Nintendo fans have undeniably reveled in the recent influx of love from the Persona series, with titles like Persona 5 Royal and Persona 4 Golden making their way onto the Switch. However, the anticipation and excitement turned to a bit of disappointment when the announcement for Persona 3 Reload, a remake of the beloved Persona 3, excluded the Switch from its list of supported platforms.
The Persona series, traditionally tethered to PlayStation consoles, has gradually made its presence felt on the Nintendo Switch, creating a sense of optimism among fans. Persona 5 Royal graced the Switch in 2022, and Persona 4 Golden joined the platform a year prior. Additionally, spinoffs like Persona 5 Strikers (2020) and Persona 5 Tactics (November 2023) have also found their way to Nintendo’s console.
Given this trend, it seemed like Atlus and P-Studio, the publisher and developer respectively, were fully committed to the Switch. Therefore, the omission of Persona 3 Reload from the platform’s lineup was a surprising letdown for fans eagerly awaiting its arrival.
While the reasons behind this exclusion remain somewhat unclear, Persona 3 Reload’s director, Takuya Yamaguchi, and producer, Ryota Niitsuma, addressed the situation in a recent interview with the Spanish-language website Atomix.vg. In their conversation, translated by Google Translate and verified by IGN, they hinted at the possibility of a Switch port in the future, stating, “Of course, the idea is there, but it’s a matter of discussing it with the team, and seeing what they think about it, and we’ll see what happens.”
Although not an outright commitment, this acknowledgment at least signifies an awareness of the demand for a Switch version. Moreover, there’s speculation that Atlus and P-Studio might have a Nintendo console version in mind, not necessarily for the current Switch but potentially for its rumored successor, believed by many to be on the horizon later this year. It’s a waiting game for fans as they remain hopeful for any official announcements.
As Persona 3 Reload is gearing up for release on other major platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, on February 2, the curiosity and eagerness among Switch owners persist. A recent preview of the game suggests that it goes beyond a basic remake, with assertions that “Persona 3 Reload isn’t a remake with a few alterations here and there; it’s a sincerely thought-through updated game that can seemingly stand on its own two legs in the competitive Persona lineup.” So, while the anticipation for a Switch release continues, fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates that may bring Persona 3 Reload to their beloved platform.