Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance Lands on Switch Online
▼ Summary
– Nintendo has added the GameCube title *Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance* to the Switch 2’s GameCube Classics library for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.
– Originally released in 2005, the game is critically acclaimed for its dark story, mature themes, and for being the franchise’s first 3D entry.
– It is a turn-based tactical RPG featuring permadeath and follows the mercenary Ike on a mission to save the kingdom of Crimea.
– The GameCube Classics library includes other titles and offers higher resolution, with an optional wireless GameCube-style controller available.
– A new game, *Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave*, is expected later this year and may share continuity with *Fire Emblem: Three Houses*.
In a move sure to delight strategy fans, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, a beloved tactical RPG, has joined the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. This addition arrives just ahead of the anticipated launch of Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave later this year. Widely considered a high point for the series, this classic GameCube title is now accessible to all subscribers, expanding the growing library of enhanced retro games available on the platform.
Originally launching in 2005, the game broke new ground as the franchise’s first fully three-dimensional entry. It garnered praise for its complex, mature narrative and rich world-building. The story unfolds on the continent of Tellius, where players lead Ike, a determined mercenary, and his band of allies. Their mission escalates from a simple princess rescue into a full-scale war to liberate the kingdom of Crimea from its aggressive neighbor, Daein.
At its core, the experience remains a challenging turn-based tactical role-playing game. It upholds the series’ signature permadeath mechanic, where any ally defeated in combat is lost permanently, adding a significant layer of strategic weight to every decision. The game’s legacy was cemented with a direct sequel, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, which continued the story on the Nintendo Wii in 2007.
The GameCube Classics collection has been steadily expanding, now featuring other iconic titles such as Super Mario Strikers, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and F-Zero GX. Each game in this lineup receives visual enhancements, including a higher resolution than the original releases. For players seeking a nostalgic feel, Nintendo also offers a dedicated wireless controller modeled after the classic GameCube design.
Looking forward, the Fire Emblem series continues with Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, expected to launch before the year ends. First revealed in late 2025, the initial trailer sparked speculation that its story may share a connection with the world of the popular Fire Emblem: Three Houses from 2019.
(Source: Gamespot)
