Personally my pick is definitely going too be the persona 2 duology but since I can only pick one I suppose ill pick persona 2 eternal punishment since it was the one I played. I have heard persona 2 innocent sin has a better story but since I cannot pass judgement ill only say both. The graphics however may be clunky and bad but if your going for the a story this game was the overall concept of a interesting and captivating story it was far more darker than persona 4 and 3 could throw at you, death also seemed too be a recurring theme as well although you can argue the murders in persona 4 can follow along a dark edgy theme as well as the shadow selves but persona 1 2 and 4 have them (spoiler territory you have been warned) while in persona 4 they wanted acceptance the shadows in persona 2 were dark blunt and edgy they did not want acceptance oh no they were out for blood.

I'm going to go with Persona 4. Persona 4: Golden is better, but it isn't on the list. I mean, there wasn't a whole slew of improvements, but the graphics were better, and there were a few added elements to the game. The other games were great, but in terms of overall quality and value, I have to give it to Persona 4. The games simply improved as they went along, and I also really enjoy the visual novel aspect. 

sop281 :   I will agree that persona 4 has great graphics overall with a outdone story although not so much for the opening of golden(the theme was too happy for the events that follow the game) but what most people suffer when people create threads likes this is the fact that most people will say their favorite game would be the most current and the most popular, especially if it were their first game of the franchise. That would be like trying too jump from persona 4 too 1 and that's nearly impossible as its a totally different layout with the first person dungeon crawl while persona 2 was the first of the series too include a top down view. Persona 1 and 2 however did lead up too the current social links system as communications with demons in order too obtain tarot cards were simplified too talk too this person on this day. Lets hope Persona 5 sparks the series with a much needed twist too keep it fresh.

kingrob79 : Persona 4 was actually a very happy game and the characters are very funny and light. Persona 3 is the dark game. Way more dark than P4. I love P4 though but I highly recommended both P4 and P3.

mourinhosgum : Have you even played the older games? They are far more darker than persona 3 and 4 combined plus who doesn't love tatsuya punching Phily in the face. Honestly that is one of the best moments of the series plus the protagonist isn't stagnant as Yu`s although both of their person's are super hard core.

just so you know that persona 4 golden is the same game as persona 4 its just for the vita? with from what i saw a extra character and a few new things. most persona ports too the portables usually have some extra things

My favorite is persona 4 as it is the most advanced and the most fun to play. Hey have come a really long way with this series, and I wish for them to keep going,

kingrob79 : P4G is so much more than just a new character. It has 2 new social links, another dungeon,about 3 months of extra game, new costumes, A new S.O.S feature and a lot more.

mourinhosgum : but in a nutshell its still persona 4 all the persona portables have extra addons for new content so when associating with persona 4 its still persona 4 even with the g added on too it..

kingrob79 : Please tell me what P3P added besides controllable party members, female main character and a couple extra social links while taking away the 3d environments and the answer

mourinhosgum : one the answer is part of a totally different game a directors cut if you will of persona 3 which is part of totally nonsensical grinding. What I'm trying too say is you'll get a better experience appreciating persona 4 with the additional content its like a refresher now lets get serious though persona 4 is finally coming too psn that's been long awaited by myself too relive a bit of childhood.

kingrob79 : Personally for me, my favorite persona game is persona 4. Persona 4 is te most advanced and had the best graphics in the game in my opinion. I still liked the other persona games, but they don't compare close to persona 4.