You know what? I like Nintendo dropping things outta nowhere. They did it with that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity reveal and they are at it again. OK, so this time, it isn't as huge as the aforementioned game, but it was still a pleasant surprise.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Nintendo's Fire Emblem series and unlike some of the company's other franchises, they actually seem to give enough of a fig about this one to celebrate. Sorta. Kinda. Maybe. I really don't know if translating the NES version of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light for western audiences is Nintendo's way of really celebrating FE's 30th anniversary, but giving gamers in the west the NES version that started it all is something I really can't knock. And for the low price of $5.99, too.
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| Screenshot by The Verge |
Nintendo did release a remade version of this game on the DS in 2008 under the name Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon. That game now goes for quite a high asking price so, $6 for an officially translated version of the original 1990 game is a steal. This Switch eShop release will come with new quality of life features such as stave states, rewind and fast forward. Purists will no doubt scoff at these new features, but I saw screw those players. If you want to enjoy a FE game without worrying about permanently losing characters, have at it.
If you want to spend a little more than $6, you could opt for the Fire Emblem 30th Anniversary Edition for $49.99 at select retailers. You get a download code for the game and a 220 plus page art book, a NES replica box and what looks like a Nintendo Power pullout poster, among other things. The 30th Anniversary Edition is definitely for the diehard FE fan so I doubt I'll be handing over 50 clams, but it does look really, really, cool.
Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light is not only the game that kicked off the whole FE series, it is also the game that Marth made his debut in. A good chunk of gamers would be introduced to Marth in 2001's Super Smash Bros. Melee and it was cute that the reveal trailer for this game begun with Marth losing a match to Roy followed by one of the players trying to explain to the other what the first FE game was/is.
Am I going to be picking up Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light? Absolutely. I've been wanting to take a trip back in time and experience some of the earlier FE games and while I wish I could play the DS remake, I'm down to play the OG version. Like I said early on, this was a pleasant surprise and I like how Nintendo has stayed on that surprise game lately.
What I don't like is the game being hit with the same limited availability stick that has struck Super Mario Bros. 35 and Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Once April 1, 2021 rolls around, if you haven't bought it yet, you're outta luck. Nintendo, why are you the way you are?
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