
Before the 2024 reboot, there were three different variations of the game “Persona 3” available: the original version released for PS2, an enhanced edition called “P3: FES”, and a PSP-exclusive version titled “Persona 3 Portable”. Due to technical constraints of its platform, the handheld game reduced the exploration outside of Tartarus dungeons to more story-driven environments like visual novels. To compensate for this simplified gameplay, it introduced a new playable character named Kotone, who is currently the only female protagonist in the series. Kotone had unique social connections and modified cutscenes, but her story generally adhered to the main plot of the original game. Although she gained popularity among fans, Kotone was left out of the 2024 “Persona 3 Reload”, which opted to focus on remaking the initial game instead of combining elements from all three versions into a single package. This decision received significant backlash from some enthusiasts.