Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has been freshly added to the Nintendo Switch Online library. Originally launched on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, and making its way to Western audiences in 2005, this game follows the captivating journey of twin heirs, Eirika and Ephraim, as they battle to reclaim their kingdom of Renais and unravel the mystery of their former ally's betrayal.
This might be your first chance to experience The Sacred Stones, a game that not only marks its 20th anniversary this year but was also just the second Fire Emblem title to be released outside Japan and the last developed for the GBA. Back in 2005, we praised it with an 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 online gaming service for the Nintendo Switch platform. It offers online multiplayer capabilities, allowing you to play with or against friends, and access to a curated collection of classic Nintendo games from across four decades, including titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and, with the upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the new GameCube libraries. A free seven-day trial is also available for newcomers.Speaking of the much-awaited new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 was originally slated for a June 5, 2025 release, with a starting price of $449.99. However, due to delays in the United States caused by import tariffs introduced by President Trump, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date has been shifted. Pre-orders are now set to go live on April 24, with the price remaining at $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.
