Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light

 Switch
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32

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  1. frederik1478
    Dec 9, 2020
    6
    A Classic only worth playing for fans , I would not say I had a bad time with the game but it was slow and tedious and if you don't played on double speed then you're going to bed time, But it is fun to see how franchise grew out of this little Nintendo game, Would only recommend buying if you're curious about the Fire Emblem series beginning
  2. FTZombies629
    Dec 7, 2020
    6
    I would only get the game bc its only available for a limited time only physical and digital but outside of that, I honestly don't know. I beaten the original version via a fan translation and played around 4 hours of this one. Also, the emulation is the same as the wii U nes games.
  3. InfernoNobody
    Dec 7, 2020
    7
    This game isn't anything special, but it's really cool to finally have this released in a language other than Japanese. Personally I think the color looks better than the original and plays smoother. It's really cool being able to play this game especially on the Switch. I think this game really only calls out to the long time fans and could give you the wrong idea on the series if youThis game isn't anything special, but it's really cool to finally have this released in a language other than Japanese. Personally I think the color looks better than the original and plays smoother. It's really cool being able to play this game especially on the Switch. I think this game really only calls out to the long time fans and could give you the wrong idea on the series if you only care for the graphics of games. The story isn't the best, but it could be much worse. Overall this is a cool release over anything, especially if you can get the collectors edition. If you want this game or want to try something new in the JRPG genre, get it from the eshop before it's too late.… Expand
  4. cyberlaw4
    Mar 9, 2021
    0
    Say NO for all limeted sh** they trying to sell us! WTF it's 30th Anniversary singleplayer game! I believe the game itself is very good but i hate such selling practice.
  5. wailmer
    Dec 27, 2020
    10
    This game is exactly what it say the first Fire emblem translated for the first time, I don't know why anyone would complain about it not being free there are several nes/snes games that are not free like the original dragon quest but there all cheap 6$ for this game is totally worth it if you like classic fire emblem
  6. MinePlay512
    Dec 5, 2020
    8
    You know, it's very hard to look at this game, yes, it's a classic and I like RPG games. The classic is a solid start to the Fire Emblem series and 30 years after it came out, it's still fun as of today.
  7. splch
    Dec 13, 2020
    10
    it’s not fair to hold retro games to modern standards. this game started the fire emblem series we know and love today, and the game is super fun is you play past an “initial impression” stage. it definitely deserves higher than a 5-6/10. in my eyes it’s a 10 :)
  8. Resero971
    Dec 24, 2020
    8
    For the time it was released in it was a good game for people who have a lot of time on their hands and don't mind figuring out the numbers for themselves. Nowadays it's still pretty good for fans who either want an idea what the 3 early games were like and those who want a nostalgia trip.
    Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and The Blade of Light for the Nintendo Switch is a great NES port for $6.    For the time it was released in it was a good game for people who have a lot of time on their hands and don't mind figuring out the numbers for themselves. Nowadays it's still pretty good for fans who either want an idea what the 3 early games were like and those who want a nostalgia trip.
    Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and The Blade of Light for the Nintendo Switch is a great NES port for $6. With new features that make the game less intimidating to players who never played the older games with no optional perma-death and punishing gameplay.

    That's it, that's the review. Play it if you want a good idea how these games got their standard formula for addicting gameplay and fun. If you want to read my rant on the people who review this game continue reading, if you don't, we're done here.



    Y'all, don't listen to the "professional" critics who call the game slow. It's a Famicom game that was one of the first true games in it's genre and even it's predecessor, Famicom Wars, was pretty slow, from what little I played of it. The game is great for the time, and I hope if they rerelease Gaiden, the game Shadows of Valentia was a remake of, they add an option to speed up the game without messing up the music because it is WAY slower than this game and if the cucks who give this game low score because they don't understand the circumstances that led to the "design issues" in the two games released on the Famicom. There is no genre, as far as I know, that got it right on the first try. Also, to the **** who say they should've released this on the NES app, are you REALLY saying that they should've translated this FOR FREE? Are you really so stupid to think that $6 is too much for not just a translation but also a localization, a turn rewind, display options for either **** full screen or the way it was originally made, a bookmark feature, AND THE ABILITY IN SPEED UP THE GAME? If you want to play this for free, go download the famicom app on the Switch or use an emulator and patch the game yourself. Fair warning for both of those options, they are both hard to follow if you're not: A. Able to read japanese. Or B. Using a direct translation not localization (yes there is a difference).
    I just wish that critics could understand why the game is the way it is and not play the game for about 5 hours and then review the game comparing it to the game that came out most recently even though there is about 20 years and 15+ games in between them.    … Expand
  9. MrGreen3339
    Jan 26, 2021
    8
    FE1 is among the most underrated games in the series. Yes, it is slow, but you can use speedup to remedy that. And the mechanics and game design give it it's own distinct feel from every other FE game, including the DS remake.

    I'm not even mad about the pricing thing, it's cheap, and it's logical considering that they spent resources to localize the game in the first place.
  10. Esperaunce
    Dec 6, 2020
    0
    Instead of delivering on the NES/SNES games we were promised during the initial launch of Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo and companies decided to re-release games for a separate price tag. Granted, this game never game out in the west. Still inexcusable practice.
  11. SirKineon
    Mar 30, 2021
    9
    I honestly don't know why there are press ratings of a straight port of an old game, as they will obviously fall far away from what the game deserves 90% of the times. Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon has its problems, but simply because we are looking at it with today's eyes. This is like giving Castlevania I a 6/10 because Symphony of the Night or any other younger Metroidvania kills it inI honestly don't know why there are press ratings of a straight port of an old game, as they will obviously fall far away from what the game deserves 90% of the times. Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon has its problems, but simply because we are looking at it with today's eyes. This is like giving Castlevania I a 6/10 because Symphony of the Night or any other younger Metroidvania kills it in gameplay, graphics, soundtrack or any other aspect. As I see it, this isn't Anniversary Edition or anything similar, so press reviews are mostly here to say "old = bad" because a console like the NES couldn't bring you a JRPG turn-based tactical game in a better shape than Shadow Dragon does. To be fair, I really enjoyed this game because I knew what I was buying. One of My favourite aspects of this game is how wisely they use the map for a strategy game, making every house and village a important place to visit and the only places where you can get information on the story of the game apart from some texts at the beginning and the end of each chapter. Also, the difficulty truly challenges the player's capacity of resources management such as weaponry, potions and XP points at the same time you have to remember that you can't recover your units when they die.

    Long story short: If you like turn-based tactical games, this one is one of the greatest challenges you'll encounter, for 6 bucks is a great deal and a powerful way to enter in such a diverse franchise like Fire Emblem is.    … Expand
  12. Onioncreature
    Dec 11, 2020
    5
    While I do appreciate that Nintendo has finally localized one of their older Japan exclusive titles, I have to admit that this isn't the one I would've chosen. It's certainly functional, and has some vaguely enjoyable elements, but the original Fire Emblem game really hasn't aged very well, and the minor quality of life improvements added to this version don't do enough to mitigate theWhile I do appreciate that Nintendo has finally localized one of their older Japan exclusive titles, I have to admit that this isn't the one I would've chosen. It's certainly functional, and has some vaguely enjoyable elements, but the original Fire Emblem game really hasn't aged very well, and the minor quality of life improvements added to this version don't do enough to mitigate the dated game design. It's difficult to recommend this to anyone other hardcore fans of the series.… Expand
  13. Starfree
    Dec 11, 2020
    7
    I think it’s wrong that this game isn’t free with Nintendo Online along with all the other NES games. But as NES games go. This is one of the best. I believe it still holds up today. A fun challenge well worth 6 dollars.
  14. JimPickens
    Jan 14, 2021
    5
    FE1 is only worth going back to if you're already a fan of the series. Much like many NES games, this simply doesn't hold up today, it's slow, tedious and unfair, it's too long for its own good, the only merit I can see from playing this game, is if you're curious about the beginnings of the series and Marth, otherwise steer clear, under no circumstances should this be your entry to theFE1 is only worth going back to if you're already a fan of the series. Much like many NES games, this simply doesn't hold up today, it's slow, tedious and unfair, it's too long for its own good, the only merit I can see from playing this game, is if you're curious about the beginnings of the series and Marth, otherwise steer clear, under no circumstances should this be your entry to the series, it has much more to offer later in life, if you absolutely have to play this, only play it on the Switch with the rewind feature. If you want to start playing Fire Emblem, start with either Fire Emblem 6, the first localised title, Fire Emblem Awakening which is often heralded as the best, or Three Houses the newest entry, after you've become acquainted with the series and decided you like it, only then should you play this game… Expand
  15. Keyston3
    Mar 14, 2023
    9
    Honestly i loved it! Everything that makes Fire Emblem well Fire Emblem is all in this game. haven't quite beat it but i put in like 50 hours! I love old sprites they are so beautiful and hold up really well despite what some people say.
  16. Fraxxo
    Sep 9, 2023
    5
    I wonder hos the series got so popular in Japan with such a terrible start.
    This game did came out in 1990 but looks, sounds and plays like an early 80s game with boring and extremely slow gameplay revolving about terrible RNG.
    I get it, Intelligent System was trying to create a different type of JRPG on the market, and it surely did pay out in the long term, but this game is just so    I wonder hos the series got so popular in Japan with such a terrible start.
    This game did came out in 1990 but looks, sounds and plays like an early 80s game with boring and extremely slow gameplay revolving about terrible RNG.
    I get it, Intelligent System was trying to create a different type of JRPG on the market, and it surely did pay out in the long term, but this game is just so bad, slow, unnecessary long and full of glitches. I couldn't even bring myself past Chapter 15.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Ninty Fresh Magazine
    Oct 22, 2021
    60
    Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light is the definitive version of this NES classic, however that still doesn’t fix its many flaws. [Issue #3, p.53]
  2. CD-Action
    Jul 23, 2021
    80
    I was surprised to discover that the reedition of the first, 8-bit Fire Emblem is not just a disappointing history lesson. Of course, this NES-era classic is ugly, outdated and rough in many aspects, but it’s still very engaging. It also shows that although the series grew significantly over the years, it managed to retain its overall feel. [02/2021, p.38]
  3. Nintendo Force Magazine
    May 5, 2021
    80
    Whether you're a newbie like me or not, you won't regret experiencing this part of Fire Emblem and video gaming history. [Issue #50 – January/February 2021, p. 24]
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