Although the Persona series itself started out as a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, its rise to mainstream popularity has allowed it to spawn its own set of spin-off games as well. There are eight total Persona spin-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 any Persona lover.

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, and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax are 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 the recently announced Persona 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

Persona 5 Strikers – While Persona 5 Strikers trades the turn-based JRPG gameplay of the main series for Dynasty Warriors-style Musou gameplay, the game remains incredibly faithful to its predecessor. As a direct sequel to Persona 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 of Persona 5 and translate them successfully into a new genre.

A-Tier

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax – As a follow-up to Persona 4 Arena and a sequel to the mainline Persona 4 game, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax takes 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 core Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a fighting game that features a roster of Persona 3 and Persona 4 characters 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 another Persona spin-off, Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth follows the same classic dungeon-crawling gameplay of the first game but adds Persona 5's Phantom Thieves to 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 of Persona 4's Investigation Team and Persona 3's SEES, as well as two new characters, Nagi and Hikari. Persona Q2 stands 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 Q features characters from both Persona 3 and 4

Persona 4 ArenaPersona 4 Arena is a solid game in its own right, but is somewhat eclipsed by all of the additional content available in Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. The game was the first true spin-off from the main Persona series, providing a follow-up story to Persona 3 and Persona 4 in 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, but Persona 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 of Etrian Odyssey 4, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth takes Persona back to its roots with its traditional dungeon-crawling gameplay that takes clear inspiration from the Etrian Odyssey series. 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 of Persona 4's Yasogami High School. Although the gameplay can be quite difficult and lacking in the quality of life features of its sequel, the original Persona Q is still worth playing today.

C-Tier

persona dancing key visual art joker makoto yuki

Persona 4: Dancing All Night – Rhythm games are already a somewhat niche genre, and rhythm games based on JRPGs are even more so, but Persona 4: Dancing All Night is 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 of remixed music from Persona 4. While the gameplay is nothing special, and lacks a significant amount of content, it does its job of supporting the fanservice of seeing the P4 cast dance in unique costumes to some of the main game's greatest hits.

Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight – Like its Persona 4 counterpart, Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight doesn't offer the most robust gameplay, but rather exists for fans of Persona 5 to get to experience more from its cast. Gameplay functions almost identically to Persona 4: Dancing All Night only this time with tracks from Persona 5. The novelty of a game like this really depends on the player's love of Persona 5's cast and music, as well as their affinity for rhythm games.

Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight – Rounding out the Persona dancing games is Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight, which released simultaneously alongside its Persona 5 counterpart in 2018, three years after Persona 4 received its dancing spin-off. The game also plays much like the other two dancing entries with the P3 cast taking center stage to dance along with tracks from Persona 3. Hardcore fans of the series might find these games entertaining, but they're the weakest of the Persona spin-offs.

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