Persona 3 Portable: Arcade Game Guide

Older Person The games are finally getting a new lease on life, with Atlus' porting Persona 3 Portable AND Persona 4 Golden to modern consoles. The former cemented the franchise's now-familiar Social Link concept, not to mention a host of other peripheral activities. Some of these pastimes even include games within a game.

Arcade games found in Persona 3 Portable (originally exclusive to the PlayStation Portable handheld console) aren't just a fun way to waste time between storylines in the game. They can actually increase the in-game stats that the protagonist uses in battle. Each game impacts a different stat, from the protagonist's social stats to Persona-specific stats, and not all games are available every day. Those looking to max out their stats will want to visit the arcade on certain days to really achieve a “high score.”

Updated August 8, 2024 by Antonio Samson: With the release of Persona 3 Reload, fans may be wondering what the best ways to increase their social stats are and what to do. Fortunately, the Arcade works the same for both Persona 3 Portable and Reload. This article has been updated to provide more information and to meet CBR's editorial and formatting standards.

Persona 3 changed elements of the series for the better

How Social Links and Peripheral Features Revolutionized the Persona Franchise

Before the release of Person 3THE Person the subseries was thematically quite close to the main one Shin Megami Tensei series of video games. These titles were known for their dark undertones, most of which were post-apocalyptic and dealt with concepts such as eschatology and featured various deities (including the Judeo-Christian God) as enemies of humanity. This nihilism was present throughout the games, from their dark tone to their sense of isolation. The first two Person games (as well as the second part of Person 2) continued this way, although the focus was much more on world-building and especially character development and interaction between the main cast.

This came to a head in Person 3which introduced the concept of Social Links. This new gameplay mechanic allowed players to strengthen their bonds by hanging out and interacting with their party members. This was reflected in battles, with maxed-out party members able to survive powerful attacks and other benefits due to their strong bond with the protagonist. On top of this, there was also an increase in peripheral quality of life features and things to enjoy outside of the main story. Such frivolities were implemented in the sequel as well Person 4 and his entourage Person 5An example of these elements were the arcade games in Person 3. Not only do these provide a fun distraction from the main story of the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad, but they also increase several vital stats for the player. Using the Person 3 arcade games to increase stats means following the P3P However, it is important to stick to the arcade schedule and use your time wisely.

Persona 3 Portable Arcade Game Summary

A breakdown of matches and their impact on player stats

Charm, Academics and Courage

The Charm stat can be increased by playing the Print Club game at Person 3 arcade. Since the digital port is based on Persona 3 PortablePlayers can choose to be either a male or female main character. This means that the Charm trait will manifest itself in different ways for them.

In particular, maximum charm is necessary for Climb the popularity charts at school. Conversely, some Social Link jobs and confidants cannot be obtained or leveled up to certain points without making Charm as high as possible. So, the Person 3 The Print Club game is a good way to increase Charm.

Academic statistics are also an important factor in the fame and popularity of the school, and are fundamental for achieving good results in school exams and quizzes. Known as “Knowledge” in later games such as Person 5This stat can be increased in Person 3 quiz game. Courage is a test of the protagonists' courage and, just like the other two stats in this category, some jobs and relationships become available only when this is increased. Playing Horror House at Person 3 The arcade can enhance this element, giving the character the inner strength to face anything.

Strength, Agility and Magic

Some of the Person 3 Arcade games were added to the Persona 3 Portable version of the game. As the name might suggest, the Strength statistic manipulated by the Punching Bag game to Persona 3 Portable game room Increases the physical stats of the protagonist's PersonasThe same goes for Agility and Magic: the former allows you to move before your enemies in battle.

In the case of Magic, it increases the power of a Persona's magic attacks while decreasing the power of enemy magic attacks. Since players can change their Personas, playing Punching Bag, Mole Whackers, and Lucky Fortune Persona 3 Portable Arcade games should be a regular occurrence. This way, players can max out their respective starting Personas and swap them out to see which one has the best stats for battle. The main thing that needs to be taken into consideration here, however, is the game's time limit.

Where to Play Arcade Games in Persona 3 Portable

How to Move in the Paulownia Mall Hunting Parade for Maximum Profit

THE Person 3 arcade “Game Panic” (called “Game Parade” in the re-release) is located on the right side of Paulownia Mall. This section of the game is on a island north of Gekkoukan High School, which is where players go to school. The mall has several locations, many of which are essential for obtaining weapons and other items for battle. Unlike other activities, Game Parade is accessible during the day and evening.

Spending time playing Person 3 arcade games do not require players to complete a separate mini-game, but they do cost money. The prices (especially Horror House's 3,000 yen price tag) can be high at the start of the game, but as you progress, they won't make much of a difference. The arcade also has a crane game outside, which offers prizes such as a Jack Frost doll or a Ganesha bank. It only costs 200 yen and doesn't consume any game time, although the results are completely random. Obtaining certain prizes is also essential to completing some of Elizabeth's requests.

Since each of the arcade games in Person 3 is tied to certain days of the week, it is essential to plan when to play each to maximize your stats. Playing matches earn up to three points for the indicated statistic. Since Quiz Game, Print Club, and Horror House affect a player's Academics, Charm, and Courage, respectively, players will want to prioritize them based on which Social Stat needs a boost. The former is a particularly good way to get those hard-to-earn Academic points, which are essential for starting the Temperance, Sun, and Empress Social Links.

Since social stats and the Persona Compendium are carried over to New Game Plus, the first set of games will be more useful in a first playthrough. In the meantime, the Person 3 Arcade games that affect Persona stats will be most useful during the late game and later playthroughs, when players are looking to max out their most powerful Personas. Again, it's worth keeping a few favorites around to beef up their stats to the max and see which ones work best against Person 3the most tenacious enemies.

Which social statistics to focus on first

Strategy for early game progression in Persona 3 Portable

When starting a new game of Persona 3 PortablePlayers should prioritize social stats that are directly tied to Social Link advancement, as these will unlock additional story content and gameplay benefits. The three social stats to focus on first are Academics, Charm, and Courage. Here's a breakdown of each and their associated Social Links. By focusing on these three social stats first, you can unlock more Social Links early on and maximize your character's potential in social interactions and battle scenarios. This will allow you to build Stronger bonds with your teammates and unlock powerful Personas as the game progresses.

Academics

Studies are particularly crucial because they are required to pass school exams and unlock certain social bonds, including Empress (Mitsuru Kirijo), Temperance (Bebe) and Sun (Akinari Kamiki). To increase Academics, players should play the Quiz Game in the arcade frequently, available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Also, studying in the library, answering questions correctly in class, and attending night school are other effective ways to increase this stat.

Charm

Charm is another essential stat, especially for progressing through specific social links such as Lovers (Yukari Takeba) and Moon (Shinjiro Aragaki for the female protagonist). To increase Charm, players should focus on playing Print Club at the arcade on Mondays and Thursdays. Other activities that help increase Charm include visiting the mall café, answering questions correctly in class, and taking on certain part-time jobs.

Courage

Finally, courage is essential to face more challenging social bonds, such as Hermit (Maya), and is required for some dialogue options that can affect relationships. To increase Courage, players should regularly visit the arcade to play Horror House on Tuesdays and Fridays. Watching horror movies at the theater, eating special foods, and visiting the nurse's office are other ways to increase this stat.

By focusing on Academics, Charm, and Courage early in the game, players can unlock more Social Links and maximize their character's potential in social interactions and battle scenarios. This will eventually create stronger bonds with teammates and unlock powerful Personas as the game progresses.