"20-Year-Old Fire Emblem Game Now on Nintendo Switch Online!"

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. This standalone story follows the twin heirs to the throne of Renais, Eirika and Ephraim, as they battle to liberate their kingdom and unravel the mystery behind their former ally's betrayal.

For many, this marks the first chance to experience The Sacred Stones. Not only did it debut 20 years ago, but it was also just the second Fire Emblem game to be released outside Japan and the last to be developed for the GBA.

We thought Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones was excellent, giving it an 8.5/10 back in 2005. We noted: "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. It offers online multiplayer, allowing you to compete or collaborate with friends, and a rich library of classic Nintendo games from across four decades, including titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and (soon to be available with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2) the new GameCube libraries. A free seven-day trial is also available for new subscribers.

Speaking of Nintendo's eagerly awaited new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 was initially slated to launch on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, due to delays in the United States following import tariffs introduced by President Trump, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date has been pushed back. Pre-orders will now open on April 24, with the price remaining at $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 gameplay hours by April 2, 2025.