Nintendo Switch quietly gets GBA classic you can grab free

The Nintendo Switch has just added a new classic to its ever-growing GBA library, and you can grab it now.

Game Boy Advance games came to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service back in 2023, joining the console's NES, SNES, and Nintendo 64 selections. Since then, the company has been slowly adding new titles to the platform.

The service consists of classics like Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap.

If you grew up with a Game Boy Advance in the early 2000s, it's a great nostalgia trip.

Despite the fact Nintendo is bringing GameCube games to the upcoming Switch 2 online library, it's still dedicated to decking out its Game Boy selection.

The latest addition to the platform is GBA classic Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, which was originally released for the handheld platform in 2004.

It was the 8th entry in the Fire Emblem series, but only the second to be released outside of Japan at the time.

Despite that, it features a continuity separate from the mainline Fire Emblem games, making it a decent standalone title.

Set in the kingdom of Magvel, you play as dual protagonists Eirika and Ephraim as they set out to find allies and defend their land from an incoming threat.

Expect the typical Fire Emblem gameplay here, with turn-based, tactical combat, and the permadeath features of those early titles for any characters who fall in battle.

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones is the second Fire Emblem game to be made available on Nintendo Switch Online in the west, after Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade which was added previously.

In related news, Nintendo has revealed the GameCube games coming to Switch 2 later this year includes Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.

It will be joining the service along with Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Pokémon Colosseum.

Remember, these titles will only be available on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier, which goes for £34.99 a year for an individual subscription and £59.99 for a family membership.