Fire Emblem is a popular tactical role-playing game series that has captivated fans around the world for over three decades. With such a rich history, playing the games in order can be a challenge – one I am going to help you with today.
The Fire Emblem timelines are complicated to say the least, so this article will shed some light over everything helping you play each game in the franchise based on its release date.
Initially created by the Japanese video game company Intelligent Systems, Fire Emblem’s features turn-based battles on grid-based maps and emphasizes character development and permadeath mechanics. Let’s check out the games chronologically!
1. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
Released: 1990 (Japan), 2020 in Europe & North America
The first entry in the series, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, was released in 1990 for the Nintendo Famicom. It was remade in 2009 for the Nintendo DS as Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon.
This first game in the franchise introduced players to the continent of Archanea and the story of Marth, the prince of Altea, who embarks on a journey to reclaim his kingdom and rescue his sister.
Also read: Check out my favorite RPG franchise: Fallout games listed in order.
2. Fire Emblem Gaiden
Released: 1992
Following the success of the first game, Fire Emblem Gaiden was released in 1992 for the Famicom. It was remade for the Nintendo DS and released in 2017 under the name Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.
This title is set on the continent of Valentia and features two main characters, Alm and Celica, who fight to bring peace to their land.
Gaiden introduced new gameplay mechanics such as explorable towns and dungeons, which were later revisited in future titles.
3. Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem
Released: 1994
The third game in the series, Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem, was released in 1994 for the Super Famicom. It was later released as a Nintendo DS game under then name Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem (in 2010).
This game offers a remake of the original Fire Emblem, but also a new chapter that serves as a sequel to it, continuing Marth’s adventures who has to face his former ally Hardin this time.
4. Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War
Released: 1996
In 1996, Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War was released for the Super Famicom in Japan only.
The game takes place on the continent of Jugdral and features a complex story that spans generations.
It introduced the concept of character relationships and inheritance mechanics, which would become staples in future games.
5. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
Released: 1999
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 was released for the Super Famicom, making it the final Fire Emblem game for that console. The game is set in the same world as Genealogy of the Holy War but focuses on a different set of characters and events, telling the story of Leif.
Thracia 776 introduced mechanics such as fatigue, capture, and rescue, adding more depth and strategy to the gameplay and bringing it one step closer to the game we know today.
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6. Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade
Released: 2002
The Binding Blade, released for the Game Boy Advance, marked the beginning of the second generation of Fire Emblem games.
Set on the continent of Elibe, the story follows Roy, the son of a marquess, as he leads an army to stop the evil Bern Empire.
This game introduced the support conversation system, which allowed characters to develop relationships and improve their abilities in battle.
7. Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
Released: 2003 in Japan & the US | 2004 in the PAL region
The Blazing Blade was released for the Game Boy Advance, and it is the first game in the franchise to be released globally.
This game is a prequel to The Binding Blade and follows the journey of three protagonists: Eliwood, Hector, and Lyn. It was well received by the Western markets.
8. Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Released: 2004
The Sacred Stones was released on GBA, and it takes place in the continent of Magvel. The game follows the twin protagonists, Eirika and Ephraim, as they fight to restore peace to their war-torn homeland.
The Sacred Stones reintroduced the explorable towns and branching class promotion system from Fire Emblem Gaiden.
Also read, for some classic RPG gameplay: full Spyro games list.
9. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Released: 2005
Path of Radiance, released in 2005 for the Nintendo GameCube, was the first Fire Emblem game to feature 3D graphics. It marks the entry into the third generation of Fire Emblem games.
Path of Radiance takes place in the continent of Tellius and follows the story of Ike, a young mercenary, as he fights against an invading nation.
The game introduced a skill system, which allowed players to customize their characters’ abilities.
10. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Released: 2007 in Japan & US | 2008 in the PAL region.
Released for the Nintendo Wii, the game is a sequel to Path of Radiance. It continues the story of Ike and introduces new characters such as Micaiah, a silver-haired mage. Radiant Dawn features improved graphics, a more complex skill system, and a challenging difficulty level.
11. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
Released: 2008
Shadow Dragon, released for the Nintendo DS, is a remake of the first Fire Emblem game, Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. It features updated graphics, gameplay improvements, and new characters.
12. Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem
Released: 2010
New Mystery of the Emblem, also released for the Nintendo DS, is a remake of the third game in the series, Mystery of the Emblem. It includes updated graphics, gameplay enhancements, and the addition of the customizable Avatar character.
13. Fire Emblem: Awakening
Released: 2012 in Japan | 2013 in the rest of the world.
Awakening is the first new game in the series since 2008’s Radiant Dawn.
Released for the Nintendo 3DS, it takes place in the continents of Ylisse and Valm. The game follows the story of Chrom and the customizable Avatar character as they fight to save their world.
Awakening introduced the Pair Up system and reintroduced the marriage and child mechanics from Genealogy of the Holy War.
Also read my list of the best party games to play on Xbox.
14. Fire Emblem Fates
Released: 2015 in Japan | 2016 – rest of the world
Released for the Nintendo 3DS, the game is divided into three separate versions: Birthright, Conquest, and Revelation. Each version has a unique storyline and offers different gameplay experiences.
The game is set in the continents of Hoshido and Nohr and follows the Avatar character as they struggle to choose between their birth family and adoptive family.
15. Tokyo Mirage Sessions
Released: 2015
This is a spin-off created by Atlus and released on the Nintendo Wii U, combining Atlus’s Shin Megami Tensei and Nintendo’s Fire Emblem.
It takes place in modern day Tokyo and focuses on Mirages who seek to harvest energy from humans. We also have Mirage Masters which try to control everything – and that is what the player is tasked to do.
Being a spin-off, this game has little to do with the FE universe.
16. Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
Released: 2017
This is a Nintendo 3DS remake of the second game in the franchise, Fire Emblem Gaiden. It features updated graphics, voice acting, and gameplay improvements while maintaining the original game’s unique mechanics.
17. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Released: 2019
Three Houses, the first game in the series released on the Nintendo Switch, is set on the continent of Fódlan, where players assume the role of a professor at the Officers Academy.
The game features three main storylines, each focusing on one of the three titular houses.
Three Houses introduced a calendar system, strategic battalions, and a more in-depth character development system.
18. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
Released: 2022
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is an action-packed hack and slash RPG for the Nintendo Switch, developed by Omega Force.
Set in the same universe as the original Fire Emblem: Three Houses, it features a new protagonist named Shez and offers an alternative timeline with familiar characters and story elements.
This is usually considered a spin-off because it was developed together with Koei Tecmo, featuring gameplay of the Dynasty Warriors series.
19. Fire Emblem Engage
Released: 2023
Alear, a dragon in human form, awakens after a thousand years to face the Fell Dragon Sombron’s forces across the land of Elyos.
While gathering allies and clashing with the rival Kingdom of Elusia and Sombron’s undead army, the player leads Alear’s troops in strategic battles.
Twelve magic rings, each holding the spirit of a past Fire Emblem hero, grant immense power when used – whoever controls all twelve can wield extraordinary magical abilities.
Now that you have a clearer view of the Fire Emblem games, you might want to switch to something different. I recommend checking out the Blackwell Mystery adventure series next.
And if a new titles is released before I get the chance to update this list, let me know and I will right the wrongs ASAP.