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, this game didn't make its way to the West until 2005. It introduces players to the gripping story of twin heirs, Eirika and Ephraim, as they strive to liberate their kingdom of Renais and unravel the mystery behind a former ally's betrayal.
For many, this marks the first chance to experience The Sacred Stones. Launched 20 years ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem title to be released outside Japan and the last to be developed for the GBA. In our 2005 review, we gave Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones an impressive 8.5/10, 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 capabilities, allowing players to compete or cooperate with friends, and access to a catalog of classic Nintendo games from 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 available for newcomers.
Speaking of the highly anticipated new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 was originally slated to launch on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders were delayed in the United States due to import tariffs enacted by President Trump, which caused fluctuations in the financial markets. The new pre-order date for Nintendo Switch 2 is set for 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 sent out 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 as of April 2, 2025.
