Nintendo has expanded its Nintendo GameCube Nintendo Classics lineup with the addition of Fire Emblem Path of Radiance, now available for Nintendo Switch 2 users who are subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online Plus Expansion Pack. The strategy role-playing classic, originally released on the GameCube in 2005, can now be played on modern hardware as part of Nintendo’s growing library of legacy titles.
Set in the continent of Tellius, Fire Emblem Path of Radiance centers on rising tensions between two races, the human beorc and the half-human laguz, whose fragile coexistence is threatened by shadowy forces seeking to ignite open conflict. Players follow Ike, a young mercenary who finds himself leading the Greil Mercenaries into a much larger struggle that could plunge the land into chaos. What begins as a local conflict gradually expands into a sweeping political and military confrontation that defines the game’s narrative.
Path of Radiance is widely regarded as one of the most beloved entries in the Fire Emblem series, blending traditional turn-based strategy with character-driven storytelling. Battles take place on fully 3D maps, supported by voiced cutscenes that help bring the cast and world to life. The game also retains the series’ defining permadeath mechanic, meaning units lost in battle are permanently gone, placing a strong emphasis on tactical decision-making and careful planning.
Players must manage their roster by selecting which characters to deploy, equipping them with appropriate weapons and skills, and issuing commands to meet each map’s objective while minimizing casualties. The unforgiving nature of combat remains a core part of the experience, reinforcing the emotional weight of each encounter and the long-term consequences of battlefield decisions.
Fire Emblem Path of Radiance is available exclusively through the Nintendo GameCube Nintendo Classics collection on Nintendo Switch 2, which is accessible to Nintendo Switch Online Plus Expansion Pack subscribers. The paid membership includes access to a range of classic titles from GameCube, Nintendo 64, and Game Boy Advance, along with additional benefits such as online play, access to legacy Nintendo systems libraries, and select downloadable content and upgrade packs for supported games.
