WhileFinal Fantasymay still rule the JRPG space, there are a handful of franchises that have hunted its crown.Personais one such series, with roots on the original PlayStation and its most recent mainline release on the PlayStation 4 wielding overwhelming critical praise. Smart character development, intricate leveling systems, and gorgeous presentation are essential pillars ofPersona,and while it has seen entries on a number of platforms, it’s always been beloved amongst fans of portable gaming.
TheNintendo Switch is one of the best handheld gaming devices of the last two decades. Its impressive and surprising ascent to the top was earned through its pioneering functionality and exceptional list of games on offer. Among those games, there are plenty of Japanese role-playing experiences that satisfy fans of the genre, fromXenoblade ChroniclestoPokemon, and soPersonawould fit wonderfully into the Switch’s ecosystem. To deny fans of either the system or the franchise the opportunity to experience any of the mainlinePersonagames on the Switch would be a shame, and squash the potential that the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Portable started.
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Persona’s Portable Past
Personamay have begun on the original PlayStation in 1996, but its willingness to find a home on portable devices makes it almost synonymous with gaming on the go. FromPersona 3 Portableon the PSP finding success and a cult following to the definitive version ofPersona 4being one of the best titles on theunderappreciated and mishandled PlayStation Vita, the franchise has reveled in its ability to be played on the move. The relationship betweenPersonaand portable gaming even stretches to Nintendo, asPersona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinthoffered a new perspective for the series on the 3DS. With this being the case, missing out the Switch would not only be a terrible shame, but a shocking omission.
The gameplay ofPersonalends itself so well to portable gaming. With randomly-generated dungeon design, plenty of Social Links, and dialogue that goes on for a long time, it’s perfect for the pick-up-put-down philosophy. Pushing a few floors into a dungeon inPersona 4 Goldenis a great way to spend time on the morning commute, and investing into some tonally bleak but mechanically light story beats inPersona 3 Portablewhen players have a spare five minutes is where the series truly shines. One ofPersona 5’s biggest issues was its length and pacing, but when it can be experienced over the course of months in short bursts of gameplay it can be far more easily digested.
Persona in Smash Bros
Receiving an invitation to join the festivities ofSuper Smash Bros.is cause for celebration in the industry. The crossover fighter is one of the most beloved series in all gaming; its willingness to pull characters from all the industry’s corners is impressive, and for gamers it’s a real treat. Among those inclusions there are always a few that are truly a surprise. Solid Snake’s inclusion inSmash Bros. Brawlwas a total surprise, and the same could be said whenPersona 5’s Joker was included inSmash Bros. Ultimate’s DLC. It wasn’t anything that anyone expected, and to this day it’s the only thing that boastsPersona 4 Golden’s gorgeous aesthetic on the Switch.
To fight in an arena draped inPersona 4 Golden’s colors and backed by someiconic songs from the PlayStation 2 JRPGis wonderful, but it’s a shock thatSmash Bros.would acknowledge the existence ofPersonawithout featuring the series' mainline games on the system. For Solid Snake, the case could be made that the originalMetal Geargame was on the NES, and so he has a short history with Nintendo.Persona 3, 4,and5don’t have such a past, so the series' inclusion inSmashis curious.
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Persona on Game Pass
Following the announcement at theXbox and Bethesda showcase that threePersonagames would launch of Game Passin 2023, fans were left with both excitement and confusion. AsPersonahas always had a strong relationship with portable devices, it was a head-scratching moment that the series would find a new home so early with the one company that doesn’t have a dedicated portable device on offer. Game Pass is a platform that is continuing to gain traction and prove that a subscription model can work with gaming as well as TV and film. It’s not necessarily shocking to seePersonaon the service, but to be featured on Game Pass before the Switch was puzzling, and a letdown to the over 100 million owners of Nintendo’s hybrid system.
With the Nintendo Switch’s success and the recent arrival of the Steam Deck, 2022 is the ripest the industry could possibly be to givePersona 4 Golden and Persona 3 Portablein particular their time in the sun. The former’s mobile experience was isolated to the PlayStation Vita, which was a commercial flop, and the latter was released far beforePersonabecame known to a wider audience.Persona 4 Goldenwas recently verified on the Steam Deck, so there’s hope that it will find the audience it deserves, but to truly gain widespread popularity it simply needs the Switch’s market.
Will Fans See it Coming?
Personaand the Nintendo Switch are a match made in heaven. The series' insane length and well-crafted design lends itself beautifully to portable gaming, and for the Switch to pass gamers by without any mainlinePersonagames being available would be a huge letdown, let alone a missed opportunity.The Switch doesn’t needPersonabut it would absolutely be better with it, and while Atlus may not admit it,Personaneeds the Switch.
TheNintendo Switch is one of the most revolutionary consolesin the history of gaming, and will likely be revered by fans for years after its successor hits shelves. BringingPersonato its already impressive list of available games is something that just feels natural.Super Smash Bros. Ultimateteased it and the Steam Deck proves that the series still fits handheld gaming like a glove, so it would be a shame to not bring the two together. Gamers want to see it coming.
