Surprise! This 20-Year-Old Fire Emblem Game Has Just Stealth-Dropped onto 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 released on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, and reaching Western audiences in 2005, this game follows the gripping story of twin heirs to the throne of Renais, Eirika and Ephraim. Their journey is one of liberation and uncovering the mystery behind a former ally's betrayal.

For many, this marks the first opportunity to experience Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. Released 20 years ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem title to be available outside Japan and the last to be developed for the GBA. Back in 2005, we at IGN awarded 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 the Nintendo Switch experience. It offers online multiplayer functionality, allowing players to connect and compete with friends, alongside a rich catalog of classic games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon, with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the new GameCube libraries. New users can also try it out with a free seven-day trial.

Speaking of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, its release was initially planned for June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, due to delays caused by import tariffs enacted by President Trump, pre-orders in the United States have been postponed. Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will now go live on April 24, maintaining the same price of $449.99.

Interested in securing a Nintendo Switch 2? You can register your interest with Nintendo on the My Nintendo Store. Invitations to purchase will be sent via email on a first-come, first-served basis, giving priority to users with a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership and at least 50 gameplay hours as of April 2, 2025.