Persona 5: The Phantom Xmay have started as a mobile experiment, but it is quickly becoming something far more strategic. Atlus has been expanding the game’s playable cast, slowly incorporating legacy characters and alternate universes into its mechanics and narratives. WithPersona 3 ReloadandMetaphor: ReFantazioboth performing well, the company has a clear interest in leveraging its past and future titles to shape where thePersonaseries goes next.
The recent inclusion ofPersona 3 ReloadandPersona 5 Royalcharacters inThePhantom Xsuggests that Atlus is willing to draw directly from its major console releases. That opens the door for earlier, less mainstream entries to appear in the mobile game. Characters fromPersona 1and thePersona 2duology may finally get the exposure they need before their games receive long-anticipated remakes.
Persona 5 Phantom X Could Introduce Lost Characters
UnlikePersona 4 Golden, which enjoyed wide availability thanks to PC, Vita, and current console re-releases,Persona 1andPersona 2remain relatively obscure. The older titles have been difficult to access in recent years, especially in the West. Most of the characters have never had the kind of spotlight the later casts enjoy. That creates a challenge if Atlus intends to reintroduce these stories to a modern audience.
A practical workaround would be to ease players into theworld ofPersona 1and2by integrating familiar faces intoThe Phantom X. Framing these legacy characters as “Phantom Idols” could give newcomers a way to engage with them without having to play the original games first. This tactic mirrors whatFire Emblem Heroeshas done to resurface older characters through collectible events and special narratives.
Persona 2itself is split into two games,Innocent SinandEternal Punishment, but only the former was officially localized for PSP in English. This makes characters like Tatsuya Suou and Maya Amano especially hard to access for Western players.
If these early game characters join the pool of Phantom Idols, it is a low-risk, high-reward move. Atlus can gauge fan interest, monitor engagement data, and introduce key character traits orsignature Personaswithout needing to fully localize or remake the older titles immediately. Players get to meet them while Atlus gets feedback.
Phantom X’s Crossovers Show a Clear Pattern
ThePhantom X’s mobile structure allows Atlusto run events that would be awkward or impractical in a full-scale RPG. Time-limited banners and crossover quests already brought inPersona 3 Reloadcharacters like Aigis and Yukari.Persona 5 Royalstaples like Ryuji and Ann have also appeared. There is a growing pattern here. New characters join the cast with minimal narrative friction, and fans continue to summon them enthusiastically.
This model sets a strong precedent for further expansion. If Atlus follows the same approach, then a wave of Phantom Idols based on earlier characters becomes increasingly likely. Even just a handful, such asTatsuya fromPersona 2,Maki Sonomura fromPersona 1, or fan-favorite Jun Kurosu, could be introduced through themed events or story quests.
Tatsuya is often noted by fans as one of the most complex protagonists in the series, dealing with guilt and identity in ways thatPersona 5arguably only touches on.
Atlus already has experience remixing older games. The upcomingRaidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army Remasteris further proof that it is invested in honoring its legacy. Reintroducing oldPersonacharacters viaThe Phantom Xwould not onlyprepare players for a potentialPersona 4remake, but it could also quietly set the stage for future remakes of the oldest entries.
Persona 5 Phantom X Supports the Bigger Plan
Atlus has shown that it rarely makes moves without long-term intent. WithPersona 3 Reloadbeing a major successandMetaphor: ReFantazioattracting fresh attention, this is an opportune time to reconnect players with the series’ roots.The Phantom Xprovides a platform with low risk and strong upside, especially as rumors of aPersona 4remake continue to build.
If aPersona 4remake is indeed on the way, then older entries could follow. Testing the waters by introducing early characters inThe Phantom Xgives Atlus a real-time look at engagement, popularity, and commercial potential. This approach is less about nostalgia and more about strategic pacing. Build familiarity first, and then reintroduce the full games when the time is right.
This pattern already mirrors what happened withPersona 3.Atlus addedPersona 3 Portableto modern storefronts, then launchedReloadonce interest was reestablished. The same kind of buildup could be happening now, especially as mobile content expands to become more narratively and mechanically ambitious.
