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, this gem didn't reach Western audiences until 2005. The 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 Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. Launched two decades ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem title to venture outside Japan and the last to be crafted for the GBA. In our 2005 review, we praised it highly, awarding it an 8.5/10, and 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, allowing you to connect with friends for competitive or cooperative play. Subscribers also gain access to a rich library of classic Nintendo 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 available for those interested in exploring the service.
Speaking of the much-anticipated new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 was supposed to arrive on June 5, 2025, priced at $449.99. However, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders were delayed in the United States due to import tariffs introduced by President Trump, which caused financial market instability. As a result, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will now go live later this week on April 24, maintaining the original price of $449.99.
You can register your interest with Nintendo for pre-orders of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its accessories at My Nintendo Store. Notifications will be sent out 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 gameplay hours by April 2, 2025.
