Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has now joined the Nintendo Switch Online library. Originally launched on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, it arrived in the West in 2005. This game narrates the standalone story of twin heirs, Eirika and Ephraim, who 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. Released two decades ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem title to reach audiences outside Japan and the last to be crafted for the GBA. We found Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones to be impressive, giving it a 8.5/10 back in 2005. Our review highlighted, "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 with online play and a vast collection of classic games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon, the new GameCube libraries with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. New subscribers can enjoy a free seven-day trial.Speaking of the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, originally slated for release on June 5, 2025, at $449.99, its pre-order date in the U.S. was delayed due to import tariffs enacted by President Trump, which shook financial markets. Now, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will commence on April 24, maintaining the same price of $449.99.
You can register your interest with Nintendo to receive notifications about pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 and its accessories through the My Nintendo Store. Invitations to purchase will be dispatched 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 hours of gameplay as of April 2, 2025.
