Surprise! This 20-Year-Old Fire Emblem Game Has Just Stealth-Dropped onto Nintendo Switch Online

Surprise! Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones has just been added to the Nintendo Switch Online library.

Although originally released on Game Boy Advance way back in 2004, The Sacred Stones didn't come to the West until 2005. It tells the standalone tale of twin heirs to the throne of Renais, Eirika and Ephraim, who fight to free their kingdom and uncover the secret behind their former ally's treachery.

For some, this may be the first opportunity to play The Sacred Stones — not only did it release a full 20 years ago, but at the time it was only the second Fire Emblem game to release outside Japan, and the final to be developed for GBA.

We thought Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones was great, awarding it 8.5/10 way back in 2005, saying: "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 gaming platform. Memberships include online functionality, allowing you to compete or cooperate with friends, as well as a collection of classic Nintendo games spanning four decades, including titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and (with the upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch 2) the new GameCube libraries. A free seven-day trial is also available.

Talking of Nintendo's highly anticipated new console: Nintendo Switch 2 was supposed to arrive on June 5, 2025, with prices starting at $449.99, but the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date was delayed in the United States after import tariffs enacted by President Trump sent financial markets spiraling. Consequently, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will now go live later this week on April 24, with the price still fixed at $449.99.

You can currently register your interest with Nintendo to be notified about pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 and accessories from My Nintendo Store. Invitations to purchase will be sent via email on a first-come, first-served basis, although they will prioritize users with a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership and at least 50 gameplay hours as of April 2, 2025.

Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.