If you've played the Super Smash Bros. series, then there is a good chance that you're at least familiar with characters from the Fire Emblem series, especially as both Roy and Marth were introduced in Super Smash Bros. Melee on the Nintendo GameCube, and seemingly every entry in the series since, has had many new characters from the series introduced.

But what about the original game? It was only released in Japan on the NES way back in 1990. Now, thirty years on, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, is getting a fully localised version released on the Nintendo Switch eShop on December 4th, 2020, but only for a limited time. There will also be a collector's edition, including some nice nostalgic NES themed extras.

Check below for the full press release...

FIRE EMBLEM: SHADOW DRAGON & THE BLADE OF LIGHT ARRIVES ON NINTENDO SWITCH ON 4^TH DECEMBER

22^nd October, 2020 –For the past 30 years, the Fire Emblem series has captured the attention of players with its strategic and tactical gameplay, intriguing stories and striking characters. Now, the original 8-bit game, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, which follows the adventures of Prince Marth and launched a decades-spanning franchise, will be available outside Japan for the first time. On 4^th December, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light launches for the Nintendo Switch family of systems, available to purchase on Nintendo eShop for a limited time.

While players across Europe were first introduced to Marth as a fighter in the Super Smash Bros. series, the story of this bold and courageous prince actually begins in Japan’s first entry in the Fire Emblem franchise, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light. The game’s new release for Nintendo Switch features its first English language localisation, bringing to life the tactical RPG classic for a new generation of players. This release will also include features like rewind, fast forward and save states, which allow burgeoning tacticians to approach the challenge at their own pace.

Throughout Marth’s perilous journey, players can shape their armies to execute a range of strategies by carefully selecting from dozens of characters with unique attributes that can turn the tide of every battlefield skirmish. Will Marth be able to acquire the sacred Falchion sword and obtain the mystical Fire Emblem on his epic expedition to restore peace to the Kingdom of Archanea?

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light on Nintendo Switch launches on 4^th December and will be available on Nintendo eShop until the end of the franchise’s 30th anniversary on 31st March 2021. Relive the original NES adventure with new features like rewind, fast forward and save states and discover the origins of Marth in its first English-language localisation.

And here's the announcement video...

What do you think about this latest announcement in celebration of the series 30th anniversary? Will you be picking it up? Or are you concerned about the apparent limited availability of a digital game? Is the Fire Emblem series a favourite of yours? Or could this be your first foray into the series?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or join in with the discussion on our forum.