Nintendo Switch Online recruits a new classic Fire Emblem title.
Nintendo has announced more retro games to be available to play for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers at no extra cost starting May 26th. While the lineup update won’t be the same across regions, users with access to the Japanese Super Famicom app will soon be able to play Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War on Nintendo Switch.
Check out some official gameplay footage of Genealogy of the Holy War on Nintendo Switch in a video montage with other titles here.
Sigurd initiating combat against a foe in the opening act of Genealogy of the Holy War.
Originally released only in Japan for the Super Famicom in 1996, Genealogy of the Holy War tells an epic tale opening with lead hero Sigurd of House Chalphy overcoming battles with brothers in arms, following up into an age pitting kin against kin. Signature gameplay to this title includes the tried-and-true tactical roleplaying evolved from its predecessors, warfare across vast, grand-scale maps, and tying the knot between allies to customize the traits of their future children.
An official demonstration of Genealogy of the Holy War‘s inheritance system from Nintendo’s Classified Information video series, showcasing how the characters Ayra (top, left) and Chulainn (top, right) impact the parameters of their son Scáthach (bottom).
Though Genealogy of the Holy War has yet to see a modernized reimagining in the same vein as Shadow Dragon or Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, the original Super Famicom game has seen rereleases in the past via Nintendo’s Virtual Console lineup on Wii, New Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U in Japan, thus persisting in its availability to players new and old over the years. Characters who originally appeared in Genealogy of the Holy War have also regularly taken part in updates to the Cipher trading card game and Heroes mobile game, further exposing the game to audiences including abroad. Fans may also remember Genealogy of the Holy War‘s representation in the bonus content of Awakening.
Fans have paid their respects to the beloved classic’s anniversary this month on social media, including veteran Fire Emblem series artist, Rika Suzuki, depicting Sigurd and his son, Seliph.
2021 marks the 25th anniversary of Genealogy of the Holy War‘s initial release, and Intelligent Systems has recently commemorated it by updating the Fire Emblem series homepage, Fire Emblem World, to include a roster of its characters to browse. It can be said that the Nintendo Switch Online rerelease is another timely chance to discover the familiar faces of the game or experience it all over again.
Fire Emblem continues expanding its presence on Nintendo Switch, and still has room to grow further.
Genealogy of the Holy War will join other legacy Fire Emblem titles already available to play right now via Nintendo Switch Online in Japan, Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light and Mystery of the Emblem; the former which notably also saw a special limited time release overseas, being localized in English for the first time since its initial launch over 30 years ago.
Given Nintendo’s history with legacy support, it can be reasonably speculated that Gaiden and Thracia 776 may also eventually be added to the Nintendo Switch catalog, but it gets trickier to determine anything else beyond that. It’s safe to say however that an official release of Genealogy of the Holy War for overseas audiences in any way (such as the highly-requested remake) would be thrilling news to hear. Whatever Fire Emblem may have in store in the future, we’ll be sure to keep you updated.
The original Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War game will be out for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers via the Japan-only Super Famicom app starting May 26th, following a procedural software update.
