"20-Year-Old Fire Emblem Game Sneakily Added to Nintendo Switch Online"

Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has 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 made its way to the West in 2005. The game follows the compelling narrative of twin heirs, Eirika and Ephraim, as they battle to liberate their kingdom of Renais and unravel the betrayal by a former ally.

This marks a significant moment for many, as The Sacred Stones was only the second Fire Emblem title to be released outside Japan and the last developed for the GBA. It's been 20 years since its initial release, and now, thanks to Nintendo Switch Online, it's accessible to a whole new audience. Back in 2005, we gave Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones an impressive 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-based service that enhances your Nintendo Switch experience with online multiplayer, a rich catalog of classic games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon, with the Nintendo Switch 2, the new GameCube libraries. New users can enjoy a free seven-day trial to test the waters.

Speaking of the eagerly awaited Nintendo Switch 2, originally slated 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. Fortunately, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are now set to commence on April 24, maintaining the price at $449.99.

Interested in securing your Nintendo Switch 2? You can register your interest with Nintendo to receive notifications about pre-orders for the console and its accessories via the My Nintendo Store. Invitations to purchase will be dispatched via 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 by April 2, 2025.