Time for some blunt honesty. I love Persona 4 Golden. So much so that in preparation for this review, I realized most of the gameplay and story elements I’ve already discussed are already on MegaVisions in other articles. If you want to see my thoughts on the game, you can find them here. 

So this review will be different than most of my other write-ups. Today, I’m going to focus on the differences performance-wise between the three new systems Persona 4 Golden has released, the PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch. As Igor says, let’s begin.

What are the improvements from the original Persona 4?

First, let’s go over why if you’re going to play Persona 4 Golden, it’s best to do it on this new release. Compared to the original Persona 4, Golden allows for more attacks in battle and more dungeons to explore. It gives more time for players to stay in Inaba to build social links (and find a surprising new one). Finally, it has a whole new final chapter and epilogue that expands on the story in a significant way. Golden improves on its original so well that many prefer it to be the best way to play Persona 4 for good reason.

The PS5/Series X 4K experience

Cleaning up the graphics and blowing up the resolution of a PS2-era game is always a gamble. In some instances, games look fine because the team took their time to meticulously look through each scene and render everything correctly. In other cases, games comes out looking horrific because someone high up decided to do just one render-through of the original game and call it a day (looking at you, Grand Theft Auto Trilogy). So where does Persona 4 Golden land with a 4K remaster on the Series X and PS5? 

Thankfully, Persona 4 Golden is the former. The game looks fantastically upscaled from its original counterpart. Colors pop more graphically, performance runs at a silky smooth 60FPS, and character models don’t look too out of place given the original intention and design. While some character emotions can look a little janky in the upscale, it’s not nearly as bad as some other remasters from the PS2 era of gaming. Atlus cared and gave new console users the best version of Persona 4 Golden you can play on home systems.

Don’t count out the Switch version

But what about Nintendo’s hybrid home/handheld system? The Switch is preferred by many for RPGs due to its portable nature. And fans have been clamoring for years for Persona 4 Golden to make its way to the console. 

Thankfully, Atlus knew this and delivered a hell of a fantastic port to Nintendo fans. To my surprise, the game runs at 60 FPS, docked and undocked. Plus, even though it maxes at 1080p docked and 720p undocked, the title looks fantastic with the upscaled graphics. It’s much clearer with sublime color pop than the 2012 PlayStation Vita version. I tried to hold on as long as I could to that one last claim the Vita had, but it’s gone. The best way to play Persona 4 Golden portably is the Nintendo Switch now. Ok, technically, it’s the Steam Deck. But more people have a Switch, so I’m sticking to my claim.

Final Thoughts

Atlus has given Persona 4 Golden the glow-up and availability it deserves for all modern fans. Whether you want to play with the highest resolution on your PS5/Xbox Series X or you prefer handheld on your Nintendo Switch, you’re not going to get screwed out of enjoying one of the best JRPGs of all time. 

So as I’ve been saying to my friends since 2012, what are you doing reading this? Go, play it now! There’s no “I don’t have a Vita” excuse anymore!