Worth the Import? Persona 5 Royal

What You’re Getting

Persona 5 Royal is the expanded, definitive version of Persona 5 — a game that won Game of the Year awards from multiple outlets and is widely considered one of the greatest JRPGs ever created. Royal adds a third semester of story, two new confidants, quality-of-life improvements, and rebalances the combat system.

The Nintendo Switch version launched in October 2022 and runs surprisingly well on the handheld hardware, making it the ideal way to experience this 100+ hour epic.

Price Comparison

Source	Price (USD)	Est. MYR	Notes
Play-Asia (Japan import)	$32.99	~RM 155	Physical cart, free shipping over $99
Local game stores (MY)	RM 189–219	RM 189–219	Official SEA distribution
Nintendo eShop (MY)	$49.99	~RM 235	Digital

Savings: RM 34–64 by importing the Japanese physical version.

Region & Language Support

Is it region-locked?

No. Like all Switch physical games, Persona 5 Royal will run on any Nintendo Switch regardless of where you bought the console.

What languages are on the cart?

The Japanese release includes English, Japanese, Korean, and Traditional Chinese. Voice acting is Japanese only (there is no English dub on any Switch version globally — this is not an import limitation).

Important note: If you prefer English voice acting, you’ll need to play on PS4/PS5 or PC. The Switch version uses Japanese voices with English subtitles worldwide.

What about DLC?

Persona 5 Royal on Switch includes all DLC from the PS4 Royal release on the cartridge — no additional purchase needed. The Japanese cart has the same DLC content as any other region’s release.

Physical vs Digital

Factor	Japanese Physical Import	Malaysian Digital
Price	Cheaper	More expensive
Resale value	Can resell	Locked to account
Storage	Runs from cart	Requires ~14GB download
Box art	Japanese cover art	None
Wait time	7–14 days shipping	Instant

Performance on Switch

Persona 5 Royal runs at a stable 30fps on both Switch and Switch OLED. Load times are reasonable (2–4 seconds between areas). The turn-based combat and static anime-style cutscenes don’t push the hardware, so there are no performance concerns.

The art style — bold reds, sharp UI elements, stylish menus — looks fantastic on the Switch’s screen. This is genuinely one of the best-looking games on the handheld.

The Verdict

Worth It. At ~RM 155 imported vs RM 189+ locally, you’re saving enough to buy a second indie game with the difference. The Japanese physical edition is fully English-compatible, includes all DLC on-cart, and the game itself is a masterpiece that will consume 100+ hours of your life in the best possible way.

Buy it if: You love JRPGs, visual novels, or games with deep social simulation mechanics. If you enjoyed Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Triangle Strategy, or any mainline Final Fantasy, this is essential.

Skip it if: You require English voice acting (Switch version is Japanese voices only) or you dislike turn-based combat and heavy story-driven games.

Where to Buy

Check Price on Play-Asia →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play the original Persona 5 first?

No. Royal is the complete, expanded version of Persona 5. Playing Royal gives you the full story plus extra content. There is no reason to play the original first.

How long is the game?

The main story takes 80–100 hours. Completing all side content (confidants, Mementos, optional bosses) pushes it to 120–150 hours. This is a massive game.

Is the Switch version inferior to PS4/PS5?

Graphically, yes — the PS4 version runs at higher resolution and has sharper textures. However, the Switch version’s portability is a genuine game-changer for a game this long. Being able to play in bed, on the train, or during lunch breaks makes the Switch version the best way to experience Royal for many players.