During the Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, it was officially announced that Persona 3 Reload will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 23, 2025. This launch comes considerably after the game`s initial release in February 2024 across PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Series X|S, and PC. Pre-orders are set to become available on the eShop later today.
In Persona 3 Reload, players assume the role of a high school student transferring to Gekkoukan High. They soon uncover the mysterious “Dark Hour,” a hidden period between one day and the next when the world transforms into a distorted, shadow-infested realm, and only a select few remain conscious. The protagonist joins SEES (Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad), a group of students who wield powerful beings called Personas to combat Shadows and unravel the secrets behind the Dark Hour, Tartarus (a massive tower that emerges only during this time), and an impending catastrophe linked to death itself.
Rumors of a Switch port have circulated for some time, although Atlus initially opted against releasing it for the original Nintendo Switch. Developers had previously acknowledged that “the idea is there” if the team chose to pursue it, but it was never truly planned for the initial hardware due to “performance concerns.”
However, these performance issues are not a concern for the Switch 2. Persona 3 Reload was developed using Unreal Engine 4, which presented challenges when attempting to port it to the first Switch. The Switch 2, with its updated hardware specifications including 4K support, enhanced CPU/GPU performance, and increased memory bandwidth, appears to be much better suited for the game`s overall visual fidelity.
The Reload version also features additional scenes not present in the original game or its previous re-releases. These include new party interactions, expanded dialogue, and fully voiced cutscenes. Furthermore, every Social Link route is now completely voiced. Even exploring Tartarus introduces extra dialogue among party members, depending on who accompanies the protagonist into the dungeon at the time.
Following its initial launch last year, Persona 3 Reload quickly became Atlus`s fastest-selling game, achieving a million copies sold within its first week.
Major Announcements from Nintendo Direct, July 2025
