Fire Emblem Engage, the latest entry in Intelligent Systems' long-running tactical-RPG franchise, frequently looks back and celebrates its history. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the concept of Emblem Rings at the heart of its story. These 12 rings represent protagonists of mainline entries going back to 1990’sShadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, each of whom offers the character they pair with new skills that can be expanded throughParalogue missions based on oldFire Emblemmaps. This is but a taste of the series' history, and Nintendo Switch Online will soon offer the perfect opportunity to explore further.
TheFebruary 2023 Nintendo Directboth revealed and released Game Boy and Game Boy Advance (GBA) libraries through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. Accessing GBA games requires a more expensive Expansion Pack-tier subscription, but for many fans this (alongside the available N64 library) will be worthwhile for the six currently available titles includingThe Legend of Zelda: The Minish CapandMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.Fire Emblem: The Blazing Bladeis one of the confirmed “coming soon” additions, and it’s likely the remaining two GBA entries will follow-suit to give fans ofEngagea much deeper history lesson.
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Fire Emblem’s GBA Suite
ThreeFire Emblemgames released forNintendo’s GBA handheldin the time between the 1999 SNES entryThracia 776and its next console title, 2005’sPath of Radianceon GameCube.Fire Emblem: The Binding Bladewas a Japan-exclusive release in 2002, but its chief protagonist Roy and fellowFire Emblemlord Marth became worldwide names thanks toSuper Smash Bros. Melee. As a result, 2003’sThe Blazing Bladegot an international release (just calledFire Emblemabroad), followed byThe Sacred Stonesin 2004.
All the GBA entries are represented inEngagethrough Emblems Roy, Lyn, and Eirika - who comes paired with her brother Ephraim, collectively called the “Azure Twins.” The February 2023 Direct also announced further waves ofFire Emblem EngageDLC that includes Hector fromThe Blazing Bladeas a new Emblem Ring, representing two of that entry’s three lead characters.
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Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade and More Can Hit Nintendo Switch Online
OlderFire Emblemtitles have not been made available through Nintendo Switch Online thus far, despite NES and SNES libraries offering an opportunity to experience entries likeGenealogy of the Holy Warwith context for Emblem Sigurd. The originalShadow Dragon and the Blade of Lightdid get a 30th anniversary re-release on Switch, but unlikeSuper Mario 64its availability has not extended to Switch Online’s NES offerings. With the impending shutdown of the Wii U and 3DS eShops, many moreFire Emblemgames will become unavailable on modern hardware.
That’s why the upcoming release ofThe Blazing Bladethrough Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is worth watching.Fire Emblem Engageplayers who took an interest in Lyn and Hector will be able to experience their stories (and that of Roy’s father Eliwood) for themselves, meeting some of the other characters available throughEngage’s Bond Ring melding system. Assuming this points to Intelligent Systems' growing openness toward classic releases,The Binding BladeandSacred Stoneswould also fit Switch Online’s GBA library.
The subscription service doesn’t just have stop at Game BoyFire Emblemreleases.Fire Emblem Engage’s historical lens primes players to go back and experience everything from the NES onward, getting context for every Emblem from Marth all the way through Byleth. The precedent set byFire Emblem: The Blazing Bladein Switch Online should lead to all of its NES, SNES, and GBA entries hitting the service, and ifGameCube or Wii support is addedthe Tellius games with Ike and Micaiah can follow. It’s unclear when or if any of this support will be added, but subscribing in time to play the first drop might encourage Nintendo to hit the others sooner rather than later.
Fire Emblem Engageis available now on Nintendo Switch.
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