Fire Emblem News
December2015
News The Art of Fire Emblem: Awakening Releases in North America in Summer 2016
Another quality art book from Dark Horse
It's no exaggeration to say that Fire Emblem: Awakening was a major turning point for the series, both critically and commercially. Up till that release, Fire Emblem had been suffering from waning popularity and was figuratively on its last legs. Awakening was intended to be the swan song for the series...
Nintendo Life Weekly The Last Smash Bros. DLC Fighters, Super Mario Galaxy on Wii U eShop and More
Week & feeble
The final Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct caused a stir amongst the fans, but just in case you're not as hot on these things as you'd like we've once more produced a compendium of the biggest news of the past week coupled with all the releases and reviews you'd expect from Nintendo Life Weekly. This week we look at the last Smash...
News Masahiro Sakurai Talks About Fire Emblem Characters in Smash Bros.
It seems to be that he's a big fan of Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem has enjoyed something of a revival in the last few years. Fire Emblem: Awakening was really the big turning point, and it's no exaggeration to say its largescale success literally saved the series. This was somewhat reflected most recently in Smash 4, where Fire Emblem graduated to having...
News Hitoshi Yamagami Talks a Bit About Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem's Conception
Still a bit of a head scratcher
Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem is a fascinating upcoming release that aims to cross over both of the popular franchises, though it does appear to be more Shin Megami Tensei than it does Fire Emblem. The game has been confirmed to be coming west, though there's still barely any information surrounding the...
November2015
Random Fire Emblem 0 Will Be Getting Some Cards Based on Genei Ibun Roku #FE
A different kind of strategy game
Though we're still waiting for it to launch here in the West, Japan has already received the pleasure of experiencing Fire Emblem Fates, the latest in Nintendo's punishing SRPG series. In order to boost the release's popularity (and doubtless to make some lovely merchandising profit), Nintendo also launched a...
October2015
News Genei Ibun Roku #FE Directors Reveal More Details About the Game
Let's hope that unwieldy title gets an English translation soon
As many of you are aware, there's an upcoming crossover RPG for the Wii U between the Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem series, which we'll just tentatively call Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem to save you the headache of its Japanese title. Though we do know it's coming West, very...
September2015
News Pre-Orders Open for the Cute But Deadly Marth Nendoroid
All smiles and swords
Nendoroids are too cute to ignore yet pricey enough to be tricky to collect, neat figures that can also match your mood with various stances and expressions. We've covered the Marth Nendoroid in the past, and GoodSmile has now opened pre-orders for the figure; its official store is selling reservations until 28th October for...
News Xenoblade Chronicles and Fire Emblem Characters Join Project X Zone 2 Cast
This just got serious...
Project X Zone 2 may have slipped into an early 2016 release in the West, but there's exciting news that should help build more interest among Nintendo fans. Characters from Nintendo-exclusive games are joining the diverse cast which already encompasses Bandai Namco, SEGA and Capcom IPs. The two games / franchises being...
Review Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Wii U eShop / DS)
Emerging from the shadows
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is a Nintendo DS remake of the first Fire Emblem game (originally released in 1990 for Famicom in Japan) that's now available to download in Virtual Console form for Wii U. The series staple of strategic turn-based gameplay along with the perma-death possibility for characters would form the...
News Genei Ibun Roku #FE Japanese Release Date And Bundles Revealed
Swimsuit sets included, because why not?
Nintendo has revealed that Genei Ibun Roku #FE - also known as Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem - will launch in Japan on December 26th. As well as offering up this all-important piece of info, three bundles have been announced for the game. The bog-standard regular edition comes with a set of costumes as a...
August2015
News Masahiro Sakurai Tackles Criticisms of Bonus Features in Games
"If it bothers you so much, then don’t use that feature"
Masahiro Sakurai shares regular articles in Famitsu magazine - on some occasions he discusses Smash Bros. features and updates or his personal plans, but occasionally he's happy to simply give his views on a topic that's clearly on his mind. This week he considers criticisms some level at...
July2015
News Awesome New Nendoroids are Unveiled at Wonder Festival 2015
Kirby, Marth, Mega Man and an all new Link
Summer Wonder Festival 2015 is currently taking place in Chiba, Japan - showcasing the many up and coming toys, figures and models that will leave our wallets looking a little desolate, and boy are there plenty of Nintendo figures on the way that will do just that. We can't get enough of Nendoroids, and...
News Fire Emblem Fates Birthright Edition Is The Popular Choice In Japan
Which path would you choose?
We know Fire Emblem Fates will be released in Europe and North America sometime in 2016, but that doesn't stop us from enjoying the action in Japan, where the game is already available. Fire Emblem: If - as it is known in Japan – has sold incredibly well, with the Special Edition Bundle being so much in demand that a...
June2015
Nintendo Life Weekly F-Zero Wii U, Octolings, and Same-Sex Marriage
Go week at the knees
Being the veritable saints that we are at Nintendo Life we've once again thrown together a way for you to take in all the biggest Nintendo news of the week, as well as all the reviews and releases you'd expect. In the video this week we talk about playable Octolings in Splatoon, a cancelled F-Zero title for Wii U, same-sex...
News Fire Emblem Fates Will Allow Same-Sex Marriages
Nintendo wants its games to "reflect the diversity" of its audience
Nintendo has confirmed that Fire Emblem Fates will be the first title in the long-running strategy series to feature same-sex marriages. In Fire Emblem: Awakening, it was possible to marry characters you had formed a strong bond with, but it was only possible to wed members of the...
News Fresh Details Emerge For Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem
Music is my radar
Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem - AKA Genei Ibun Roku #FE - was shown off in a brief and almost incomprehensible video during Nintendo's E3 Digital Event which left fans none the wiser as to what kind of experience this crossover will provide. Thankfully, GameSpot has been talking to the team behind the game to get a better idea...
News The New 3DS Fire Emblem Will Be Called Fire Emblem Fates In The West
Final title announced during E3 event
Nintendo has revealed the final Western title for the new 3DS Fire Emblem during its Digital Event at E3. Fire Emblem Fates is the final name - in Japan, it is known as Fire Emblem If. Both titles reflect the fact that this is one of the most open-ended instalments in the series yet, offering two different...
News Official Nintendo UK Store Flogs Rare amiibo in Bundles
That's the spirit...
Oh amiibo, what went wrong? Once a concept that brought happiness and a fulfilment of child-like dreams, it's become a frustrating, irritating endeavour where you can get Link anywhere, but some figures are over-priced, out of stock and rarer than an original idea in a Call of Duty game. Some rare figures include any in the...
Matters Of Import Fire Emblem (Sort Of) Exists On The Sony PlayStation
A look at Shouzou Kaga's forgotten classic
For various reasons we now live in an era where developers breaking away from their parent companies to make similar-but-different pseudo-sequels to dormant, dead, or defiled game series is now a relatively commonplace occurrence, with Koji Igarashi's Castlevania successor Bloodstained being the latest to...
May2015
News An Impressive 1.79 Million Players Have Crossed Swords With Fire Emblem: Awakening
...as of December 2014
Fire Emblem has traditionally struggled to make much of an impact in the West - we didn't even get to experience the franchise until the days of the Game Boy Advance - but it would appear that the turn-based series has finally caught the attention of players outside of Japan. A new promotional page has just gone live in Japan...
News Official Nintendo UK Store Bundles Fire Emblem amiibo with Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
Sneaky strategy
Capitalism has some simple rules, one of which is to balance demand with strategy; if something's rare then you can get more money for it, or use it to promote other goods. A notorious example was GameStop's insane 'Massive Bundle' for a Majora's Mask 3D New Nintendo 3DS XL, which had a price tag of $500. Nintendo's not quite gone...
April2015
News Nintendo Celebrates Japanese Launch Of Fire Emblem If With Themed Cover Plate & Bundle
Another week, another cover plate
Since the launch of the New Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo has allowed users to accessorise their system with a wide selection of cover plate offerings. This trend won’t be stopping any time soon, with the latest cover plate reveal celebrating the upcoming Japanese launch of Fire Emblem If. The special Fire Emblem If...
News Fire Emblem's Two Versions Will Offer Very Different Challenges
More difficult "Black Kingdom" edition aimed at veterans of the series
The next entry in the Fire Emblem series - dubbed Fire Emblem If in Japan - is coming in two different packages: White Kingdom and Black Kingdom. While it's tempting to assume that these two versions boast only subtle differences, Intelligent Systems' Masahiro Higuchi and...
News Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem’s Character Designer Speaks Of New Challenge
Toi8 Tackles New Crossover
World renowned character designer, toi8, takes to Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem's Official Blog to share a little more about himself. We all know and love him for his work on hack//The Movie and Chain Chronicle movie, but did you know that working for Nintendo has been a huge dream of his? "As part of the generation...
News Fire Emblem: If Special Edition Bundle Sold Out In Japan, Sparks Second Shipment for Pre-Orders
If only it was out in the West this year
It seems Intelligent systems has pulled it out of the bag with its latest release. The brand new game in the Fire Emblem series has sold out of its pre-orders for the Special Edition pack, resulting in a second shipment being ordered for Japan. Some people may call this an ironic twist of fate, after Fire...
Video Check Out Every Fire Emblem Intro So Far, From NES to Current Day
With the recent promo videos for If and the Shin Megami Tensei crossover
The history of the Fire Emblem franchise in the West is far less substantial that its equivalent track record in Japan, with the strategy series enjoying a number of entries from the days of the original Famicom. Its struggles on a global scale, as has been well recorded, were...
Gallery Gaze Upon Fire Emblem Cipher, the New Card Game Unlikely to Escape Japan
Sweet, sweet artwork
It's a common refrain to say that Nintendo releases the 'coolest' stuff in Japan, but there are a number of reasons why that's said an awful lot. Perhaps there's something in the statement, if this lovely card game is anything to go by. Fire Emblem Cipher is due in Japan this summer, no doubt to coincide with the arrival of...
News New Fire Emblem on 3DS Takes Shape as Two Separate Releases in Japan
Western details for 2016 release unclear
We think it's fair to say that, at the moment, the Fire Emblem series is in the position to go from strength to strength, following the success of Fire Emblem: Awakening. Intelligent Systems and Nintendo SPD continue to impress their Fire Emblem fans, and with a new addition to the series on the horizon Fire...
News The New 3DS Fire Emblem Will Force You To Pick A Side
Hoshido or Nohr - which will you choose?
During today's Nintendo Direct more footage of the latest Fire Emblem title was shown, and although the game doesn't have a final title yet, we're starting to get a better picture of what this fresh instalment is all about. Unlike Fire Emblem: Awakening, you won't be assuming the role of a off-screen...
March2015
Review Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Worth fighting for
While Fire Emblem is a franchise with a long history in Japan, its track record in the West is far more condensed; in fact Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones on Game Boy Advance was only the second series entry to arrive in the West. The first Western arrival is also available on the Wii U eShop, meaning that there's a useful...
February2015
News A Fire Emblem 25th Anniversary Symphony Concert is Coming to Japan
No news on a western tour, yet
As you may remember, we reported about a week ago on the upcoming Legend of Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses: Master Quest tour line-up. Promising orchestral covers of a plethora of music pieces spanning the series' rich history, the symphonic experience is something to look forward to for many fans of the franchise...
January2015
News The New Fire Emblem For 3DS May Be Arriving Sooner Than Expected
Update: Nintendo Australia issues an update dropping '2015' window
Update: It appears Nintendo Australia made an error with the listed 3DS release dates and has now sent out an updated version of the newsletter. The 3DS section now reads, "Games coming for Nintendo 3DS" rather than the existing header which indicated a 2015 launch for all titles...
News A New Fire Emblem Game Is Marching Towards The 3DS
From the same team behind Fire Emblem: Awakening
During today's Nintendo Direct it was confirmed that the 3DS family of systems is getting a new entry in the beloved Fire Emblem series, created by the same core team at Intelligent Systems which brought us the sublime Fire Emblem: Awakening. An entirely new story is on offer, but this time around...
December2014
News Final Shots of Lucina Figma Make the Cut
Currently slated for an April 2015 release
Last month we had a first look at Good Smile Company's model of Lucina from its figma line. The company has posted further shots of the popular Fire Emblem: Awakening character, showing off more of the figure's versatility. According to Good Smile Company's page, the Lucina figma is designed
Rumour Has Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem Been Cancelled?
Online rumblings seem to suggest so, but have your pinch of salt ready
Remember Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem? The Wii U crossover was announced back in January 2013 to great fanfare from followers of both franchises, but since then information on the title has been scarce. At E3 this year Nintendo producer Hitoshi Yamagami confirmed that the...
November2014
News Lucina from Fire Emblem: Awakening Gets Immortalised in Figurine Form
Showing off her figure
Good Smile Company have plenty to smile about after unveiling a fully painted version of Lucina from their figma range. This figurine is superbly detailed, and if you can see past some obvious fragility this model shows off everything that's great about the Fire Emblem: Awakening character's design. Looking appropriately...
October2014
Rumour Nintendo Removed Tharja From Super Smash Bros. To Avoid A Higher Age Rating
Fire Emblem: Awakening's scantily-clad character just can't catch a break
Remember when Nintendo of America censored the character Tharja in the Fire Emblem: Awakening DLC? If rumour is to be believed — and we should stress that this is very much a rumour — then the same thing has happened in Super Smash B
August2014
News Fire Emblem Bringing The Battle to the Wii U in Europe This Week
Launches at discount price
The growing Game Boy Advance library on the Wii U Virtual Console has already brought us some excellent titles, but the latest announcement will no doubt have strategy fans rather excited. Fire Emblem — the Game Boy Advance version that was the first in the series released outside Japan — will arrive in this week's...
June2014
Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem is also "right on schedule"
Nintendo revealed Code Name S.T.E.A.M. at E3 yesterday, the next outing from Intelligent Systems — and it looks rather great, too. However, Nintendo fans being Nintendo fans, certain people weren't satisfied with a brand-new IP to look forward to and couldn't resist asking about the...
March2014
Matters of Import Prepare To Die In Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
This Super Famicom swansong takes no prisoners
Fire Emblem is a strange series; much loved and well known, yet still a relative outsider when compared to the likes of Kirby or even Star Fox. Released first as a Nintendo Power exclusive deluxe pack in 1999 and then again in more standard SNES packaging in 2000, Thracia 776 has the d
December2013
Feature 12 Days of Christmas - Fire Emblem's Awakening
Long-running strategy RPG dodges permadeath with one of the year's best
There were greater commercial and critical successes than Fire Emblem: Awakening's in this Year of Luigi, but none could be as sweet. The underdog series finally saw the acclaim that it deserved from a mass audience for a banner year, one in which the stakes couldn't have been...
May2013
News Fire Emblem: Awakening Could Have Been The Swansong For The Series
Ultimatum spurred the developers on
Fire Emblem: Awakening has been a commercial and critical triumph, gaining positive review scores and bringing a whole new generation of fans to the series. However, had sales been lower, it could have been the final entry in the franchise. Producer Hitoshi Yamagami was told that if the game sold less than a...
News The Image Of Tharja In A Swimsuit Nintendo Of America Didn't Want You To See
Avert thine eyes, children
We've already seen that the European version of Fire Emblem: Awakening has been subjected to alterations to remove "adult" content, but now it's the turn of the North American version of the game. The recently-released DLC packs — Harvest Scramble, Summer Scramble and Hot Spring Scramble — were created as the result...
April2013
Video Nintendo UK Unleashes a Series of Fire Emblem: Awakening Tasters
It's getting closer, Europe
Although lucky gamers in North America have now been enjoying Fire Emblem: Awakening on 3DS since the start of February — Japanese gamers have been playing since last year — those of us in Europe are still waiting. It arrives in the region on 19th April, which still seems like a fair old wait considering just how much...
February2013
News Fire Emblem: Awakening Cut Down By Shipping Delay
That eShop version is looking very attractive right now
Fire Emblem: Awakening recently launched in North America, and if you've already consulted our review, you'll be aware that it really is a game that all 3DS owners should own. Sadly, it would appear that a manufacturer shipping delay is preventing many people from actually acquiring the game...
Feature Fire Emblem's Western Adventure
From humble Japanese strategy RPG to important Western franchise
The long arduous wait for Fire Emblem: Awakening is almost over. North Americans will be getting hold of it on 4th February while Europeans, whose patience must be more enduring, will have it in April. Naturally, Japan has had the title for over a year now. Fire Emblem is a tactical...
News Fire Emblem: Awakening Was Almost Set On Mars
Nintendo's President conducts an eye-opening Iwata Asks
With Fire Emblem: Awakening emerging on North American shores this week, it seemed only fitting that Nintendo President Satoru Iwata was joined by the team behind the game in the latest instalment of Iwata Asks. Usually Iwata-san interviews three or four members of the development team, but...
January2013
Review Fire Emblem: Awakening (3DS)
I love the smell of Elfire in the morning
A hint of trepidation arises whenever the "Powers That Be" decide that "Your Cool Thing" needs a bigger audience, primarily because "What They Like" and "Why You Like It" don't always mesh. Take Fire Emblem, possibly the most hardcore of Nintendo's franchises — not "hardcore" in the nonsense term of it...
Rumour Fire Emblem: Awakening Bundle Coming To North America
Comes with a glorious special edition 3DS
Yesterday we reported that a demo for the highly anticipated strategic RPG Fire Emblem: Awakening will be made available to download from the North American 3DS eShop on 17th January. The game itself will launch on 4th February and will be available in both physical and downloadable forms. According to var
January2012
Review Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (3DS eShop / GBA)
Once more, to arms!
For such a long-running series, it's hard to believe Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones was only the second game to leave Japan after GBA predecessor Fire Emblem. Since then the series has had a far bigger presence in the West, a fact underlined by Sacred Stones' status as a 3DS Ambassador title. If Sacred Stones is your first Fire...
March2009
Review Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (Wii)
Radiant
Fire Emblem is a renowned turn-based tactics series that can be most likened to a combination of Risk and Chess. Following in the wake of the GameCube's Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn sees the story of Tellius develop from several perspectives. As is typical in the series, the world is gearing up for battle: the Laguz (Beastmen) and Beorc...
Review Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (DS)
What this remake lacks in innovation it more than makes up for in polish
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the Nintendo DS is the best current generation system to look to when it comes to role-playing games. With titles like Final Fantasy IV, Dragon Quest V, The World Ends With You and Children of Mana, this portable gaming wonder plays host to some of...
April2006
Review Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (GCN)
Dark days are rising and mercenary Ike...
Not long ago Fire Emblem was one of those cool looking Japanese games that we never got the chance to play over here. Thankfully in the past few years gamers in the west have been graced with that latest 3 (the 7th 8th and 9th instalments), 2 for the GBA and one on the GC. The one featured in this review is...
