With the Nintendo Switch 2 officially revealed, speculation is now rampant regarding launch and post-launch titles for the new console. The reveal trailer indicated that a new Mario Kart game is coming, but that will likely not be the only thing coming alongside the Switch's successor. One Nintendo series would be perfect for the Switch 2's launch: Fire Emblem, which has not had a new title since early 2023. This gap in Fire Emblem titles could very well indicate that one is planned for a surprise announcement as a Switch 2 launch title - or at least a title coming to the Switch 2 sometime in 2025.
Fire Emblem: Every Anna In The Series
This red-haired young woman has a lengthy history with the Fire Emblem series, including several different incarnations across nearly every game.
Fire Emblem News Was Scarce In 2024
Since its inception, and particularly following the surprise success of Fire Emblem Awakening in 2012, the series has had a fairly consistent release schedule. It does not release a new title every year, but one every two to three years is generally standard. However, there has been no new title since Fire Emblem Engage, which debuted in January 2023 - and, more than that, there has been no news at all of what might be upcoming.
A new title announced in 2025 - possibly during the Switch 2 Direct on April 2 - and then released shortly thereafter would not be out of character for Fire Emblem. Engage was announced in September 2022 before releasing in January 2023, and the series once had a stunning run of four games in four years: The Binding Blade in 2002, The Blazing Blade in 2003, The Sacred Stones in 2004, and Path of Radiance in 2005. It is definitely possible that Nintendo is keeping a Fire Emblem title hidden for release alongside or shortly after the Switch 2.
Fire Emblem Could Get A Remake Or An Original Game
If a Fire Emblem launch title is indeed coming for the Switch 2, the question becomes whether it is a remake of an earlier title, or a completely new game. Previously, the first three Fire Emblem titles received remakes, with Echoes: Shadows of Valentia being particularly well-received. Some Fire Emblem fans have been hoping for a remake of the "Jugdral duology," Genealogy of the Holy War and Thracia 776, which never saw an official Western release. Another title ripe for the remaking is The Binding Blade, which also failed to release in the West - although its prequel, The Blazing Blade, did and was many players' first exposure to the series.
However, a brand-new Fire Emblem game is also possible. It has been two years since Fire Emblem Engage, so it's time for something new. As nothing has been revealed about the potential setting or story of such a game, fans can only speculate, although Fire Emblem Three Houses' route split and multiple stories were quite popular, so a similar strategy might work well for a potential upcoming title.
Whether remake or original, a Fire Emblem game would make a great addition to the Switch 2's launch lineup. As a tactical RPG, it would stand out among possible entries from other Nintendo franchises, such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Kirby, or Metroid. It could also be a great opportunity to sell themed Joy-Cons or other accessories, especially if it features factions with clearly associated colors, like the countries of Fire Emblem Fates or the titular houses of Fire Emblem Three Houses. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the gap between releases, lack of news, and likelihood of multiple major first-party launch titles for the Nintendo Switch 2 make a Fire Emblem game an excellent contender for the role.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
- Released
- January 20, 2023
- ESRB
- T for Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Intelligent Systems
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Unity
- Franchise
- Fire Emblem
WHERE TO PLAY
The Divine Dragon awakens: In a war against the Fell Dragon, four kingdoms worked together with heroes from other worlds to seal away this great evil. One-thousand years later, this seal has weakened and the Fell Dragon is about to reawaken. As a Divine Dragon, use rich strategies and robust customization to meet your destiny—to collect 12 Emblem Rings and bring peace back to the Continent of Elyos
Team up with iconic heroes from past Fire Emblem games: Summon valiant heroes like Marth and Celica with the power of Emblem Rings and add their power to yours in this brand-new Fire Emblem story.
Engage in a new style of combat: Aside from merging appearances, Engaging lets you use weapons, skills, and more from these legends during battle. The turn-based, tactical battle is back with the brand-new Engage system to add more layers to the strategy.
Welcome to Somniel: Explore the paradise of Somniel, your base of operations, located in the sky above the continent of Elyos. It hosts a variety of facilities and activities for the player to prepare for upcoming battles and strengthen bonds.
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, JRPG
- How Long To Beat
- 40 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
