The Fire Emblem series has been around for decades, yet at one point, it wasn’t nearly as popular as it is today in the West. However, things have shifted, and people recognize the series’ excellence thanks to entries like Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Fire Emblem: Awakening, and an assortment of titles that go back to the NES era of Nintendo consoles.
While we’re not going through every game release, we’re going over ten of our favourites that stick out. There is no bad game in the series; some are just stronger contenders than others.
1. Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch, 2019)
A bold evolution for the franchise, Three Houses blends traditional turn-based tactics with life-sim elements, deep character development, and multiple story paths. Teaching students at Garreg Mach and watching them grow across divergent narratives gives unmatched replayability. It’s the series’s most accessible and emotionally resonant entry to date.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is an excellent starting point for those who, like me, dabbled in previous entries. As my colleague Steve put it, this is a potential gateway into the Fire Emblem franchise, and after 13 core entries, I found the game that brought me into the fold. With deep combat mechanics, an exciting class system, and a setting reminiscent of Harry Potter, I found myself often enough playing late into the night, always looking for a way to continue playing during the day. For the first time in forever, there’s finally a Fire Emblem game that caters to newcomers and veterans of the series, thanks to the rich gameplay mechanics.
2. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (GameCube, 2005)
Introducing Ike, one of the franchise’s most beloved protagonists, Path of Radiance features a strong narrative with themes of racism and classism, alongside solid strategic gameplay. It’s the only 3D console FE that blends storytelling and combat with such finesse, making it a cult favourite. You can now play it on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on the Switch 2.
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance features the best storytelling and worldbuilding, with easily the best setting. Tellius is rich in geography, memorable factions, and enough backstory to fill any holes. Plus, it offers the best support and the best iteration of classic Fire Emblem gameplay.
3. Fire Emblem: Awakening (3DS, 2012)
A hotly debated topic is whether Awakening was the game that saved the series. Awakening revamped the franchise for a modern audience, adding a casual mode, relationship mechanics, and a charming cast. While it leaned a bit into fan service, its tight gameplay and emotional stakes made it a runaway hit. The store beats are often well-written and have some of the best supports in the entire franchise.
4. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (Wii, 2007)
A direct sequel to Path of Radiance, this epic features shifting perspectives across multiple factions and a massive cast. It’s challenging, complex, and gratifying for series veterans who want depth and a challenge. Micaiah’s arc remains one of the most debated in the fandom.
5. Fire Emblem: Blazing Blade (GBA, 2003)
The first Fire Emblem game localized in the West, this GBA classic introduced Lyn, Eliwood, and Hector in a story that set the tone for future titles. It’s a perfect blend of accessibility and strategy, making it an excellent entry point for newcomers.
Blazing Blade features three routes: one that follows Lyn, who is best described as the tutorial character, then Eliwood, who serves as the main campaign and crucial section of the game, then Hector’s route, which serves as a variation of Eliwood’s story with characters and chapters exclusive to Hector’s point of view.
If there’s one thing I remember about Fire Emblem: Blazing Sword, it’s that it is the most stylish version of Fire Emblem. It features no mechanics that later games implement, and it’s the most basic in storytelling.
6. Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War (SNES, 1996, fan-translated)
This grand epic spans two generations of characters in a tragic, Game of Thrones-like saga. With its massive maps, political intrigue, and unique inheritance system, Genealogy is often hailed as the franchise’s most ambitious entry.
I found a fan’s translation years ago that was easily the best way to experience the story. It’s one of the shorter games in the series, and yes, there are comparisons to George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. However, mechanically, it’s really basic, and you won’t have many opportunities to grow your characters, as weaponry is limited.
7. Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones (GBA, 2004)
A more approachable follow-up to Blazing Blade, Sacred Stones offers split-class promotions, explorable maps, and two protagonists with branching paths. It doesn’t reinvent the formula, but it’s a polished, fan-favourite title with solid pacing and character writing.
You can play it on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack today.
8. Fire Emblem Engage (Switch, 2023)
A love letter to the series’ legacy, Engage lets players summon legendary heroes from past games. The story takes a lighter tone, but the tactical depth—bolstered by the Emblem Rings mechanic—is top-tier. It’s divisive but undeniably fun for gameplay-focused fans.
Now, Fire Emblem Engage kicks off the new year with one of the mechanically best video games I’ve played in recent memory. While the sequel to Three Houses shifts away from the social aspects previously established, the focus steers into what the series is best known for — brilliant tactical combat. I may not be the most knowledgeable lore expert given the breadth these titles hold, but I’ve played enough to know that Fire Emblem’s best-known qualities lie in decimating an opposing force while ensuring your team lives to fight another day.
Playing as Alear, the protagonist who once saved the world from the clutches of the Fell Dragon before falling into a millennium-spanning slumber, awakens to a new world. Upon awakening, things are not as they should be, and as the hero, you’ll need to pick up your weapons to save the world once again. Fire Emblem Engage’s exciting new mechanic is the Engage Rings, items held by neighbouring kingdoms that house the spirits of heroes from different worlds.
9. Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest (3DS, 2016)
Of the Fates trilogy, Conquest stands out with its brutal map design and classic FE difficulty. While the story stumbles, the gameplay is peak tactical puzzle-solving. Conquest is one of the most mechanically satisfying entries for veterans craving a challenge.
10. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (DS, 2008)
A remake of the original Fire Emblem, Shadow Dragon is pure, old-school strategy. While light on character development compared to newer titles, it modernizes the series’ roots and offers a clean, focused tactical experience. Marth’s legacy starts here and is one of the more challenging games in the series, as it attempts to update the mechanics for modern audiences while keeping the script mostly the same.
Shadow Dragon is sometimes hard to appreciate, given how dated the story is and how little interaction the characters seem to have. It’s one of the rougher games in the series, but it’s also a great way to experience the earliest moments while gaining an appreciation for how far the series has come since then.
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Author: 360 Technology Group
