Nintendo’s classic Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is now available on Switch 2, if you have a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
Originally released in 2005, this 3D strategy role-player is one of the better games in the Fire Emblem series, and the first to feature its turn-based combat in 3D, as the series shifted onto the GameCube following various entries for Game Boy Advance and SNES.
Path of Radiance is also notable for introducing its blue-haired hero Ike, who later returned in Wii sequel Radiant Dawn, and arguably found even greater fame as part of the Super Smash Bros. series cast.
“Two races, the human beorc and the half-human laguz, share a history of strife, mistrust, and uneasy compromise,” reads a Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance blurb.
“Now, sinister forces have emerged from the shadows to shatter the fragile peace, pitting the two against each other. Only the young mercenary Ike and his colorful band of soldiers-for-hire stand between Tellius and chaos.”
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance’s arrival for Switch 2 was first teased during Nintendo’s Switch 2 Direct last April, and it’s notable that of the 11 titles shown, we’re still waiting for Super Mario Sunshine, Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.
Fire Emblem Tier List: Rank All Western Releases
Fire Emblem Tier List: Rank All Western Releases
Back in 2023, IGN listed Path of Radiance in ninth position within our 10 Best Tactics RPGs of All Time ranking. “Path of Radiance stays true to its predecessors’ core game systems, like the weapons triangle, but upgrades everything from the skills system to the flow of battles,” we wrote at the time.
“Its innovations and tweaks have influenced every Fire Emblem game since then. The Battle Preparations and Base screens add important story details and character interactions, while expanded shove and rescue functions make for more strategic combat, and a smart bonus rewards system keeps battles flowing by setting turn-limits and providing specific sub goals.
“If you only know Path of Radiance because it introduced the world to Ike (of subsequent Smash Bros. fame), you’ll find a criminally underplayed strategy RPG that’s every bit as rewarding today as when it surprised GameCube owners back in 2005.”
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
