For many, myself included, their first introduction to Fire Emblem was in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Marth became a firm favourite of many but there was no way to play the Fire Emblem that brought him into the world for people in the West. Not unless they knew how to read Japanese.
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light released back in 1990 on the NES. It released in Japan and that was unfortunately it. Fear not though, because soon gamers will be able to play the game in all its retro glory.
On 4th December Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light will release on the Nintendo Switch. It will however only be available for a limited time. Meaning if you want to play it you’ll have to be quick! You can read the full press release below.
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light Press Release
For the past 30 years, the Fire Emblem series has captured the attention of players with its strategic and tactical gameplay, intriguing stories and striking characters. Now, the original 8-bit game, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, which follows the adventures of Prince Marth and launched a decades-spanning franchise, will be available outside Japan for the first time. On 4th December, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light launches for the Nintendo Switch family of systems, available to purchase on Nintendo eShop for a limited time.
While players across Europe were first introduced to Marth as a fighter in the Super Smash Bros. series, the story of this bold and courageous prince actually begins in Japan’s first entry in the Fire Emblem franchise, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light. The game’s new release for Nintendo Switch features its first English language localisation, bringing to life the tactical RPG classic for a new generation of players. This release will also include features like rewind, fast forward and save states, which allow burgeoning tacticians to approach the challenge at their own pace.
Throughout Marth’s perilous journey, players can shape their armies to execute a range of strategies by carefully selecting from dozens of characters with unique attributes that can turn the tide of every battlefield skirmish. Will Marth be able to acquire the sacred Falchion sword and obtain the mystical Fire Emblem on his epic expedition to restore peace to the Kingdom of Archanea?
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light on Nintendo Switch launches on 4th December and will be available on Nintendo eShop until the end of the franchise’s 30th anniversary on 31st March 2021. Relive the original NES adventure with new features like rewind, fast forward and save states and discover the origins of Marth in its first English-language localisation.
Featured Image Credit: Nintendo