Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 (P3) has been released across multiple systems. Here is a comparison of the different versions and which is best to invest in.
Depending on which system you buy Persona 3 on, there may be additional content or content missing. Like many ATLUS titles, the game has been ported and re-released multiple times. This article will show you how to determine which is the best version of the game to purchase to get the most out of the experience.
Side-by-Side Chart
Currently, there are 4 different versions of Persona 3, released across several generations of systems.
Persona 3‘s base story, known as “The Journey”, has been expanded over time with an epilogue known as “The Answer”, which offers players the chance to experience the True Ending.
| P3 | P3: FES | P3P | P3R | |
| System(s) | PS2 | PS2 | PSP, PC, XSX, XBO, PS4, NS | PC, PS5, XSX, PS4, NS |
| Protagonist | M only | M only | M and F | M only |
| Base Story: The Journey | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Epilogue: The Answer | No | Yes | No | Yes (DLC) |
| Controllable Party Members | No | No | Yes | No |
| Desert of Doors | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Beginner Mode & Maniac Mode | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hard Mode | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Theodore | No | No | Yes | No |
| Fully Animated Cutscenes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 3D Daytime Environments | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Persona 3 (P3)
Persona 3 is the base version of the game that each of the various re-releases uses as a foundation. It was released exclusively for PlayStation 2, and does not include the Epilogue known as “The Answer”.
There are 3D environments that can be explored during the day. Unlike other versions, the protagonist is exclusively male. There are only two difficulty modes, including Easy and Normal.
Persona 3: FES (P3: FES)
Persona 3: FES, short for Festival, is an enhanced version of the original game that contains additional content. It was released exclusively for PlayStation 2, and includes the Epilogue known as “The Answer”. This extra content has Aigis exploring a new dungeon called “Abyss of Time”, clarifying plot threads from the base version, and includes the True Ending.
There are 3D environments that can be explored during the day. Unlike other versions, the protagonist is exclusively male. In addition to Easy and Normal, a Hard difficulty option has been added for “The Journey” and is the only difficulty for “The Answer”. The Naganaki Shrine overhaul lets players alter Tartarus for future visits and adds new fusible Personas and new wearable costumes.
Unlike Persona 3 Portable, it does not have additional dialogue for Social Links, nor the additional ending scenes that can be accessed via New Game Plus.
Persona 3 Portable (P3P)
Persona 3 Portable, also known as P3P, is an enhanced version of the original game that contains additional content. It was originally released for PlayStation Portable then brought to modern systems, and does not include the Epilogue known as “The Answer”. There are no 3D environments that can be explored throughout the day. Fully animated cutscenes have been removed from this version.
The protagonist can be male (Yuki) or female (Manako), which adds new Social Links, improved dialogue, and more ending scenes. A new Velvet Room attendant named Theodore has been added alongside Elizabeth. In addition to Easy, Normal, and Hard, two new difficulties, Beginner and Maniac, have been added.
Even without the “Abyss of Time” dungeon from the Epilogue included in other versions, P3P offers the “Desert of Doors”, a new bonus area occupied by Margaret from Persona 4 which allows you to challenge harder versions of bosses.
The player can switch tactics to “Direct” which allows them to fully control their AI party members in combat.
Persona 3 Reload (P3R)
Persona 3 Reload is a full remake of the original game that contains additional content. It was released across all modern systems and includes the Epilogue known as “The Answer” via DLC. There are 3D environments that can be explored throughout the day. Fully animated cutscenes are present in this version.
This game brings updated visuals, reworked gameplay mechanics, and quality-of-life improvements. It features enhanced graphics with detailed character models, refined environments, and dynamic lighting. The battle system is updated to resemble later Persona games, like Persona 5, with improved controls and new combat features.
The protagonist can only be male (Yuki). In addition to Easy, Normal, and Hard, three new difficulties, Peaceful, Merciless, and Heartless, have been added.
Reload also includes full voice acting, remastered music, and expanded character interactions, adding more depth to social links and story events. While it stays true to the original narrative, the remake introduces additional cutscenes, fresh dialogue, and more opportunities to bond with characters.
Which is the best version of Persona 3?
With the extensions to Social Links, the fully controllable party members, the additional story with the inclusion of the female protagonist option, and other QOL improvements from the base game and FES, there’s little room for doubt that P3P is the definitive version of the game. This assertion has been proven since this was the version that received a re-release in 2023 for modern systems.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 is a role-playing game developed by ATLUS and initially released in 2006 for PlayStation 2.