vita.

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Previous Persona Games are Not a Requirement

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Each entry in the Persona series stands on its own for the most part, meaning players can start with any title they choose. The first game the series, Revelations: Persona, originally launched on the PlayStation with later ports to PC and Playstation Portable, as well as a release included with the PlayStation Classic. Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment both originally released on the PlayStation with remakes releasing on the PlayStation Portable. These early entries in the series are not necessary to play in order to enjoy Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden, as they lack many of the features introduced the latter titles and aren't directly related narratively.

As Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden are updated versions of the original releases, many might wonder if it is necessary to play those entries before experiencing the enhanced versions. For the most part, there is no need to play the original Persona 3 and Persona 4 as the enhanced versions improve on almost every aspect of the originals. The only exception is the additional post-game content included in Persona 3 FES that is not present in Persona 3 Portable, but this addition is not required to start Portable and can be sought out later should the player decide they want more Persona 3 content.

Game Pass Titles Subscribers Might Play to Prepare for the Upcoming Persona Releases

Persona 5 Royal

While Game Pass subscribers wait for these Persona titles to launch, there are a handful of games already available on the service that make great companion titles, with the most obvious being Persona 5 Royal. Despite the ability to enjoy Persona games in any order, Persona 5 Royal is a great starting point because it features the most robust gameplay in the series and can be a great way for newcomers to familiarize themselves with the series' staple mechanics. However, due to its very long completion time, players may not be able to finish Persona 5 Royal before the other Persona games launch.

Aside from the Persona series, players looking to prep with another anime-style game might want to check out the Danganronpa series on Game Pass. While these games lack the JRPG elements of Persona, the story and life-sim aspects of the series will feel familiar to players jumping into Persona. For a more traditional JRPG experience, players might want to check out Yakuza: Like a Dragon or even an indie title like Chained Echoes, which are both available on the service.

Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden are launching on January 19 for PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, as well as on Xbox Game Pass.

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