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.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original release of Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, Nintendo has released two special versions of the game available right now for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers with access to the Famicom games library. Note that you will need to set your account to be able to download Japanese software.
The first special version, the Triangle Attack Version, starts the game in the middle of an existing playthrough, right as you’re about to trigger a Triangle Attack with Palla, Catria, and Est.
The second version, the Climax Version, puts you right at the start of the endgame chapter, where Marth must battle Medeus to save the day.
Relive the glory days of Fire Emblem with these special versions of the original game!
Fire Emblem fans who have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for a Japanese or Hong Kong region account have the opportunity to trial run Fire Emblem Warriors between 20th and 26th January 2020.
Here’s the Japanese trailer announcing the game trial.
Nintendo Hong Kong also shared an article with the same offer for their region.
Similar to the game trials for Mario Tennis Aces in the West and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker in Japan, fans can download the full game and play it within the specified dates. Afterwards, they must purchase the game if they wish to continue playing.
To qualify for the game trial, you must have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription active on a Japanese or Hong Kong region account. You can’t simply cheat by switching accounts (like for the Famicom apps).
That said, if you have a family plan with a spare slot, you could add a Japanese or Hong Kong region account to it. Alternatively, you could purchase a Nintendo Switch Online 7 day free trial for 100 Platinum Coins from the Japanese My Nintendo website (Nintendo states that this will work).
Once the game trial period is active, there will be a separate download link near the top of the game’s eShop product page (where the blue arrow is).
As a note from someone who has played both the Japanese and English versions of this game, the Japanese version does not have English language support unlike say Dynasty Warriors 9.
Additionally, between 20th January and 2nd February, both the game itself as well as the season pass (which contains all three DLC packs) will be discounted by 40%. This deal will only be available via the Japanese and Hong Kong eShops.
Each DLC pack comes with 3 history maps, 3 playable characters and several new weapon additions (including abilities and skills). As well as several new mission types sprinkled all over. Basically, there’s lots of contents for you to challenge.
To see a brief demonstration of the three DLC packs, please check these links:
Nintendo Switch owners with Japanese accounts should be able to access the game if they wish to try it out. Of course, a subscription to Nintendo’s Online Service is required (although, if it’s your first time, you can also apply for a 7-day trial). Switch games are not region locked.
Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light is the very first Fire Emblem game starring Marth, as he attempts to reclaim kingdom, honor, his heirloom–the Falchion–and rescue his sister.
It laid the foundation of many common themes, archetypes and traditions still present in the series to this very day. While rough and kind of clunky by today’s standards it still holds a significant place in the franchise’s history.
This will be the fourth time the game has been re-released, Japan received the game on October 20th 2009 for the Wii Virtual Console, August 1st 2012 on the 3DS and finally the Wii U in June 4th 2014.
It will be available on the Famicom service from March 13th 2019.
Nintendo Switch Online recruits a new classic Fire Emblem title.
