Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has been newly added to the Nintendo Switch Online library. Originally launched on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, it reached Western audiences in 2005. The game follows the riveting journey of twin heirs, Eirika and Ephraim, as they battle to liberate their kingdom of Renais and unravel the mystery of their former ally's betrayal.
For many, this marks the first chance to experience The Sacred Stones. Released 20 years ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem title to venture outside Japan and the last to be crafted for the GBA.
We rated Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones highly, giving it an 8.5/10 back in 2005. Our review praised it, stating: "Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones is to the original Fire Emblem what Advance Wars 2 was to the original Advance Wars. It's only a letdown in that it simply offers a fresh narrative atop the existing gameplay framework established by the GBA Fire Emblem released in 2003."
Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription-based service that enhances your gaming experience on the Nintendo Switch. It includes online multiplayer capabilities for playing with or against friends, and a treasure trove 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. Plus, there's a free seven-day trial available.Speaking of the much-awaited new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 was initially set to debut on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, due to delays caused by import tariffs introduced by President Trump, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date has been postponed. Pre-orders will now commence 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 through the My Nintendo Store. Notifications will be sent 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 logged by April 2, 2025.