Fire Emblem Fans Are Not Ready for the Original Shadow Dragon

Nintendo’s announcement of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light for Switch was cool and unexpected, and an unexpectedly cool 30th anniversary gift. This will be a localization of the original Famicom (or NES) Fire Emblem, first released well before most westerners were introduced to the franchise through characters in Super Smash Bros. Melee and the localization of the first Fire Emblem (The Blazing Blade) in western territories for Game Boy Advance. It will be the first official way to play this in English, and the first time Nintendo localizes an FE title originally released before they started translating them. It’s an unusual release for the company, which makes it so special.

There’s understandable excitement in the English-speaking FE universe for it, a chance to play the game that started it all without resorting to emulation. They’re also largely not prepared to handle this.

This being a localization of a Famicom/NES game from 1990 means it will be bereft of the gameplay enhancements and user-friendliness FE’s progeny have included. It contained obtuse systems compared to games released after it, alongside assorted oddities. Healers, for instance, don’t get EXP for actually healing but only do so through dodging or taking attacks, ridiculously difficult considering their low defense and how units can permanently die. There’s also no weapon triangle, and mean difficulty spikes manifest from time to time that can catch the player off guard if they’re not following a guide. These are predictable features for an old turn-based strategy game to have, but they’re bound to result in several fans pulling their hair out — maybe literally.

There are plenty more differences, but I’m not making this post a laundry list. When I say fans won’t be prepared for this, I’m not solely referring to newer ones who started with Fire Emblem Awakening, the game credited with reviving the franchise and attracting new fans thanks to the art style and especially the character relationships. I’m also talking about those who’ve been with the franchise since the first localized installment in 2003, most of whom researched games that released prior to it but didn’t actually play them. This same audience was vocal about their issues with the DS remake of this very game, released as Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, which inherited a number of the old school elements from the original game that newer installments had long discarded. It’s likely why Nintendo didn’t localize the remake of the third game, New Mystery of the Emblem: Heroes of Light and Shadow.

On the other hand, it’s partly why the remake of the second game, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, was close to a reimagining rather than being a simple remake. The original game being very different from other FE games, in a way many other NES/Famicom sequels were, was another reason.

The saving grace here is how the game will look. The DS version of Shadow Dragon represented a peculiar juxtaposition, where it resembled a new game (though far from the prettiest game on the system) but inherited gameplay features from an old one. This port will both look and feel old, lessening the surprise and, thus, the ensuing complaints. Not to say there won’t be any, but it will be comparable to Nintendo’s localization of the original Mother as Earthbound Beginnings. Those fans will largely appreciate that this is being localized at all, even if they don’t enjoy it.

It will also help that it’s coming at a good price, a mere $5.99 when it arrives digitally in December. The even bigger treat is the Fire Emblem 30th Anniversary Edition that will be released at select retailers, which will include a deluxe art book, a Nintendo Power (RIP) poster collectible, replica game box that resembles an old NES box, and even a replica game pak (Nintendo’s funny name for cartridges) that even includes the sleeve games came in to block dust, all housed in a big box. It will come at a pricey $49.99, but it seems good considering the content and how extremely expensive it will become.

This release, for some dumb reason, is yet another limited offer — even in the digital version’s case. The Anniversary Edition box will surely be tough to find after it goes up for preorder, but the digital game will be delisted on March 31st. They’re extending this trend outside the Super Mario 3D All-Stars package, which released a month ago but will only be available physically and digitally until that same date. Limited releases like this are typically only reserved for titles with licensing issues or games where normal print and release runs would be cost prohibitive, not companies like Nintendo with their own titles. Unless they’re going out of business early next year, this pattern doesn’t make a lick of sense even if they want to create artificial demand.

Still, it’s nice that they’re attempting this release at all. It’s the first such old Fire Emblem game they’re localizing, and hopefully it won’t be the last FE title or older game they do this for — including the game whose name was trending on social media just after this announcement. Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light will arrive on December 4th, but don’t wait too long to get it regardless of whether you’re buying it physically or digitally.

Related posts:

Beyond the Fates: Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Conversations in the Shadows of Valentia Revelations and History in Fire Emblem Warriors The New Fire Emblem’s Three Development Houses