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

Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has been newly added to the Nintendo Switch Online library. Originally launched on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, it reached Western audiences in 2005. This game follows the journey of twin siblings, Eirika and Ephraim, who are the heirs to Renais' throne. They embark on a quest to liberate their kingdom and unravel the mystery behind their former ally's betrayal.

This might be the first chance for many to experience Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. Released two decades ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem title to be released outside Japan and the last one developed for the Game Boy Advance. We rated it highly back in 2005 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 your gaming experience on the Nintendo Switch. It provides access to online multiplayer, allowing you to play with or against friends, as well as a catalog of classic games from various Nintendo consoles spanning four decades, including the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon the new GameCube libraries. A free seven-day trial is available for new users to explore the service.

Regarding Nintendo's eagerly awaited new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 was initially set to launch on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, due to import tariffs imposed by President Trump that affected financial markets, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date in the United States has been delayed. Pre-orders are now scheduled to begin on April 24, with the price remaining at $449.99.

You can register your interest with Nintendo for pre-orders of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its accessories via the My Nintendo Store. Notifications will be sent by email on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be 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.