Several pages from this week’s Famitsu have appeared on the web a day early, bringing with them exciting news concerning Atlus’s Persona series.  Two titles were detailed — one of which was recently hinted — the other, a total surprise.  Let’s get right into it, then.

Persona 4: The Golden for PS Vita (more screens at Famitsu)

The updated title doesn’t make a lick of sense (Golden Theater?) but hey, I can live with an enhanced port of Persona 4 for the Vita.  Here are the changes to the Vita version noted in Famitsu:

• Will feature a new opening movie with new music by Shoji Meguro (who else?)
• Compared to the PS2 version, there is approximately 1.5 times the voice acting
• Players may use the Vita’s online functionality to request aid when in trouble in a dungeon
• Like Persona 3: FES or P3P, this update will also feature new scenarios

Atlus has stated that they have listened to those who played the original and will be implementing changes that those players requested.  We can expect more information on this soon.  The game is scheduled to be released next summer in Japan.

The biggest known addition at this time is a new character named Marie:

I am not sure whether Marie is an S-Link character or one who will join the cast on their dungeon exploits. All we can do now is marvel at her character design and wait for more info.

Naturally, I am excited for this.  Persona 4 was a fantastic game (I would go so far to say I prefer it to Persona 3).  An updated version on a new system is a classy way to execute a port, and for that I applaud Atlus.  As it stands, this title will make its way onto my growing list of PS Vita must-haves.  I would like to tell you that I am being a discerning consumer — saving my money until I know the full extent of the game’s updates… but that would just be lying to both of us.

Next up is the move from Atlus that no one foresaw, except maybe whoever drew this:

Persona 4 The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena (more at Famitsu)

That’s right: a fighting game featuring characters from Persona.  I am honestly shocked this wasn’t even so much as a rumor until now.  Atlus kept this secret very well — and so did Arc System Works, who will be helping when it comes to development.  You may be familiar with Arc System Works if you are a fan of BlazBlue and/or Guilty Gear — both excellent 2D fighters in their own right.  It has been confirmed that the same team who worked on BlazBlue will be working on this project as well.

The game will be released initially for arcade in Japan next spring, then trickle onto both the PS3 and Xbox 360 for the summer.  Confirmed characters at this time include:

• Narukami Yuu (Persona 4‘s protagonist) with Izanagai
• Chie Satonaka with Tomoe
• Yousuke Hanamura with Jirae
• Aegis with Athena

Character can be seen attacking both with their personae and with weapons.  The protagonist wields a katana.

Here are some basic shots (click here for the whole thing):

The game’s story takes place 2 months after the events of Persona 4.  Apparently Kuma (or Teddie) sponsors or organizes the “P-1 Grand Prix” television show.  I would assume this all occurs in the mayonaka TV or midnight channel.  How or why he gets them to agree is beyond me, but I generally don’t look too hard for a story from my fighting games.  Here is Kuma’s updated appearance:

If this weren’t enough, Atlus has confirmed that the Persona team (formally working on Catherine) is now being organized for Persona 5.  This isn’t really worth getting too excited for — I wouldn’t count on anything concerning Persona 5 for a while.

So, there you have it.  Two exciting new titles on the horizon from Atlus.  I want them both.  I want them yesterday.  I will even settle for tomorrow if I absolutely must.

But in all seriousness, this is some impressive ingenuity from a company who has proven that even during tough times for the industry, they can continue to innovate and do it right.