Fire Emblem Game from 20 Years Ago 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 the Game Boy Advance in 2004, it made its way to Western audiences in 2005. This standalone story follows the twin heirs to the throne of Renais, Eirika and Ephraim, as they strive to liberate their kingdom 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 title to be released outside Japan and the last to be developed for the GBA. We highly rated Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, 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-based service for the Nintendo Switch, offering online multiplayer capabilities, the chance to play with or against friends, and access to a vast library 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. A free seven-day trial is also available for new users.

Speaking of Nintendo's 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-orders were delayed in the United States due to import tariffs enacted by President Trump, which caused financial market volatility. Pre-orders are now scheduled to begin on April 24, maintaining the same $449.99 price.

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 sent out 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.