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

Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has now been added to the Nintendo Switch Online library, giving 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 reclaim their kingdom of Renais and unravel the betrayal of a former ally.

For many, this marks the first opportunity to experience The Sacred Stones. Released two decades ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem game to be released outside of Japan and the last to be developed for the GBA. In our 2005 review, we praised Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones with a score of 8.5/10, noting that "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 the Nintendo Switch gaming experience. It offers online multiplayer features for competitive and cooperative play, and a rich catalog of classic Nintendo games from systems like NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, the new GameCube libraries. New users can explore the service through a free seven-day trial.

Speaking of the eagerly awaited Nintendo Switch 2, initially set for release on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99, its pre-order date faced a delay in the United States due to import tariffs imposed by President Trump, which impacted financial markets. As a result, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are now scheduled to begin on April 24, maintaining the same price of $449.99.

You can register your interest with Nintendo for pre-orders of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its accessories through the My Nintendo Store. Notifications will be sent out via email on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those who have a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership and have logged at least 50 gameplay hours by April 2, 2025.