I've only played P1 and then P3P so it's not like I'm an expert in the franchise or whatever, but I don't think I've ever played a game with the same energy as Persona 1.
It feels like something I'd see as a kid and think the people who played it were all really cool.
The graphics. The character designs. The soundtrack, and even the gameplay...it all feels so stylish. It was a truly unique experience for me.
That said the encounter rate drove me up the fucking wall, and I kept getting lost because I have no sense of direction...still, it was all worth it for Maki.