JP FC | Digital Devil Monogatari: Megami Tensei II | 1990 | Dungeon Crawler | Considered to be the origin of the series' heavy-handed order vs chaos theme, good old-fashioned demon negotiation and recruitment |
JP FC | Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei | 1987 | Dungeon Crawler | The series had to start somewhere… |
TurboGrafx-16 | Dungeon Explorer | 1989 | Dungeon Crawler | Co-op top-down dungeon crawl, think Gauntlet |
Vita | Dungeon Explorer (DL only) | 2012 | Dungeon Crawler | See TG16 |
PSP | Dungeon Explorer (DL only) | 2007 | Dungeon Crawler | See TG16 |
PS3 | Dungeon Explorer (DL only) | 2011 | Dungeon Crawler | See TG16 |
Wii U | Dungeon Explorer (VC) | 2017 | Dungeon Crawler | See TG16 |
DS | Etrian Odyssey | 2007 | Turn-Based | Classic-styled first-person dungeon crawler with punishing difficulty, requires dungeon mapping via the stylus |
3DS | Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight | 2015 | Dungeon Crawler | A reimagining of the second game, adds more classes and a story mode along with balance and QoL changes |
Switch | Etrian Odyssey HD | 2023 | Dungeon Crawler | Based on the original (non-Untold) version of the game, adds QoL like difficulty selection and remasters the soundtrack, along with changing the mapping system |
DS | Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard | 2008 | Turn-Based | Very similar to the first game, just as blisteringly hard, more mapping symbols available for use |
Switch | Etrian Odyssey II HD | 2023 | Dungeon Crawler | Based on the original (non-Untold) version of the game, adds QoL like updating skill tree displays and remasters the soundtrack, along with changing the mapping system |
DS | Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City | 2010 | Turn-Based | Plays like the two before it; adds 12 new classes, subclassing, weapon forging, and seafaring |
Switch | Etrian Odyssey III HD | 2023 | Dungeon Crawler | Adds QoL like being able to view enemy info in combat and remasters the soundtrack, along with changing the mapping system |
3DS | Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan | 2013 | Dungeon Crawler | More of the dungeon delving you'd expect, now with an additional overworld in the sky (and more dangerous enemies there to boot) |
3DS | Etrian Odyssey Nexus | 2019 | Dungeon Crawler | A love letter to the series, taking elements from EOI-IV; goes back to the subclassing system, a very very large number of maps to traverse |
Switch | Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection | 2023 | Dungeon Crawler | Bundles the streamlined HD versions of the first three Etrian Odyssey games |
3DS | Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl | 2013 | Dungeon Crawler | A reimagining of the first game, adds a story mode and a few other QoL changes |
3DS | Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth | 2017 | Dungeon Crawler | Adds a variety of races to character creation, and features a branching skill tree for character progression/class mastery, removes overworld exploration |
PSX | Kartia: The Word of Fate | 1998 | Strategy | SRPG initially localized as a Blockbuster Video rental exclusive, uses cards to manipulate battle |
JP SFC | Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei | 1995 | Turn-Based | Enhanced remake of Megami Tensei 1 and 2 |
JP SFC | Majin Tensei | 1994 | Strategy | SRPG SMT spinoff with (naturally) demon recruitment and fusion |
JP SFC | Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis | 1995 | Strategy | More or less the same as the first, but with an isometric battle view as opposed to top-down |
JP Game Gear | Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible Special | 1995 | Turn-Based | Biblical-themed first-person dungeon crawl, with gameplay otherwise similar to the other Last Bibles |
JP DS | Nora to Toki no Koubou: Kiri no Mori no Majo | 2011 | Turn-Based | Atlus' attempt at an Atelier-styled game, with anticipatedly adorable results |
PSX | Persona 2: Eternal Punishment | 2000 | Turn-Based | Half of the Persona 2 story- the other half wasn't officially localized until years later |
PS3 | Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (PSone Classics) | 2013 | Turn-Based | See PSX |
PSP | Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (PSone Classics) | 2013 | Turn-Based | See PSX |
Vita | Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (PSone Classics) | 2013 | Turn-Based | See PSX |
JP PSX | Persona 2: Innocent Sin | 1999 | Turn-Based | The missing half of Persona 2 in the Americas |
PS4 | Persona 3 Portable (DL only) | 2023 | Turn-Based | See PSP, but with improved/remastered graphics |
Xbox One | Persona 3 Portable (DL only) | 2023 | Turn-Based | See PS4 |
Xbox Series | Persona 3 Portable (DL only) | 2023 | Turn-Based | See PS4 |
Switch | Persona 3 Portable (DL only) | 2023 | Turn-Based | See PS4 |
Xbox One | Persona 4 Golden (DL only) | 2023 | Turn-Based | See PS4 |
Xbox Series | Persona 4 Golden (DL only) | 2023 | Turn-Based | See PS4 |
PS4 | Persona 4 Golden (DL only) | 2023 | Turn-Based | See Vita, but with improved graphics and some QoL features like saving anywhere and looking back on previous social conversations |
Switch | Persona 4 Golden (DL only) | 2023 | Turn-Based | See PS4 |
Vita | Persona 4: Golden | 2012 | Turn-Based | Adds new social links, a new character, more story elements, costumes, and Personas in addition to QoL changes |
PS3 | Persona 5 | 2017 | Turn-Based | Demon negotiation, collection, and fusion, all with a bunch of stylish teens! |
PS4 | Persona 5 | 2017 | Turn-Based | See PS3 |
Switch | Persona 5 Royal | 2022 | Turn-Based | See PS5 |
PS5 | Persona 5 Royal | 2022 | Turn-Based | See PS4, but with spiffed-up graphics and framerate |
PS4 | Persona 5 Royal | 2020 | Turn-Based | Adds a new party member, new Social Links, a new section of the story, and loads of tweaks and additions to gameplay |
Xbox Series | Persona 5 Royal | 2022 | Turn-Based | See PS5 |
Xbox One | Persona 5 Royal | 2022 | Turn-Based | See PS5 |
PS4 | Persona 5 Strikers | 2021 | Action | See Switch |
Switch | Persona 5 Strikers | 2021 | Action | A sequel to Persona 5 (if you pretend Royal never happened) with ARPG gameplay; much more in-depth strategy required than your typical musou-like game |
3DS | Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth | 2019 | Dungeon Crawler | A P3/P4/P5 crossover this time focusing on the P5 cast; similar gameplay to Persona Q but with the difficulty rebalanced |
3DS | Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth | 2014 | Dungeon Crawler | A P3/P4 crossover with Etrian Odyssey-styled gameplay; characters equip Personas to change affinities/attacks/weaknesses as well as sub-Personas that confer extra abilities |
DS | Radiant Historia | 2011 | Turn-Based | Turn-based grid combat, lots of time travel and utilizing branching timelines to affect the future |
3DS | Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology | 2018 | Turn-Based | Adds additional scenario content, reworks the visuals, and gives characters the ability to make follow-up attacks in combat |
PSX | Revelations: Persona | 1996 | Turn-Based | A questionably localized game/spinoff of the SMT series; Mark danced crazy! |
JP PSX | Shin Megami Tensei | 2001 | Turn-Based | Visually overhauls the SFC version, but is otherwise no different than the original |
JP SFC | Shin Megami Tensei | 1992 | Dungeon Crawler | 1st-person dungeon crawl with demon recruitment/fusion, only localized on mobile |
JP GBA | Shin Megami Tensei | 2003 | Turn-Based | Keeps the visuals from the Playstation version, makes a few balance changes and adds some unlockable story scenes |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon | 2009 | Action | Very similar to its predecessor, but uses demon negotiation rather than capture elements |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon (PS2 Classics) | 2014 | Turn-Based | See PS2 |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army | 2006 | Action | Deviates from series norms by being more of an ARPG and taking place in the past, demon assistance is always present |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army (PS2 Classics) | 2014 | Turn-Based | See PS2 |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers | 2013 | Turn-Based | Remake of a JP-only Saturn game; demon alignment makes a large difference in battle, dictating what types of attacks they prefer; demon pairs can also be incompatible |
DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor | 2009 | Strategy | SRPG with branching narrative choices and squads of units rather than individuals, plus demons of course |
DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 | 2012 | Strategy | Plays largely the same as the first, but adds a social system to influence the ending |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker | 2015 | Strategy | Adds a post-ending scenario, voice acting, an easier difficulty mode, a new character, and QoL changes |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked | 2011 | Strategy | Adds an additional day of plot, more demons, QoL improvements, voice acting, difficulty selection, and a graphical retouch |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga | 2005 | Turn-Based | Straightforward turn-based JRPG, characters transform into demons in battle, lots of turn manipulation in combat |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga (PS2 Classics) | 2014 | Turn-Based | See PS2 |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 | 2005 | Turn-Based | See above - direct sequel to Digital Devil Saga |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 (PS2 Classics) | 2014 | Turn-Based | See PS2 |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne | 2004 | Turn-Based | AKA Shin Megami Tensei 3 - has all the expected demon recruitment, does not feature a Law/Chaos branching system |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (PS2 Classics) | 2014 | Turn-Based | See PS2 |
PSP | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona | 2009 | Turn-Based | Adds the previously excluded Snow Queen Quest, readjusts difficulty levels and encounter rates, and reworks the dialogue to be more modern |
Vita | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona (DL only) | 2012 | Turn-Based | See PSP |
PSP | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin | 2011 | Turn-Based | Previously never localized in North America, the direct predecessor to Eternal Punishment; contains demon recruitment and rumor-spreading |
Vita | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin (DL only) | 2012 | Turn-Based | See PSP |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 | 2007 | Turn-Based | Where the Persona series really began to pick up steam in mainstream consciousness; introduced the Social Link element used by future entries |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES | 2008 | Turn-Based | Adds an additional epilogue scenario to the original game, debatably the definitive edition |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES (PS2 Classics) | 2012 | Turn-Based | See PS2 |
PSP | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable | 2010 | Turn-Based | Adds a female main character to Persona 3, alters Social Links accordingly, does not contain "The Answer" scenario, gives control over other party members in combat |
Vita | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable (DL only) | 2012 | Turn-Based | See PSP |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 | 2008 | Simulation | The RPG/life sim (of sorts) series continues, this time with a murder mystery theme and an obsession with the color yellow |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (PS2 Classics) | 2014 | Turn-Based | See PS2 |
DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey | 2010 | Dungeon Crawler | First-person dungeon crawler with demon battling, negotiation, and fusion - all in Antarctica! |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux | 2018 | Turn-Based | Newly added routes, endings, demons, and voice acting along with graphical and QoL upgrades |
JP SFC | Shin Megami Tensei if… | 1994 | Turn-Based | Like regular SMT, but in a centralized high school setting. This is Persona's daddy! |
JP SFC | Shin Megami Tensei II | 1994 | Dungeon Crawler | Similar to but easier than the first game |
Switch | Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster | 2021 | Turn-Based | See PS4 |
PS4 | Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster | 2021 | Turn-Based | See PS2, but also cleans up the graphics, gives you the option to not have Dante, and expands difficulty options |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei IV | 2013 | Turn-Based | Takes place in a separate world from the other SMT games, gameplay elements like demon recruitment/fusion, the 3-pronged alignment choice, and the Press Turn system return |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse | 2016 | Turn-Based | A follow-up to/alternate timeline story in the same world as SMT IV, makes some QoL changes to the gameplay loop from its predecessor |
Switch | Shin Megami Tensei V | 2021 | Turn-Based | Probably the most beginner-friendly of the mainline series, but still punishing if you aren't paying attention |
Xbox One | Soul Hackers 2 | 2022 | Turn-Based | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Soul Hackers 2 | 2022 | Turn-Based | See PS5 |
PS4 | Soul Hackers 2 | 2022 | Turn-Based | See PS5 |
PS5 | Soul Hackers 2 | 2022 | Turn-Based | A modern-day interpretation of cyberpunk themes with character bonding moments and the usual demon fusion |
PS2 | Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity | 2005 | Strategy | SRPG with a similar position-heavy system to Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth |
PS3 | Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity (PS2 Classics) | 2013 | Strategy | See PS2 |
PSX | Thousand Arms | 1999 | Turn-Based | JRPG with heavy dating sim elements |
Wii U | Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE | 2016 | Turn-Based | Modern-themed crossover between the Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem series, turn-based gameplay and combo attacks |
Switch | Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore | 2020 | Turn-Based | Adds new side stories and all previous DLC; allows a secondary party member to be called into combat; other QoL changes |