Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade Now Available on Nintendo Switch Online

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

Originally released on Game Boy Advance in 2004, The Sacred Stones made its Western debut in 2005. This standalone adventure follows twin heirs to the throne of Renais, Eirika and Ephraim, as they battle to save their kingdom and uncover the truth behind their former ally’s betrayal.

For many, this marks the first chance to experience The Sacred Stones, as it launched two decades ago and was only the second Fire Emblem title to reach international audiences. At the time, it also marked the final game developed for the GBA.

We gave Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones high praise back in 2005, scoring it 8.5/10 and noting, "Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones is to the original Fire Emblem what Advance Wars 2 was to the original Advance Wars. Its only drawback is that it simply builds upon the existing GBA gameplay mechanics introduced in 2003, offering a fresh storyline instead of reinventing the wheel."

*Nintendo Switch Online* is a subscription-based service offering online multiplayer capabilities, along with a vast collection of classic Nintendo games from across four decades. Titles span platforms like NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and, with the upcoming launch of the *Nintendo Switch 2*, even more retro favorites such as the *GameCube*. A free seven-day trial is available for newcomers.

Speaking of Nintendo’s eagerly awaited next console: the Nintendo Switch 2 was initially set to launch on June 5, 2025, priced at $449.99. However, due to import tariffs imposed by President Trump, the pre-order date was delayed in the U.S. Pre-orders are now scheduled to go live on April 24, maintaining the original price point of $449.99.

Currently, you can register your interest with Nintendo through My Nintendo Store to receive notifications regarding pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 and related accessories. Purchases will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to users holding a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership and logging at least 50 gameplay hours as of April 2, 2025.