Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has now been added to the Nintendo Switch Online library, offering a fresh opportunity for gamers to dive into this classic. Originally launched on the Game Boy Advance in 2004 and reaching Western audiences in 2005, this game follows the compelling story of twin heirs, Eirika and Ephraim, as they battle to liberate their kingdom of Renais and unravel the mystery of their former ally's betrayal.
For many, this could be their first chance 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 one crafted for the GBA platform. Back in 2005, we hailed it with an impressive score of 8.5/10, stating: "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 gaming experience. It offers online multiplayer functionality for cooperative and competitive play with friends, and includes a vast selection of classic Nintendo titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon, the new GameCube libraries with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. New users can explore the service with a free seven-day trial.
Speaking of the much-awaited Nintendo Switch 2, initially slated for release on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99, its pre-order date faced delays in the United States due to import tariffs introduced by President Trump, causing financial market fluctuations. Now, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are set to begin later this week on April 24, maintaining the original price of $449.99.
Interested in securing a Nintendo Switch 2? You can register your interest with Nintendo to receive notifications about pre-orders for the console and its accessories through 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 hold a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership and have logged at least 50 gameplay hours by April 2, 2025.
