Fire Emblem has been around a long time — 33 years, to be exact. The original game released in 1990, and was one of the foundational games in the strategy RPG genre. The series has changed a lot since through its 17 mainline Fire Emblem titles (three of which being remakes) and five spin-offs. We’ll only be focusing on mainline entries and their remakes here.
We’re going to walk you through the history of Fire Emblem, starting from the 1990 release of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light and ending with this year’s Fire Emblem: Engage, giving you a general overview of each game and what platforms you can find them on.
Many of these games are Japan-only releases and expensive even secondhand. Those that released digitally on the Wii U and 3DS eShops will soon be unavailable, as the eShop for that generation of Nintendo hardware will be closing on March 23, 2023. You’ll have to pick them up before they’re lost forever.
Nintendo remade a few of the Japanese-exclusive Fire Emblem games, but most have never been re-released in any form. These do not have official English translations, and obtaining their cartridges is not a cheap effort.
With all that out of the way, let’s get down to it.
How to Play the Fire Emblem Games in Order
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (1990)
The original Fire Emblem game, Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, released in 1990 for the Famicom. Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light introduces Marth, Prince of the Kingdom of Altea, and the continent of Archanea. The story follows Marth’s quest to reclaim his throne from the evil sorcerer Gharnef.
Marth and Archanea are major parts of the series and often come back in later entries, so this isn’t a bad place to start. Nintendo ported Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light to the Nintendo Switch in 2022 (though it was only available for a limited time), so it’s one of the only original games in the series playable in the West. That said, it feels very much like a 33-year-old Famicom game.
- Original Platform: Nintendo Famicom
- Available on: Nintendo Switch
Image via Nintendo
Fire Emblem Gaiden (1992)
A side story sequel to Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, Gaiden is set on the continent of Valentia, a continent torn apart by political war. It places in control of two armies, one commanded by Princess Cecilia and another by her childhood friend Alm, and introduced an overworld for players to navigate. It was the last game in the series for the Super Famicom never released outside of Japan.
- Original Platform: Nintendo Famicom
- Available on: N/A
Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (1994)
The third game in the series, and the first on the Super Famicom, is divided into two parts. The first is a remake of Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, and the second is a sequel to the original game. It was never released outside of Japan.
- Original Platform: Nintendo Super Famicom
- Available on: N/A
Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War (1996)
Widely considered one of the best Fire Emblem games, Genealogy of the Holy War takes place on the continent of Jugdral over two generations as our heroes try to defeat a cult bent on resurrecting an evil dragon.
The first follows Sigurd, the Grannvalian prince, while the second follows his son, Seliph. Genealogy of the Holy War was the first game in the series to allow characters to marry and have children, something that would become a feature in later games, but was also never released outside of Japan.
- Original Platform: Nintendo Super Famicom
- Available on: N/A
Image via Nintendo
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (1999)
The third and final game to be released for the Super Famicom, Thracia 776 also marked the start of a drought of Fire Emblem games on home consoles until 2005.
Also set on the continent of Jugdral, Thracia 776 is set in the gap between the first and second parts of Genealogy of the Holy War as main protagonist Leif rallies a private army to defeat the Grannvale Empire and restore the kingdom of Thracia. Like (almost) every other game up until this point, it was never released outside of Japan.
- Original Platform: Nintendo Super Famicom
- Available on: N/A
Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade (2002)
The first Fire Emblem to appear on the Game Boy Advance, The Binding Blade introduced Roy, a young nobleman from Phrae who leads an army against King Zephiel and the encroaching kingdom of Bern.
Roy would famously appear alongside Marth in Super Smash Bros. Melee, which would lead to later games (finally!) getting released in the West but this game itself was a Japan-exclusive release.
- Original Platform: Nintendo GameBoy Advance
- Available on: N/A
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade (2003)
The Blazing Blade, known simply as Fire Emblem outside of Japan, was a prequel to The Binding Blade and the first Fire Emblem to release in the West.
The Blazing Blade introduced fans to Lyn, Eliwood, and Hector, three young lords who band together to save the kingdom of Phrae and the continent of Elibe. It was re-released on the Wii U Virtual Console in 2014.
- Original Platform: Nintendo GameBoy Advance
- Available on: Wii U eShop
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (2004/2005)
Unlike many previous games in the series, The Sacred Stones is set in its own continuity. It follows twin siblings Eirika and Ephraim, princess and prince of the small kingdom of Renais, as they attempt to stop the invading Grado Empire.
The game features two separate campaigns, as Eirika and Ephraim take separates paths. Units could also take branching paths when promoted instead of locking them into pre-determined roles based on their starting class. The Sacred Stones released to widespread critical acclaim and is widely considered to be one of the best games in the series.
- Original Platform: Nintendo GameBoy Advance
- Available on: Nintendo 3DS (Ambassador Games), Wii U eShop
Image via Nintendo
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005)
Path of Radiance was the first game to release on the GameCube, and unlike most games in the series, follows Ike and a band of mercenaries instead of a royal heir.
Path of Radiance‘s story is darker and more mature than other entries in the series, exploring topics like racism and genocide. Combine that with some of the best tactical combat the series has ever produced, and it’s easy to see why Path of Radiance is regarded as peak Fire Emblem. Unfortunately, it has never been re-released and retail copies often go for more than $200 secondhand.
- Original Platform: Nintendo GameCube
- Available on: N/A
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007)
A direct sequel to Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn marked the first and only time the series would appear on the Wii, and the last time the series would appear on home consoles for more than a decade.
While the story was made so that players would be able to follow along without having played Path of Radiance, those who did could import their save data to increase characters’ stats and allowing the player to view support conversations from the previous game. Like its predecessor, Radiant Dawn was never re-released. Secondhand copies regularly sell for more than $100.
- Original Platform: Nintendo Wii
- Available on: N/A
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (2008)
A remake of the original game, Shadow Dragon was the first game in the series to release on the DS. Shadow Dragon added many of series staples, like the weapon triangle, which weren’t in the original release while faithfully retelling Marth’s story — and letting Western gamers experience it for the first time. It was later re-released on the Wii U eShop.
- Original Platform: Nintendo DS
- Available on: Wii U eShop
Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem (2010)
A remake of the Mystery of the Emblem, New Mystery of the Emblem opted to focus on the original content introduced in Mystery of the Emblem while adding content from Stellaview title BS Fire Emblem and new features like player Avatars. It was never released outside of Japan.
- Original Platform: Nintendo DS
- Available on: N/A
Image via Nintendo
Fire Emblem Awakening (2012)
Intended to be the series’ swan song, Awakening ended up saving it. Awakening was more accessible than ever, making Robin a major part of the story, allowing players to disable permadeath, and allowing characters to marry and have children. Awakening is regarded as one of the best 3DS games — and Fire Emblem titles — ever. It has never been re-released.
- Available on: Nintendo 3DS, 3DS eShop
Image via Nintendo
Fire Emblem Fates (2015)
Another 3DS title, Fates is unique among Fire Emblem games because it was split into three different releases, each with its own different story: Birthright, which was meant for newer players; Conquest, which was meant for experience fans; and Revelation, the “true” third chapter.
All three versions were released physically, but Revelation‘s was very limited and it’s extremely expensive as a result. Once the 3DS eShop shuts down, it will be all but impossible to obtain, so if you want it, get it now.
- Available on: Nintendo 3DS, 3DS eShop
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (2017)
A remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden and the last Fire Emblem game to release on handhelds, Shadows of Valentia retools Gaiden, adding modern elements to the original game while preserving the original emphasis on dungeon crawling and finally bringing the game to Western audiences.
- Available on: Nintendo 3DS, 3DS eShop
Image via Nintendo
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019)
The first game to release on a console in more than a decade and the first on Switch, Three Houses emphasized the social aspects of Fire Emblem while simplifying the combat for newcomers.
You play Byleth, a former mercenary-turned-professor at the Garreg Mach Monastery charged with leading a class of students from one of three rival nations now at peace. There’s also a time skip later on, and branching paths that get pretty crazy depending on which class you choose. It was a different direction for Fire Emblem, but its success speaks for itself.
- Available on: Nintendo Switch, Switch eShop
Image via Nintendo
Fire Emblem: Engage (2023)
The new one! If Three Houses was a major series change-up, Engage is a return to the series’ more complex map design. It also celebrates the series’ history by allowing fans to team up with heroes from past games by equipping Emblem Rings that allow them to pass on their skills.
Players take control of Alear, the Divine Dragon who has just awakened after a thousand-year nap, and build an army to defeat Sombron, the Fell Dragon. Like Three Houses, it was released on Nintendo Switch.
- Available on: Nintendo Switch, Switch eShop
Still here? Like I said, there are a lot of Fire Emblem games out there. But now you know what they are and where (if anywhere) you can get them. Perhaps more importantly, you know how to play them in order. Good luck, and happy strategizing.
Featured Image via Nintendo
