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, and reaching the West in 2005, this game follows the standalone story of twin heirs to the throne of Renais, Eirika and Ephraim. They embark on a quest 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. Launched two decades ago, it was only the second Fire Emblem game to be released outside Japan and the last to be developed for the GBA. We rated Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones highly, giving it an 8.5/10 back in 2005, and 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 service that enhances your Nintendo Switch gaming experience. It offers online multiplayer functionality, enabling you to play with or against friends, and a rich catalog of classic Nintendo games from four decades, including titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon, the new GameCube libraries with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. A free seven-day trial is also available for new subscribers.

Speaking of the eagerly awaited new console, the Nintendo Switch 2 was originally slated for release on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, due to delays caused by import tariffs implemented by President Trump, which affected financial markets, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date has been postponed. Pre-orders are now set to begin 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 via the My Nintendo Store. Invitations to purchase will be sent out 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.