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 didn't reach Western audiences until 2005. The game follows the compelling journey of twin heirs, Eirika and Ephraim, as they battle 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 20 years ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem game to be released outside Japan and the last to be developed for the GBA. We gave Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones an impressive 8.5/10 back in 2005, noting, "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 functionality and a growing library of classic Nintendo games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon, the new GameCube libraries with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. A free seven-day trial is available for new users.
Speaking of the eagerly awaited new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 was initially set to launch on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders were delayed in the U.S. due to import tariffs implemented by President Trump, which caused financial market instability. Pre-orders are now scheduled to begin on April 24, maintaining the original 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 distributed 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.
