Just a few years ago, getting your hands on Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance was an obstacle course. Cult title released on Nintendo GameCube in 2005, it has since become a very popular collector’s item. “One of the rarest games on the Nintendo GameCube is currently available for free on Nintendo Switch 2.”
Today, thanks to an update to the Nintendo Switch Online + Additional Pack catalog, this game is playable in streaming for free for all subscribers. An unexpected gift for tactical RPG fans, as this title is recognized as a pillar of the genre.
A game sold for up to $550 used
In physical version, the game reaches new heights on the resale market. “On eBay, a mint condition copy of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance can sell for up to $550 in the US and £340 in the UK.” For incomplete or used versions, you still have to count around 200 dollars. A price completely out of reach for the majority of players.
Nintendo is therefore doing its subscribers a huge favor by integrating this retro game into its premium formula. “Luckily, if you are a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscriber, you can play Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance at no additional cost.” The savings made are colossal, especially for such a rare game.
But only on Nintendo Switch 2
Please note, this gift is not for all Switch owners. “The only catch is that this game is only available on Nintendo Switch 2, not the original Nintendo Switch.” In other words, even with an active subscription, players remaining on the old generation will have to do without this strategic gem. That said, the irony does not go unnoticed: buying a new Switch 2 can cost cheaper that a used copy of Path of Radiance. “It’s pretty absurd when you think about it.”
A godsend for fans of retro games and strategy
This title remains to this day one of the best episodes of the saga Fire Emblemwith poignant storytelling, challenging gameplay and the introduction of cult character Ike. Thanks to official Nintendo emulation, the graphics are faithfully rendered, and the fluidity is there. For fans of the genre or those nostalgic, this is a rare opportunity to discover or rediscover this masterpiece without having to mortgage their collection.