http://exophase.com/ps3/official-persona-3-fes-heading-stateside-3409.htm

Yep - that countdown timer on the Atlus site was counting down to Persona 3: FES after all. Atlus sent an email to all members of the Atlus Faithful today, announcing that FES is indeed coming stateside. The US FES release will be released as a stand-alone game, meaning you will not need the original Persona 3 (which is becoming increasingly hard to find) to play.

Persona 3: FES promises 120-plus hours of gameplay and features extra costumes, a new weapon synthesis system, twenty-three more Persona, and a “hard” difficulty setting. The title will retail at an MSRP of $29.99 on April 22 for the PlayStation 2.

--------

I'm really excited. I've heard great things about Persona 3, but I never picked it up.

Huh... wasn't that the expansion that wasn't thought to be released because it had a giant penis monster or something.

Great news though. 

 O_o    120+ hours? thats how long i played raibow six vegas online...... since it's only 30 bucks imma get it.

Oh Atlus how I love thee....let me count the ways

1. you brought Persona 3 FES stateside

2. you probably have other redeeming qualities....like perhaps the ability to juggle.

This means I'll have to get my lazy ass back into Persona and finish that sucker so I can enjoy this all the more....or would I need to start from the beginning with this game?

Thank you Atlus.
You are now officially my favourite game releated company.
Does the happy dance.
rRuns around the room shouting my excitement.
Ok I'm done.

 Edit: Sorry, not done yet. Forget to yell "It's only 30 buck. yes!!!111one"

Thank you Atlus. Thank god for you. This game is only 30 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank god for Atlus, Nintendo, and PS2.

well it seems ps2 will still get a good game

Yep, Persona 3 is rare, almost paid 70 bucks for it the other day.

Yeah, I was just looking it up at ebay. It's selling at a high price. I'm going to buy more than 1 copy.

Official PR

ATLUS PULLS THE TRIGGER ON PERSONA 3 FES® FOR NORTH AMERICA
Revisit the Dark Hour this April 22.

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA — FEBRUARY 25, 2008 — Atlus U.S.A., Inc., the vanguard of role-playing games, today announced Persona 3 FES for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the highly-anticipated definitive cut of 2007’s RPG of the Year, Persona 3. With two games on one disc–a brand new chapter featuring 30+ hours of gameplay and an enhanced version of the original game loaded with new content and features–Persona 3 FES is the comprehensive version of one of the most acclaimed RPGs of 2007.

Persona 3 FES is a stand-alone product and does not require the original Persona 3 to play. However, players with save files from the original game will be able to transfer some of their saved data, such as their Persona compendium, to be used in the enhanced main story. The new story is accessible from the start and does not require players to finish the original game beforehand.

Persona 3 FES is scheduled for release on April 22nd for an MSRP of $29.99.

For more on Persona 3 FES, please visit the official website: http://www.atlus.com/persona3

About Persona 3: FES
Lead a group of high school students with a dangerous extracurricular activity: exploring the mysterious tower Tartarus and fighting the sinister Shadows during the Dark Hour, a frozen span of time imperceptible to all but a select few. However, the end of their quest is no longer the end of the story-witness for the first time the aftermath of the final battle and the students' struggle to find meaning in their new lives.

Key Features:
• Acclaimed by critics and fans – Experience the definitive cut of 2007’s award-winning Persona 3, which garnered tons of critical acclaim and the adulation of a devoted fanbase.
• More than just an expansion – Persona 3 FES contains an enhanced version of the original game, loaded with new Personas and cutscenes, a weapon synthesis system, additional quests and events, a hard difficulty mode, and the ability to change your characters' clothes.
• 30 additional hours of gameplay – Take the role of Aigis in a brand new Persona 3 episode that plays as a full game with an original story, extra cutscenes and objectives, and seventeen new music tracks.
• Incredible value – The enhanced version of the acclaimed Persona 3 game and the brand new episode make for 120-plus hours of gameplay, packaged together at a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Persona 3 FES has been rated M for Mature with Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, and Violence by the ESRB.
###

About Atlus U.S.A., Inc.
Located in Irvine, California and founded in 1991, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. is a publisher of compelling video games for a variety of platforms, including Nintendo DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Wii™, Xbox 360®, and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The Atlus library of critically acclaimed video games includes Odin Sphere, Trauma Center series, Magna Carta: Tears of Blood, and the award-winning Shin Megami Tensei series. For more information, visit http://www.atlus.com.

©2008 ATLUS. Licensed to and published by ATLUS U.S.A., Inc. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment.