20-Year-Old Fire Emblem Game Now Available on Nintendo Switch Online

Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has just been added to the Nintendo Switch Online library, offering fans and newcomers alike a chance to dive into this classic. Originally launched on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, it didn't reach Western audiences until 2005. The game follows the journey of twin heirs, Eirika and Ephraim, as they strive to liberate their kingdom of Renais and unravel the mystery behind a former ally's betrayal.

For many, this marks the first opportunity to experience Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. Released two decades ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem title to venture outside Japan and the last to grace the GBA platform. In our 2005 review, we gave it a solid 8.5/10, noting: "Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones is to the original Fire Emblem just as Advance Wars 2 was to the original Advance Wars. It's only a letdown in the sense that all this game really offers is an entirely different storyline on top of the pre-existing gameplay built for the GBA Fire Emblem released in 2003."

Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service that enhances your gaming experience on the Nintendo Switch. It provides online multiplayer capabilities, letting you connect with friends for competitive or cooperative play. Subscribers also gain access to a rich library of classic Nintendo games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon, with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the new GameCube libraries. A free seven-day trial is available for those interested in trying out the service.

Speaking of the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, initially set to release on June 5, 2025, at a starting price of $449.99, its pre-order date faced delays in the United States due to import tariffs imposed by President Trump, causing financial market instability. Now, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are scheduled to go live on April 24, maintaining the original price of $449.99.

You can register your interest with Nintendo to receive notifications about pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 and its accessories via the My Nintendo Store. Invitations to purchase will be distributed by email on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to users who have a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership and have logged at least 50 gameplay hours as of April 2, 2025.