With the release of Persona 3 Reload on Nintendo Switch 2, Atlus has brought a beloved classic into the hands of a new generation. In an interview with P Studio Director Kazuhisa Wada and Switch 2 Version Director Yoshihiro Komori during Tokyo Game Show 2025, they discussed their journey porting the game to new hardware, the emotional response from longtime fans, and how the experience is shaping the future of Persona titles.

Persona 3 Reload Interview

Optimizing for Switch 2: Balancing TV and Handheld Modes

Porting Persona 3 Reload to the Nintendo Switch 2 was no small feat. The team began development a full year before the hardware was officially released, relying on guesswork and early specs to guide their process. “We tried our best to accommodate both the TV mode and the handheld mode,” Wada explained. “We didn’t add any new features, not necessarily, but we did a lot of optimization to make it run smoothly on both modes.”

One of the biggest hurdles for Persona 3 Reload was managing graphical fidelity across the Switch 2’s dual modes. “The difficulty… is that you can switch between the TV mode and the handheld mode instantaneously. There’s no load states involved, so we have to use the same assets between both modes.” This meant avoiding compromises that would degrade the experience in either mode. “We decided to make the graphics switch between the two states and optimized it for both modes. That was the most difficult part about porting.”

To maintain a consistent 30FPS at 1080p for Persona 3 Reload across all modes, the team made subtle adjustments. “We tried to erase unseen things like background voices to save data. Sometimes we tweaked the lighting, using simpler lighting rather than active environments. We tried not to touch the main character assets and saved data from different areas.”

Fan Reception and Emotional Milestones

The response to Persona 3 Reload has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from longtime fans. “We are definitely happy and very proud of our achievements,” the team shared. “We made the right remake that has been approved, I feel like.”

One of the most touching pieces of feedback came from original players who are now parents. “Some of them said they’ve been playing with their children as well, and that stuck with us. That was very memorable.” These intergenerational connections highlight the timeless themes of Persona 3. “The parents, after 20 years, playing Reload, they kind of connect with the deeper themes… it has been very nice to have them.”

Art, Music, and Staying True to the Original

Modernizing Persona 3 while preserving its soul was a guiding principle for the team. “We rebuilt the whole music tracks,” Wada said. “We definitely kept the original riffs in mind and tried our best not to disrupt the atmosphere.” Sound designer Kitajou-san emphasized blending new compositions with familiar phrases from the original soundtrack to maintain emotional continuity.

Art direction for Persona 3 Reload followed a similar philosophy. “We believe that the UI design takes a big part in the whole atmosphere,” Wada explained. “We kept the theme color of blue from the original game.” Art director Kumagai-san added that the UI was inspired by a sub-theme called “The Sea of Hearts,” representing the protagonist’s subconscious. “We imagined going into the deeper consciousness of the protagonist.”

The team also drew contrasts with previous titles. “Persona 5 uses a lot of warm colors, where we use a lot of cold colors. There’s a lot of movement and stillness as well. We tried to make these contrasts.”

Creative Breakthroughs and Character Highlights

One major breakthrough for Persona 3 Reload came after the Switch 2’s release. “We didn’t have a good idea of how it was going to perform,” Wada admitted. “But after seeing the various titles released, we became confident that our graphics are up to par.”

When asked about personal favorites, Wada shared, “My favorite character is the protagonist… I like diving into his subconscious. I personally like Junpei because of his undeveloped nature and how he’s going to grow up. If I’m tired, I’d date Fuka. If I’m in a good state, I’d date Elizabeth.”

Looking Ahead: Legacy and Future Development

Reflecting on the legacy of Persona 3, the team expressed deep gratitude. “Back in 2006, we didn’t expect Persona 3 to be this long-lived,” they said. “We’re very grateful for the fans and proud to have worked on it.”

A final message from the team discussed more about how the game is a tribute from the team: “I feel that there’s a lot of passion or soul put into the details by the developers. The characters are more than themselves, and the menu UI is more like experiencing the product as part of the soul itself.”

“There are people involved in the old Persona 3 and those who have newly joined the Reload version. All these people were moved by the original Persona 3. They wanted to convey the same feeling to modern users.”

With continued support from fans across Southeast Asia and beyond, the team at Atlus is energized for the future. “We definitely like to continue development for much more exciting games to come… please stick with us. We’re looking forward to the future.”

Persona 3 Reload is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 23, 2025.