Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has been newly added to the Nintendo Switch Online library. Originally released on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, and reaching Western audiences in 2005, this game weaves the standalone story of twin heirs, Eirika and Ephraim, as they battle to liberate their kingdom of Renais and unravel the mystery behind their former ally's betrayal.
For many, this marks the first chance to experience Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. Not only did it launch two decades ago, but it was also only the second Fire Emblem title released outside Japan, and the last to be developed for the GBA.
Back in 2005, we gave Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones a strong score of 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 gaming experience. It offers online multiplayer capabilities for playing with or against friends, alongside a rich catalog of classic Nintendo games from four decades, including titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, the new GameCube libraries. You can also try it out with a free seven-day trial.
Speaking of the eagerly awaited new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 was originally set to launch on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order dates were delayed in the United States due to import tariffs introduced by President Trump, causing financial market fluctuations. As a result, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will now open later this week on April 24, maintaining the original price of $449.99.
You can register your interest with Nintendo to get notified about pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 and its accessories via the My Nintendo Store. Invitations to purchase will be distributed through 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.
