Fire Emblem Series

What is the Fire Emblem series about?

The Fire Emblem series is a tactical RPG franchise developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. It’s renowned for its turn-based combat, rich world-building, and cast of memorable characters. Each entry in the franchise typically follows royal houses, warriors, and mythical beings caught in conflicts that shape the fate of entire kingdoms.

It is well known for its “permadeath” feature, where characters who fall in battle stay dead (unless you're playing on casual mode). Many titles are standalone, while others are part of interconnected timelines and universes. The series also emphasizes relationships and decision-making, often allowing players to forge bonds between characters both on and off the battlefield.

When did Fire Emblem first come out?

The first Fire Emblem game, Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, was released exclusively in Japan for the Famicom in 1990. It wasn’t until 2003 that the series debuted internationally with Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade on Game Boy Advance. Since then, the Fire Emblem game series has grown in popularity, especially after the success of titles like Awakening and Three Houses.

How many Fire Emblem games are there?

There are currently 17 mainline titles, along with several remakes and spin-offs. Below is the Fire Emblem series in order of release (main entries only):

1. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (1990)
2. Fire Emblem: Gaiden (1992)
3. Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (1994)
4. Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War (1996)
5. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (1999)
6. Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade (2002)
7. Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade (2003 – First international release)
8. Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (2004)
9. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005)
10. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007)
11. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (2008 – remake of the original)
12. Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem (2010 – Japan only)
13. Fire Emblem: Awakening (2012)
14. Fire Emblem: Fates: Birthright, Conquest & Revelation (2015)
15. Fire Emblem: Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (2017 – remake of Gaiden)
16. Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019)
17. Fire Emblem: Engage (2023)

Several spin-offs also exist, such as Fire Emblem Warriors and the mobile title Fire Emblem Heroes.

What is the best order to play the Fire Emblem games?

While each Fire Emblem title usually introduces a new cast and setting, some games share a timeline or take place in the same universe. For story continuity and lore, here’s a suggested chronological order (for interconnected games):

Chronological Fire Emblem timeline:
Archanea Saga (Marth’s timeline):

1. Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light / Shadow Dragon (remake)
2. Mystery of the Emblem / New Mystery of the Emblem (remake)
3. Awakening – Set far in the future, referencing characters from the Archanea saga

Valentia Saga:

• Gaiden / Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (remake) – Happens concurrently with Shadow Dragon

Elibe Saga:

• The Blazing Blade – Prequel
• The Binding Blade – Set 20 years later

Tellius Saga:

• Path of Radiance
• Radiant Dawn

Fates Timeline:

• Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright, Conquest, and Revelation – Multiple timelines and endings

Standalone universes:

1. The Sacred Stones
2. Three Houses
3. Engage

Since many games are standalone or loosely connected, you can also just play in release order or start with the most modern entries (Awakening, Three Houses, or Engage) to ease into the series.

The best Fire Emblem games

Opinions vary, but Fire Emblem: Awakening (2012) is often called the best Fire Emblem game, thanks to its accessible gameplay and emotional story. Three Houses (2019) brought branching story paths, time management, and deep character development to the Switch era, becoming one of the most beloved entries to date.

Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn are favorites among longtime fans for their epic scope and character arcs, especially featuring Ike. Meanwhile, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is praised for its music, presentation, and faithful modernization of an early classic.

Who are the most iconic Fire Emblem characters?

The franchise has introduced dozens of beloved characters, many of whom gained even more recognition through Super Smash Bros. appearances. The most iconic Fire Emblem characters include:

• Marth – The original hero, central to several early games
• Ike – The strong and just mercenary leader from the Tellius saga
• Lucina – Time-traveling daughter of Chrom, introduced in Awakening
• Robin, Corrin, and Byleth – Customizable protagonists from recent games
• Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude – Leaders of the three houses in Three Houses

Character relationships and support conversations are a key part of what makes Fire Emblem so engaging.

What’s next for the Fire Emblem game series?

Following the release of Fire Emblem Engage (2023), the series shows no sign of slowing down. As of March 2025, Nintendo hasn’t officially announced the next main title, there are strong rumors about a potential remake of Genealogy of the Holy War in development for the Nintendo Switch or its successor.

In the meantime, Fire Emblem Heroes continues to receive updates on mobile, and DLC content has expanded the Engage experience with new Emblem characters and story chapters. With its growing popularity and strong fan base, the franchise will likely continue to evolve for years to come. To stay up to date about future announcement, check out our Switch news section and get all the latest information.