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

Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has just been added to the Nintendo Switch Online library.

Originally released on Game Boy Advance in 2004, The Sacred Stones didn't reach the West until 2005. This game weaves a standalone narrative about the twin heirs to the throne of Renais, Eirika and Ephraim, who battle to liberate their kingdom and unravel the mystery of their former ally's betrayal.

For many, this marks the first chance to experience The Sacred Stones. Released 20 years ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem game to launch outside Japan and the last to be developed for the GBA.

We rated Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones highly, giving it an 8.5/10 back in 2005. Our review stated: "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 Nintendo Switch experience. It offers online multiplayer capabilities for gaming with friends, and a rich catalog of classic Nintendo 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 try it out with a free seven-day trial.

Speaking of the much-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 delays caused by import tariffs implemented by President Trump, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date in the United States has been postponed. Pre-orders will now open on April 24, maintaining the same price of $449.99.

You can register your interest with Nintendo to receive notifications about pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 and its accessories through the My Nintendo Store. Invitations to purchase will be distributed via email on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those who have a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership and have logged at least 50 hours of gameplay by April 2, 2025.