Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Saros review
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Delta Force giveaway
Don't miss these
Upcoming Switch 2 games 2026: four images featuring The DuskBloods, Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
Nintendo Switch 2 Upcoming Switch 2 games: New Nintendo Switch 2 games for 2026 and beyond
White Neo Geo AES+ console with wireless controller adapter and memory card inserted with Metal Slug cartridge on top.
Retro The Neo Geo AES is back, but the retro console remake is effectively the real deal reborn with HDMI
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era key art showing a knight charging across a field, with a dragon swooping in the distance
Strategy Games Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is leveraging player feedback to deliver the strategy RPG I've longed for since 2005
The Blood of Dawnwalker screenshot showing a half-human, half-vampire hybrid holding a silver sword
RPGs Upcoming RPGs for 2026 and beyond
GamesRadar+'s upcoming Switch games for 2026 banner image shows a big woman looming over another character in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Kanan Yuki in Digimon Story Time Stranger, Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid Collection Vol 2, and a trainer in a battle in Pokemon Champions
Action Games Upcoming Switch games for 2026 and beyond
Four pictures of games from our selection of the best Switch 2 games list, showing Donkey Kong, Cloud from Final Fantasy, Mario and Luigi, and three starter Pokemon.
Games The 20 best Switch 2 games to play in 2026
Mother 3 protagonist Lucas with a snake
RPGs EarthBound creator says Mother 3 is still a cutting-edge RPG, even as fans continue to wait for an official translation
A screenshot of the upcoming Switch 2 game, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave with a character using a purple energy blast
Games Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave – Everything we know about the strategy game's Switch 2 debut
A character portrait in Xenosaga: Pied Piper
JRPGs Xenosaga shows signs of life for the first time in 20 years as spin-off JRPG gets modern port
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
Strategy Games Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era set to finally release into early access later this month
Sky: Children of the Light screenshot of three figures playing different instruments
Games The best free Switch games available right now in 2026
Hand holding Zelda Game and Watch handheld with gameplay featuring Link in white outfit in backdrop.
Retro I have 100 different ways to play The Legend of Zelda, but I'm still using the Game and Watch ahead of the 40th anniversary
The best NES games: a screenshot of collection of NES games and a Nintendo console.
Games The 10 best NES games of all time
Cheap Nintendo Switch game sales - get great deals this Black Friday
Nintendo Switch Cheap Nintendo Switch game sales - all the latest deals in 2026
Diablo 4
Diablo Diablo 4 has been rated for Nintendo Switch in Indonesia, suggesting the ARPG could go handheld just like Diablo 3
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Strategy Games

The original Fire Emblem is coming to Switch for the series' 30th anniversary

News
By Austin Wood published 22 October 2020

Like other recent Nintendo games, it will only be available for a limited time

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter
YouTube YouTube
Watch On

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & The Blade of Light, the game that kicked off the strategy RPG franchise in 1990, is coming to the West for the first time this December.

Nintendo announced a surprise Switch localization of the original Fire Emblem today. Shadow Dragon & The Blade of Light will be available on the Nintendo eShop for $5.99 starting December 4. However, like Super Mario Bros. 35 and the Super Mario 3D All-Stars trilogy, it will leave the shop after March 31, 2021, purportedly for the end of the franchise's 30th anniversary. 

The Switch version of the game will be the first official chance for Western fans to try the game, and from what we've seen it's a fairly faithful port of Marth's 8-bit journey. That said, it does have a few modern niceties. You can rewind to previous turns if you mess up, for example, and you'll be able to fast forward through friendly and enemy turns if you want to speed things up. Like many other retro Switch ports, Shadow Dragon & The Blade of Light will also support save states, letting you create your own checkpoints. 

Article continues below
You may like
  • A screenshot of the upcoming Switch 2 game, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave with a character using a purple energy blast Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave – Everything we know about the strategy game's Switch 2 debut
  • Elden Ring screenshot showing Melina, a young woman with short copper-y hair, staring ahead as flames rise behind her Elden Ring's Switch 2 port still has no release date, but Amazon pre-orders are live, and oh, it's an $80 game-key card
  • Zoomed-in, cropped box art for Pokemon FireRed shows Charizard roaring. Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen get a surprise reveal for Nintendo Switch, and they'll be launching next week

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Fire Emblem collectors may be intrigued by the anniversary edition of the game, which will also launch on December 4. It comes with a replica game cartridge based on the Famicom, complete with box art, a cartridge sleeve, and a replica instruction booklet. The cartridge is paired with a Nintendo Power poster which will take you right back to the 1990s, a rather lovely art book, and a fancy 30-year anniversary box to house it all. At $49.99, the anniversary edition is much more expensive than the game itself, but it's loaded with Fire Emblem swag. 

For more retro Nintendo, check out the upcoming Super Mario Game & Watch collectible handheld. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch Platforms Nintendo
Austin Wood
Austin Wood
Social Links Navigation
Senior writer

Austin has been a game journalist for 12 years, having freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree. He's been with GamesRadar+ since 2019. They've yet to realize his position is a cover for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a lot of news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.

Read more
A screenshot of the upcoming Switch 2 game, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave with a character using a purple energy blast
Games Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave – Everything we know about the strategy game's Switch 2 debut
 
 
Elden Ring screenshot showing Melina, a young woman with short copper-y hair, staring ahead as flames rise behind her
Action RPGs Elden Ring's Switch 2 port still has no release date, but Amazon pre-orders are live, and oh, it's an $80 game-key card
 
 
Zoomed-in, cropped box art for Pokemon FireRed shows Charizard roaring.
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen get a surprise reveal for Nintendo Switch, and they'll be launching next week
 
 
GamesRadar+'s upcoming Switch games for 2026 banner image shows a big woman looming over another character in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Kanan Yuki in Digimon Story Time Stranger, Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid Collection Vol 2, and a trainer in a battle in Pokemon Champions
Action Games Upcoming Switch games for 2026 and beyond
 
 
Venusaur artwork
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are skipping Switch Online because Nintendo "thought it would be fun"
 
 
A blue-eyed man stares into the foreground, with 'Legendary Creature - Human Soldier' written beneath
Tabletop Gaming I regret to inform you that FF7 Rebirth features an exclusive MTG card by Tetsuya Nomura, so you'll have to buy it again
 
 
Latest in Strategy Games
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era key art showing a knight charging across a field, with a dragon swooping in the distance
Strategy Games Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era publisher celebrates 1.5 million Steam wishlists
 
 
Lafiur, one of the Heroes who can interact with the Heroes Olden Era Mearea Shrine.
Strategy Games Should you touch the Heroes Olden Era Mearea Shrine?
 
 
Two minotaurs ready their weapons on a battlefield, from the Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era opening cinematic
Strategy Games Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era early access review: "The legendary strategy RPG series finally reclaims its throne"
 
 
The Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era Stargazer smokes a pipe
Strategy Games All Heroes Olden Era Stargazer riddle answers
 
 
Eight of the Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era Artefacts.
Strategy Games The best Heroes Olden Era artefacts
 
 
A close up on Valentina, one of the characters in Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era
Strategy Games 11 things I wish I knew before playing Heroes Olden Era
 
 
Latest in News
Fallout
Fallout Fallout co-creator hopes to "make one more game" before his second retirement from RPG development
 
 
Motorslice heroine making peace sign
Action Games Indie dev discovers nuclear fusion of Steam marketing, flies up wishlists thanks to anime girl
 
 
Diablo 4 character screams in front of gray sky
Diablo Diablo 4 needs "aspirational content," says director, but don't discredit casual gameplay
 
 
Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Mike in Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 showrunner says the upcoming series won't just be a "Monster of the Week" adventure
 
 
Marathon runners
FPS Games Bungie makes Marathon's Cryo Archive less brutal, blocking spawn rush strats and giving free kits
 
 
Crimson Desert
RPGs The Witcher 3 director says Crimson Desert isn't "story heavy," but it still gets "RPG things" right
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Royce Johnson as Brett Mahoney is Daredevil
    1
    Who is Brett Mahoney in Daredevil: Born Again season 2?
  2. 2
    Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 7 lets down two of its most interesting characters
  3. 3
    Fallout co-creator hopes to "make one more game" before his second retirement from RPG development
  4. 4
    Indie dev discovers nuclear fusion of Steam marketing, flies up wishlists thanks to anime girl
  5. 5
    Stranger Things: Tales From '85 showrunner says the upcoming series won't just be a "Monster of the Week" adventure

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...