"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 launched on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, it didn't reach Western audiences until 2005. This game follows the 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. Not only did it launch 20 years ago, but it was also just the second Fire Emblem title to be released internationally and the last to be crafted for the GBA.

We found Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones to be excellent, giving it a score of 8.5/10 back in 2005. We 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-based online gaming service for the Nintendo Switch platform. It offers online multiplayer capabilities for playing with or against friends, as well as access to a library of classic Nintendo games spanning four decades. This includes titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and, with the upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the new GameCube libraries. A free seven-day trial is also available.

Speaking of Nintendo's eagerly awaited new console: Nintendo Switch 2 was originally set to launch on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date has been delayed in the United States due to import tariffs introduced by President Trump, causing fluctuations in the financial markets. As a result, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will now open on April 24, maintaining the price at $449.99.

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