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 arrived in the West in 2005. This standalone story follows twin heirs to the throne of Renais, Eirika and Ephraim, as they battle to liberate their kingdom and unravel the mystery of their former ally's betrayal.
For many, this might be their first chance to experience The Sacred Stones. Released 20 years ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem game to reach Western audiences and the last to be crafted for the GBA.
Back in 2005, we at IGN gave Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones a solid 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 service for the Nintendo Switch, offering online multiplayer, a collection of classic Nintendo games from various eras, including NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and the upcoming new GameCube libraries with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. A free seven-day trial is also available.
Speaking of the much-anticipated new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 was originally set to launch on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, due to delays caused by import tariffs enacted by President Trump, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date in the United States has been pushed back. Pre-orders will now 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 via the My Nintendo Store. Invitations to purchase will be distributed via email on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those with a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership and at least 50 hours of gameplay recorded by April 2, 2025.
