GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Persona 4 gets PS Vita version, fighting game spin-off

Atlus teams up with BlazBlue developer for brawler; Persona 5 also in the works with series director, lead character designer, and composer returning.

146 Comments

Ever since the Japanese release of the PSP Persona 2 port and the anime series iteration of Persona 4, things on the Atlus franchise's side have been quiet. That ended today, as Japanese gaming site Famitsu carried multiple major announcements in regard to the Shin Megami Tensei spin-off series.

Arc System Works is developing the Persona fighting game. (Image credit: Famitsu)
Arc System Works is developing the Persona fighting game. (Image credit: Famitsu)

As revealed by a recent teaser site, Atlus will be remaking Persona 4 for the upcoming PlayStation Vita console. The portable iteration of the hit 2008 title will feature a new character named Mary, more voice work during in-game dialogue scenes, and new animated cutscenes. The game will also include a new wireless support feature where players can call upon other users when their party members are close to death. The new port will be out next spring in Japan.

Atlus also revealed it will be teaming up with Arc System Works (creator of the BlazBlue series) to develop a 2D fighter based on the Persona universe. The game will be called Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena and will launch in spring 2012 for the arcades, with a PS3 and Xbox 360 release due for summer 2012. The game will feature characters from Persona 3 and 4.

Finally, Atlus confirmed that Persona 5 is in the works, with series director Katsura Hashino resuming his role once again. Shigenori Soejima and Shoji Meguro will return to their roles of lead character designer and music composer, respectively.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 was released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2. The game was praised for its engaging combat, great ensemble of characters, and a deep storyline with multiple endings.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 146 comments about this story