Update [Thu 15th Dec, 2022 15:10 GMT]: North American eShop pages for both Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden are now live, meaning you can pre-order both titles for the Switch right now.
Better still, both games are only $19.99 each. What are you waiting for!?
Original article [Wed 14th Dec, 2022 11:15 GMT]: Publisher Atlus has detailed some of the features players can expect when Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden both launch on Switch on January 19th, 2023.
There's nothing particularly life-altering here, but the changes are all very welcome and should make for a much improved experience from the game's original releases. Primarily, of course, players can expect both games to boast improved, high-resolution visuals, which should look pretty tasty on the Switch OLED in particular. We've also got a handy quick-save feature to let you save anywhere, a revamped difficulty feature, and an album feature specifically for Persona 4 Golden.
Here's some more detailed info from Atlus:
Smooth, High-Resolution Graphics
Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden have been reborn from their original versions with high-resolution graphics, allowing you to enjoy the game with vividly high-definition visuals and smooth controls.
Choose Your Difficulty from the Start
The difficulty level that you were able to select from your second playthrough can now be chosen from when you start the game. Since difficulty level does not affect the development of the story, “Very Easy” or “Easy” are recommended for players who just want to enjoy the story.
Quick Save
In addition to save points, you can now save your game at any time with “Quick Save.”
Album Feature for Persona 4 Golden
A new function has been added to Persona 4 Golden, which allows you to look back on previous scenes from the album in your room. You can also choose different answers from those you selected when you first played the scene.
Will you be picking up Persona 3 Portable or Persona 4 Golden in the new year? Or perhaps both? Let us know!
[source gematsu.com]
Comments 77
But why not the FES version of P3?
Personally, I won't be paying a cent without physical releases. Chop chop, Sega/Atlus.
Had low expectations for the Persona 3 port, and yet I am still disappointed by these additions and looks lol.
Still hoping for some sort of Physical release. But knowing (R)atlus, they won't give in. So may just get P3 on release and get 4 later down the line on sale, as I already own 4 on Vita twice and on Steam.
Quick save is a welcome feature. I've been caught out before in persona games waiting for a save point.
If there are physical releases I will definitely be purchasing.
I'll wait for a physical release. In the meantime, I'll play these games on my Series X thru Game Pass.
Very excited for P4 Golden, I think that's going to be my big game for the start of 2023 and having quick saves and difficulty options from the get go, while certainly expected from a re-release like this, is still highly appreciated. Will say though: I got very excited for a second thinking the Album was a music player. I was quickly brought back down to Earth on that one XD
i just want them to run at 60fps
Quick save is a welcome addition.
Still rather disappointed that we're not getting a "definitive" version of P3 though...
I never beat either of the vanilla versions of these games before finally breaking through and finishing 5. I think I will likely get both, just not right at release, and maybe not even on Switch.
I'm also a bit perplexed that they went with P3P over FES too.
Now please port that Persona 2 remake to anything other than Vita!!
Excited for Persona 4! Played it on the ps2 but couldnt complete it
Im three palaces into Persona 5 at the moment and I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I’m enjoying myself, especially since I struggle to focus enough to stick with lengthy RPGs. If I manage to get through P5, I may pick up these two, and I’m hoping someone does a physical release, even if Atlus doesn’t.
How about making Persona 5 Royal more accessible? It's either sold out everywhere or sold for ridiculous prices. Talking about physical version here.
Sounds great. I'm looking forward to them
Beat P5R not too long ago, will absolutely be picking these up day 1, the series has sold me.
Quick save is always appreciated.
@Fizza It has had a music player since the Vita version. I don't think it has all the music, though.
Having played both P3P and P3FES I can say the problem with each version is that both contain exclusive content. P3P is the "definitive" balanced gameplay and adds female MC route, but it lacks the overworld walking from OG P3 and FES and lacks FES' extra story chapter.
A true definitive version, imo, would be P3P balance and additions, overworld walking and FES extra chapter. Given how P3P evolved in divergence to FES, I believe that would be a ton of extra work. Possibly more than Sega/Atlus are interested in doing for such an old game when P4 and P5 have a bigger following (P3 is my favorite)
Well, talking about new features... What's about dual audio support?
I already have both for a couple of bucks on the PS Vita store, but if they release a physical version I’ll certainly double dip.
I had planned to only get P3P myself on Switch, but I think I'll splurge and get both. Just to have them for an eventual replay later in 2023 or beyond.
Last time I played P4G was about 5 or 6 years ago, and P3P was more than 7 or 8 years back.
Where does the time go?
@Vyacheslav333 Well, the Steam version of Golden did have dual audio, so these probably will as well.
@Fizza @Scooby-Doo Nah, I'm pretty sure the music player does have every single track.
Given my memory of playing Persona 5 years ago, I think that Quick Save is an amazing addition! I do think I'll wait and play these on the Switch.
I've been playing P5R recently (I'm on November the 20th) and it's very much a "style first, substance second" kind of a game when compared to SMT proper.
Without some greater improvements to P3 and P4 (not to mention physical releases) I will most likely pass.
I've been reading how a lot of people are refusing to buy the games unless it's in a physical format. Is it something about the games itself or is it just preference?
Not buying P3P. I’ll buy P4G if it’s the same price as P4U but if it’s full price like P5R then I’ll pass.
@TheSilverShroud I can't speak for the rest, but Switch is pretty much the last system actually doing physical releases, so I prefer to get anything significant in that form. On top of that, P3 and P4 are older games that were on sale on other systems already (and have been easy to emulate for years), so in exchange for a relatively high price tag I'd like to at least have an option to sell the games in the future, if I so desire.
@TeaCatherine @Scooby-Doo Thank you for the information! I always appreciate when games or re-releases include a jukebox-esque feature so that, in the inevitability Youtube versions get taken down, I always have backups (I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've listened to the Sound Test in Smash Ultimate).
@TheSilverShroud There are various reasons why people prefer physical over digital, sometimes like you said to the point of not getting the game if it's the latter: game preservation, saving memory, letting family and friends borrow it...
Which is why I still get physical games myself, but if they aren't available or cost too much I don't mind going for digital since playing the games is what matters the most to me!
By the way, let's not forget that digital has its advantages, too: getting the game as soon as it's available (in fact I still haven't got my physical Persona 5 Royal copy because of an issue with my order), not having to switch (heh) cartridges, bigger discounts etc. and that's the reason why I'm happy when both options are available!
@Fizza doesn't P4G already have some sort of jukebox? Been ages since I had Vita version installed, but I think it did. There were even a couple concert videos thrown in.
@nhSnork I've been avoiding footage of 4 Golden like the plague ever since I learned it was coming to Switch so I wouldn't really know myself XD
@dojmin in what country? I was just on Best Buy earlier and it’s $29.99 right now, readily available.
I've been streaming Persona 3 FES, and the overworld exploration is something I feel like I'll enjoy more when I play Portable for not having to walk everywhere, so I'm glad that they are bringing Portable to consoles... But for god's sake, why didn't they just give these a physical release? Even if it was a double pack for $60, I'd buy it in a heartbeat!
@Fizza Same here on the jukebox function, although I mainly only use them when my MP3 player's out of charge. (My family are probably some of only people who still use MP3 players.)
@nhSnork It still has the jukebox thing, but they removed the concert videos in the Steam version, so they're probably not present in this version either.
@calbeau they lost the source code...
@Sisilly_G Don't hold your breath. ATLUS thinks you all should just be eternally grateful they are giving you these games to begin with.
They might allow Limited Run (or whoever) to do a physical run but don't expect ATLUS to spend any more money on these games.
@dojmin Wow what the hell happened? A couple of weeks ago it was down to £35 and now it’s £50-55 everywhere! I knew I should have bit when it was £35!
@TheSilverShroud preference. Some folks are physical only.
@TheSilverShroud - If I am paying physical prices, I expect physical product.
And that entails flexibility of access, I need my games consistently playable even if I decide to play the game after the Switch is dead.
Imagine having the Gamecube all-digital and you wanted to play it again because of some rare game like Lost Kingdoms you never got to. You're only way of accessing that is finding a GCN with it installed.
Wait a few weeks and they’ll be 50% off like Persona 5 Royal.
I already have P3 FES and P4 on my PS2 and P4G on my PS Vita.
These great games deserved a full remakes, not a simple ports.
And I'm interested in P3P physical copy only .
we need a physical release of both these games !!
@TheSilverShroud i only buy physical games for a few reasons to collect the games or if i am done with a game and no longer want it trade it in for something else.. plus a physical game is always yours to keep..
Please give us physical release of these games Sega/Atlus. Y'all did a great job with Persona 5 Royal, Bayonetta 3, and Sonic Frontiers, don't screw these up like you did Sonic Origins.
@Serpenterror Bayo 3 wasn’t Sega
I wish someone in the reviews had told me that P5R is 95% visual novel, 5% turn-based RPG. I spent hours advancing through dialogue only to have a battle that is over in 2 turns. Great story, but no one prepared me for how much time I was going to spend just choosing "ok" or "let's go". I had to return the game. At least in Ace Attorney my dialogue choices are significant.
@larryisaman While Platinum Games developed the game, Sega was responsible for manufacturing it, Nintendo only help market and published the game. Bayonetta 3 is definitely from Sega.
All I want is a separate audio slider for the music, please.
@Serpenterror Bayo would have ended a long time ago if not for Nintendo...
a physical double pack would have meant a day one purchase for me. will buy it anyway but maybe wait for a price drop
@Serpenterror Nintendo publishing the game means they were also in charge of putting out the physical versions. They did everything but develop it, from funding it to manufacturing. Sega did nothing but license the IP to Nintendo and likely some supervising of the project but for all intents and purposes Bayo 3 (and 2) are Nintendo games through and through. Sega aren’t going to pick up the costs of distributing a game they didn’t make
I'll probably pick up one of them the day-of and the other later. Not exactly a series where you want to just slam through one after another anyway given how lengthy they are, plus Fire Emblem's out the next day.
Wish they would release something about EO
How long ago did they say they will share news soon?
I bought P5 Royal recently and I love it. Since then I bought Shin Megami Tensei V and P5 Strikers as well. I’m kind of obsessed with the franchise at this point.
I will definitely pick these two up as well.
@dojmin I walked into a best buy and bought mine
@TeaCatherine I know about it. But I doubt that the Persona 3 Portable will feature dual audio support.
@Vyacheslav333 Maybe, maybe not. I'd say it's at least a 50/50 chance.
I have been looking forward to these. Easy downloads for me. But I wonder why people are hellbent on a physical version? Sure, it's cool to have a physical copy but that's not even a reasonable reason to force yourself to miss out. Plus most of the time if they do get physical, it's either from a limited release company like Limited Run games or you have to import it and both ways ask for too much for the same exact game only on a cartridge. Why should I buy these for $1,000 if I could get the same exact game on the eShop for like way cheaper? A route I recommend not going unless you are a diehard collector.
@streetzman Also might I add that by the time the Switch online servers end, these games will likely be dumped online and people will download these for free on ROM sites or Archive.org. They won't be preserve officially, but it's still preservation. The Switch might reach Homebrew capabilities like other consoles like the Wii, Wii U, 3DS, PS3 and PSVita.
@Chunkboi79 good for you, I don't know what's a best buy
If they run good I'll happily buy both on release. Persona 3 was my first Persona game and P4G is my favorite!
I watched the Persona 3 Movies and Persona 4 Anime so I could get into Persona Q. So I already know how the plot goes for these games. But it could be fun exploring the world and fighting the bosses myself. Especially for Persona 3 since the movie glosses over a lot of stuff. So I might try them in the future if they go on sale and I have time. Certainly going to play Persona 5 on Christmas or my birthday this year though.
For those of you on the fence about diving into the Persona series, I would count P4G as one of the ten best games I’ve ever played in my life.
No album mode for 3 Portable and 5 Royal? Pity. Would have loved to replay scenes from them.
@TheSilverShroud Well there's various reasons why people prefer physical over digital, game preservation, saving memory on sales, it might go on sale cheaper then a digital version and on Nintendo consoles at least not needing a internet connection to verify you bought the game in this day and age.
Personally I like going physical cause for one, I'll actually own my copy that way.
Digital does have it advantages too, for example most of my multiplayer games are digital for convenience on switch
I will buy digital because it’s the only option. And then, if enough people do that fangamer or someone will do a limited release physical and I will buy that.
I’ll chime in to say physical release or no buy for me, too. These would need a steep discount before I would consider buying digitally.
Physical is nearly always my first preference, as they’re tangible assets I can lend, sell, or keep as I see fit, not a personal use license tied to an eShop that could close someday. Especially big games like RPGs - they’re like books! You dig into them for a few days or weeks, then put them back on the shelf.
So I’ll wait for news - I’ve already got too much to play as it is!
Im glad i got my copy of Persona 5 royal it was the last one gamestop had in stock i'll definitely be getting persona 4 golden persona 3 portable is my least favorite version so im skipping that one
@calbeau
Persona 3 deserves a full remake. Both FES and P3P have meaningful content that the other lacks. With that said, if I have to choose between one of the existing versions, I'm definitely picking P3P.
@koffing
I doubt fan gamer would make a physical version of these games. These are games that are published / owned by SEGA, not some small indie studio.
It's possible that SEGA will release a physical version of these games if they sell well (see Sonic Mania for a somewhat recent example), but I wouldn't count on it. Alien Isolation and Valkyria Chronicles are examples of some older SEGA titles that have gotten digital-only Switch ports (and have stayed digital only for years).
@Doomcrow
Physical SEGA games seem to go on sale almost immediately these days. Persona 5 Royal, Sonic Frontiers, SMTV, 13 Sentinels and Lost Judgment are all recent examples of this. With that said, these immediate sales seem to be mainly for the physical copies. Since these games are digital-only they may not go on sale as frequently.
@Serpenterror Nintendo published Bayo 3 meaning they also produced the physical copies of it. Sega is just the owner of the IP.
@calbeau Because it's tangled mess of spaghetti code, it makes Game Freak look efficient. Same reason why Persona 4 Golden was chosen over Vanilla P4.
Looking forward to playing P3 again, I have some fond memories of it from the PS2. Never did finish it though, so now may be my chance. Yay for save anywhere! Would love a physical edition but will go digital if there is no other option.
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