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

Exciting news for fans of classic RPGs! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has now been added to the Nintendo Switch Online library, bringing the beloved Game Boy Advance title to a new generation of gamers. Originally released on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, and reaching Western audiences in 2005, this game follows the epic journey of twin heirs, Eirika and Ephraim, as they strive 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 The Sacred Stones. Launched two decades ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem game to be released outside of Japan and the last to be developed for the GBA. Back in 2005, we at IGN gave it an impressive score of 8.5/10, praising it by saying: "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 gaming, allowing you to play with or against friends, and access to a vast collection of classic games from four decades, including titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and the soon-to-be-launched new GameCube libraries with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. New users can enjoy a free seven-day trial.

Speaking of the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, the release was initially slated for June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, due to import tariffs enacted by President Trump causing financial market fluctuations, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date in the United States has been delayed. Pre-orders will now commence on April 24, maintaining the original price of $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 through the My Nintendo Store. Invitations to purchase will be distributed 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.