Lê Thanh Hung Video Game blog pages

Nintendo DS Conference: Internet Browser, TV Tuner, NDS Lite TVCM, Winning Eleven DS Screens

2006-02-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

Nintendo held a DS conference yesterday where a couple of noticeable good things were talked about. The Nintendo DS Lite was on display and did of course steal the show, but there were many other topics that are of interest! Before digging into them, let's keep our attention a bit on the Lite, as we have received videos from our friends at GameTrailers of the TV commercial that is currently getting rolled for the promotional campaign over Japan, and also of the NDS Conference itself:
Hit Games to Come

The first ever screenshots of Winning Eleven DS were revealed by Konami, which, software wise, was certainly the highlight of the show. The quality of graphics seems to be close to what the series was on PlayStation, and that's one title soccer fanatics for sure are waiting for with high expectations. Other software titles that gathered quite a bit of attention on the showfloor were Super Robot Wars DS, Shin Sangoku Musou DS, Mario Basket 3 on 3, Final Fantasy III, Gyakuten Saiban 4, Tales of the Tempest, A.S.H. and the next Tamagotchi. It's been a good week on the Nintendo DS software front of things, as, already earlier this week, Metroid Prime Hunters Voice Chat feature was unveiled, while we received a release date (May 2006), new movies and new screenshots of Mario Bros DS
Nintendo DS Internet Browser

Nintendo has teamed up with Opera to deliver Nintendo DS users with an Internet browser. You'll be able to surf the world wide web on the go, using the Wi-Fi connection, thanks to a software cartridge from Opera. The cart will retail for 3800 Yen in Japan, which approximately converts to US$ 32. It's coming out in Japan in June 2006. There is no firm release date announced yet for the western world, but there is no doubt that this product will have the international market on target sooner or later.

Nintendo DS TV Tuner

Codenamed "1-Seg" or "1-Segment", the TV Tuner kit for Nintendo DS has also been confirmed and the final design has been revealed. Much less bulky and much simpler than what was shown on the initial picture a year ago, the TV Tuner now comes under the form of software cartridge to which a receiving antenna has been attached. Light and slim, as we all like it with handheld add-ons. You can select channels on the touchscreen, while you're watching shows on the main panel. Release date has to be fully confirmed but rumors are mentioning April 2006 as the aimed launch window. Final Yen price is unknown at press time.

SIlent Hill The movie

2006-02-18T10:32:00.000-08:00

o you've become understandably wary when it comes to big-screen adaptations of your favorite games. From Super Mario Bros. to Doom, nearly every motion picture inspired by our industry has royally stunk up the multiplex. (The continually fecal torrent of flicks like House of the Dead and Alone in the Dark by German director Uwe Boll certainly doesn't help matters, either.) But one upcoming game-to-film project actually shows promise-Sony Pictures' Silent Hill (opening April 21). Shortly after an impressive trailer ignited positive buzz among the fan community, EGM sat down with director Christophe Gans (Brotherhood of the Wolf ) and composer Akira Yamaoka (director of the Silent Hill games) to discuss their fogdrenched horror flick.

EGM: Did the stigma of working on a videogame-based film deter you?

Christophe Gans: Of course it was challenging, but it was impossible for me to do Silent Hill and not be serious about it. It's much easier to adapt Doom, even if it turns out to be a disaster-as we've seen [recently]-than to adapt Silent Hill. If you want to adapt Silent Hill, you must be ready to face all of the complexity of the story. For a lazy director, like the one who directed Doom, Silent Hill would be too big of a piece to swallow. I dreamed of adapting this game when I first started playing the first one six years ago. I prepared for this for years, knowing that every fan in the world would wait for me with an ax. I will be sniped when I go to buy my games at my favorite store if I do a bad job. And I understand that. I'm a fan of the games myself-I admire the work of Akira and his friends, and I feel like someone who joined the group and tried to transport that amazing piece of art into a different medium. I love the fandom, and I understand these people and how tense they get when they hear, "Your favorite game is going to be adapted by some French guy." [Laughs] EGM: It's impressive that you actually tackled the mythology of the games rather than creating a simpler story...was that something you intended from the project's outset? CG: Yes. Although, when we first decided to do Silent Hill, we wanted to base it on the second game. It was very natural, since that game is the favorite of every fan, and it's the one with the most beautiful world, and it's the most emotional one of all four. Every gamer who finished the game knows what I'm talking about... it's a very tragic and romantic game, and it's a beautiful adaptation of the myth of Orpheus- going to hell to bring back his love, Eurydice. It was not a real Silent Hill, though; the town serves as the background to the story, but it's not really about the mythology. So, when we decided to do the film, we realized that it was impossible to talk about Silent Hill and not talk about why this town is like that. So we realized that we had to adapt the first one. Of course, we were facing the fact that the characters that we love so much were designed for games, and not to be played by real actors. It became readily apparent when we began to write the script and had to deal with the [main] character, Harry Mason. We realized after two weeks in the writing process that Harry was actually motivated by feminine, almost maternal feelings. It's not that he's effeminate, but he's acting like a woman. So, if we wanted to keep the character, we would have to change other aspects of him...so to be true to the character, we changed Harry into Rose. Essentially, all the people who love Silent Hill are more interested in seeing the mood and atmosphere of the games rather than if a certain character is wearing pants or a dress. Also, when we decided to adapt the characters of Cybil and Dahlia, we found it difficult, mainly because they appear only sparsely in the game. When you have to create a narrative arc for these characters, you have to work really hard to make them work on the big screen. I didn't want to do what they did with Resident Evil: Apocalypse when they put Jill Valentine onscreen. I mean, that's a perfect example: I love Jill Valentine...in the game, but not onscreen. I mean, I'm sorry, but just dressing a girl like her doesn't make her the character. EGM: Did you feel a need to clearly explain the Silent Hill mythology to the audience? CG: It's a delicate balance, because in the game we are basically following one character, and this character is more or less finding little clues that tell a backstory. In a film, we can change the perspective when we want. We can show what Silent Hill was like before it became a ghost town. We can show precisely what Silent Hill is like in reality-we've never seen that before. In the game, there are two Silent Hills: the Silent Hill of darkness and the Silent Hill of fog. But when you have to tell a story about something that happened 30 years ago in a town, and that town suddenly became like the Bermuda Triangle, you have to add two more dimensions: the reality and Silent Hill from 30 years ago. So basically, we had to deal with four dimensions, and jump between them at will. It makes the concept very exciting; it's very compelling to juggle the story between those different incarnations of the same place. EGM: Akira, what do you think of the additions Christophe has made to Silent Hill world? Akira Yamaoka: After seeing the film, I think that Christophe has really expressed the core elements of Silent Hill, and he's really kept the themes alive in this new medium. Silent Hill is not just a horror game; there is human drama rooted very deeply in the story, and I feel that he expressed that very well with the visuals, sounds, and atmosphere in the film. By watching the film, I feel that you'll get a clearer and deeper understanding of the world of Silent Hill, more so than by simply playing the games. EGM: Christophe, given your fandom, have you considered directing a game? CG: Yes, I'd like to try that one day. Because as a director who is also a gamer, I think that there are two different ways to tell a story, and sometimes it can be like a dialogue between a film and a game. I'd like to think that, like, a 40-year-old woman might enjoy the film and then realize that it's an adaptation of a videogame. Now, I don't expect her to play the game, but for her to realize that games are important and that they deal with human emotions, not only carnage. Most of the people have a very caricatured vision of videogamers, and actually, gamers are very intelligent. Games are a form of art. I realized that when I played through Silent Hill. Of course, I was a big fan of [Mario creator Shigeru] Miyamoto's work, and I consider him a true artist. Playing through The Legend of Zelda, for example, was a beautiful, poetic moment for me. Playing through Silent Hill is very serious-and adult, of course-and that was the moment that I realized that gaming would become an important medium for storytelling. The quality of immersion is very difficult to reach with cinema. And I feel that it's extremely stupid for films like Doom to come out and reflect poorly on games. EGM: It doesn't help when a critic like Roger Ebert says that games are not art.... CG: F*** him. You know, I will say to this guy that he only has to read the critiques against cinema at the beginning of the 20th century. It was seen as a degenerate version of live stage musicals. And this was a time when visionary directors like Griffith were working. That means that Ebert is wrong. It's simple. Most people who despise a new medium are simply afraid to die, so they express their arrogance and fear like this. He will realize that he is wrong on his deathbed. Human beings are stupid, and we often become a**holes when we get old. Each time a new medium appears, I feel that it's important to respect it, even if it appears primitive or naïve at first, simply because some people are finding value in it. If you have one guy in the world who thinks that Silent Hill or Zelda is a beautiful, poetic work, then that game means something. EGM: How did you tackle the concept of evil in Silent Hill? CG: Because Silent Hill comes from a part of the world where the line between good and evil is blurred more so than in the West, it's very interesting to deal with that. Since you haven't seen the film, I don't want to go too deeply into that, but I will say that for me, it was interesting to define what exactly is evil in the world of today. I think it's an important question to raise. Until five years ago, we were living in a world that was a product of the Second World War. It was very clear that we were on the good side. But many things have happened in the last few years, and now people aren't so sure about that. In Silent Hill, I don't attempt to answer these questions, but I do try to illustrate them. And I think it's one of the most important objectives of the horror genre, to ask the right questions. Horror is actually a very political genre. Silent Hill is a very disturbing game, because you're not just alone physically, but also alone morally. That's the world of today. Each day, we're forced to reevaluate our own morality. EGM: You seem so passionate about this project...do you hope to helm a sequel? CG: Of course, I would love to come back. And of course, Silent Hill 3 is a direct continuation of the first game's plot...I think that it would be very possible to do a sequel to this film. As I said, Silent Hill is a complete mythology, and I did what I could in two hours, but I would love to tell much more about the Red Nurse, Claudia, and the Doctor. Plus, there is a fifth dimension of Silent Hill-how it existed in the 18th century, during the Salem witch-hunts. It's so big and so interesting, and I would love to jump back on the horse. EGM: Akira, what has the whole Silent Hill movie project meant to you? AY: I never dreamed in my wildest dreams that Silent Hill would ever become a feature film, so I must say that I'm extremely grateful for the chance to work on this incredible project. The approach that we took when making the games was not typical- we were heavily influenced by films, and really wanted to touch the users' emotions. We wanted to touch their hearts deeply. That kind of emotional potential was generally reserved for other forms of art, but I think that we were able to succeed. And now, to see these filmmakers take inspiration from our game, that was a very emotional moment for me.

Famitsu survey

2006-02-06T00:58:00.000-08:00

Famitsu conducted a survey with developers, dealers and consumers regarding to current and next-gen consoles.

Which next-generation console will you be most satisfied with in 2006?
Developers:
PlayStation 3 - 53.7%
Revolution - 41.4%
Xbox 360 - 2.4%
Dealers:
PlayStation 3 - 56.9%
Revolution - 43.9%
Xbox 360 - 1.7%
Consumers:
PlayStation 3 - 46.3%
Revolution - 43.9%
Xbox 360 - 7.9%
Which console will be No. 1 in 2006?
Developers:
Nintendo DS - 49.9%
PlayStation 3 - 16.7%
Revolution - 10.0%
PSP - 5.0%
Xbox 360 - 1.7%
Dealers:
Nintendo DS - 38.3%
PlayStation 3 - 31.5%
Revolution - 12.3%
PSP - 1.7%
Xbox 360 - 1.7%
Consumers:
PlayStation 3 - 40.3%
Nintendo DS - 32.6%
PlayStation 2 - 11.8%
Revolution - 11.5%
Xbox 360 - 2.5%
PSP - 0.3%
What is the expected retail price of PlayStation 3?

Developers: 40,000 yen (US$339) average
Retailers: 40,000 yen (US$339) average
Consumers: 50,000 yen (US$424) average
What is the expected retail price of Revolution?

Developers: 20,000 yen (US$170) average
Retailers: 25,000 yen (US$212) average
Consumers: 30,000 yen (US$255) average

When Capcom first announced a version of the original Resident Evil for Nintendo DS, it raised plenty of eyebrows. After all, how would the publisher

2006-02-03T08:27:00.000-08:00

When Capcom first announced a version of the original Resident Evil for Nintendo DS, it raised plenty of eyebrows. After all, how would the publisher be able to convert the groundbreaking survival-horror game's pre-rendered backgrounds, cut-scenes and voice acting to the handheld?

As it turns out, Capcom's done it quite well, rebuilding the game from scratch to work on the portable system. While the polygonal models of the characters have been simplified, they look just fine on the small screen. The cut-scenes, while slightly dithered from the video compression, still look just as awesomely cheesy as they did a decade ago. The voice acting survives as well, meaning that classic lines like the "master of unlocking" debacle that had us chortling all those years ago will live again.

But in a concession to the times, and more specifically the dual screens, the map is ever-present now, making it easier for gamers to keep track of their progress. The item management menu has been redesigned to fit the lower screen as well, with items and icons larger and easier to identify (and they can be rotated and viewed in 3D as well). What will be of most interest, though, is the new "Rebirth" mode, which introduces new gameplay elements not found in the original. During certain encounters, the game will switch to a first-person perspective which requires the gamer to slash his stylus across the screen in an attempt to fend off the advances of unwanted zombie love. Prepare for some heated screen scrubbing, as the sense of desperation is amplified by the use of a mere survival knife as your sole defense.

Other interactive functions -- such as using the microphone to blow poison back at an enemy, solve puzzles and even revive a fallen teammate (CPR, you know you love it) -- help mix up things as you go, and other features like a quick 180-degree turn, a quick reload function and a permanently-mapped knife button all make for streamlined gameplay. The good news for people who prefer the company of others is that the game supports two-to-four player wireless gaming in a Versus mode where players go for the highest score by killing the most enemies and making the fastest escapes. Cooperative play has also been implemented, where players work together to solve brain-teasers, grab items and get the hell out of the mansion. The best news of all is if you can't wait to get your survival-horror on, you won't have to wait long, since the game ships in less than one week.

For official trailer, goto capcom website :
http://www3.capcom.co.jp/ds_bio/

Classical video game forum

2006-01-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

http://www.twingalaxies.com/forums

Best video game record archive list

2006-01-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

http://speeddemosarchive.com/gamelist/FullList.html

Dreamcast 2.0 : Is Xbox360 the second comming of the Sega Dreamcast?

2005-11-06T22:44:00.000-08:00

23 eerie parallels between Xbox 360 and the Sega Dreamcast.

Ever since the first details of the Xbox 360 hit the web, gamers have drawn comparisons to Sega's ill-fated (yet still highly regarded) Dreamcast console. There are the obvious examples - the timing of the launches or the color of the hardware - but then there are a lot of not so obvious ones, too. As part of our Xbox 360 countdown, we've put together a list of our favorites.

Launched a year before the competition.

Launching a year before the competition (likely).

Faced a "far superior" next-generation PlayStation console that wowed gamers with fancy tech demos.

Facing a "far superior" next-generation PlayStation console that wowed gamers with fancy tech demos.

Sleek white console following in footsteps of bulky, black console.

Made its American debut on MTV.

Games ran on a Windows-derived OS.

Runs on a Windows-derived OS.

Dreamcast's marketing mantra.

Xbox 360's marketing mantra.

"Dreamcast will evolve much more into a network environment rather than a standalone system. It's not about you and the machine any more. It's about you competing against your friends, your enemies."

- Charles Belfield, Sega's VP of Marketing

"Xbox 360 is driven by the passion of a worldwide community. It's a product that will bridge vast distances through shared stories and experiences...It's about the ability to connect with your communities."

- J Allard, Corporate VP and Chief XNA Architect

Big selling point: Online for all with packed-in modem and SegaNet.

Big selling point: Online for all with built-in Ethernet port and Xbox Live Silver.

Huh.

Unable to play the latest in cutting edge movie media (DVD).

Unable to play the latest in cutting edge movie media (HD-DVD/Blu-Ray).

Big selling point: Hi-def monitor output.

Big proponent of customization.

Peter Moore spearheaded the marketing.

Peter Moore spearheading the marketing.

Played previous generation games under emulation.

Plays previous generation games under emulation.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi worked on highly anticipated First Party title (Space Channel 5).

Tetsuya Mizuguchi working on highly anticipated First Party title (Ninety-Nine Nights).

Exclusive promotional partner leading up to launch: Pepsi.

Exclusive promotional partner leading up to launch: Mountain Dew...which is owned by Pepsi.

Highly anticipated First Party racing game from Bizarre Creations (Metropolis Street Racer).

Highly anticipated First Party racing game from Bizarre Creations (Project Gotham Racing 3).

Unique selling point: Microphone peripheral.

Software medium (DVD-9) criticized as having not enough capacity by some developers.

Software medium (GD-ROM) criticized as having not enough capacity by some developers.

Promised to be an evolutionary system - to someday play DVDs.

Promises to be an evolutionary system - to someday play HD-DVDs.

Crazy rich bald guy spotted at several promotional events leading up to launch.

Planned to eventually offer larger storage capacity with a Zip drive.

Plans to eventually offer larger storage capacity with new Hard Drives.

Metal Gear Solid 2 trailer stole much of its next-generation thunder.

Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer stole much of its next-generation thunder.

But will the Xbox 360 go the way of the Dreamcast and have Microsoft abandon it a few years into its life cycle? Yeah right.

10 reasons why the Xbox 360 will succeed where the Dreamcast failed.

2005-11-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

Document

10 reasons why the Xbox 360 will succeed where the Dreamcast failed.

Sure, it's easy to come up with some parallels between the two platforms, but will the Xbox 360 go the way of the Dreamcast and have Microsoft abandon it a few years into its life cycle? Extremely unlikely. Microsoft is in a much different position than Sega was a few years ago. Here are some of the top reasons why the Xbox 360 will succeed where the Dreamcast failed.

Its predecessor was a complete failure.

Square, the most important publisher in Japan, never supported the console.

EA, the most important publisher in the U.S., never supported the console.

Dreamcast was too early for broadband gaming; 56K didn't really cut it.

Wasn't backwards compatible.

Sorry Dreamcast fans, but the system's controller really wasn't that great.

Had tons of amazing games...but no Halo 3.

FFVIII released the same day as the Dreamcast.

Former president Bernie Stolar quit right before the system launched, sending a bad sign.

Had a limited budget of only $100 million to market the console.

Following on the heels of the very popular Xbox.

Has the support of Square Enix starting with Final Fantasy XI.

Has the full support of EA, with a whole lineup of titles at launch.

Broadband penetration is getting higher and Xbox Live is unparalleled.

Backwards compatible (mostly).

Has a wireless pad that many claim may be the best controller ever made.

Will have Halo 3. And it will be huge.

Next to no competition at launch.

Solid executive team in J Allard, Robbie Bach, and Peter Moore.

Can, and will, spend whatever it takes to make the Xbox 360 a success.

Fire Emblem

2005-10-06T01:46:00.003-07:00

Fire Emblem (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム) is a popular strategy and role-playing video game franchise, developed by Intelligent Systems, and published by Nintendo. It is from the developers of Advance Wars, from the Nintendo Wars series (which shows in the gameplay, both games having almost the same gameplay). It was created by Shouzou Kaga, who later developed Tear Ring Saga. The Fire Emblem franchise has graced the Famicom, Super Famicom, Game Boy Advance, and the Nintendo GameCube. It was confined to Japan until the seventh installment, which was released on the Game Boy Advance in North America in 2003. Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword), for Game Boy Advance, is the first Fire Emblem game to be localized to North America and Europe. It was released in the United States and Europe under the name of "Fire Emblem" without any subtitle. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 is the last game on the Super Famicom. The Fire Emblem series was scored by Yuka Tsujiyoko, the composer for Paper Mario who also scored part of Tetris Attack, except Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, which was scored by Saki Haruyama, Yoshihiko Kitamura, and Yoshito Hirano, under Tsujiyoko's supervision. Shouzou Kaga resigned from Intelligent Systems after Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 and started his own business, Tirnanog.

Death is permanent in a Fire Emblem game if the game progress is saved. Some characters get revived automatically; for example, in Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken ("Fire Emblem" in the US), if one character dies in Lyndis's story, they get automatically revived in Eliwood's or Hector's story, but lose valuable level-ups. However, if a leading character dies (for example: Lyn, Eliwood, or Hector in Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) or if a home base gets seized by the enemy, the story will cease and the chapter must be replayed. Fire Emblem features many character classes. Fire Emblem is remarkable amongst Tactical Role Playing Games in that it is quite easy to learn. The primary system, the Weapon/Magic Triangle, is quite simple. Lance beats sword, sword beats axe, and axe beats lance. In the same vein, Anima magic beats light magic, light magic beats dark magic, and dark magic beats Anima magic. In Fire Emblem: Seisen No Keifu, light and dark magic are evenly matched against each other, and they both beat out the natural magic triangle of fire, wind, and thunder, wherein fire beats wind, wind beats thunder, and thunder beats fire; in Fire Emblem: Souen No Kiseki, the natural magic triangle remains, but light magic is neither effective nor ineffective against it (and dark magic is non-existent in that game).

The original Fire Emblem was a shield which allowed the wielder, Marth, to use the Falchion. During the second part of Monshou No Nazo, the Fire Emblem can be upgraded with the 5 orbs to turn it into the Shield of Seals. In later games, the Fire Emblem takes on different meanings. In Rekka no Ken and Fuuin no Tsurugi, the Fire Emblem is a seal required for a ceremony to recognize the heir to the throne of Bern. The seal was stolen twice in the history of Bern; once by King Desmond to prevent the recognition of his son, Zephiel, as heir (FE7) and second by Guinivere, in order to delay the war her half-brother Zephiel started (FE6). In the Sacred Stones, the Fire Emblem is the Sacred Stone of Grado, which holds the Demon King's Spirit, but is split in two (the other half forms the Dark Stone), and then the Fire Emblem is crushed.

In 1995, an anime OVA (co-produced with KSS) was produced and released; it was closely based on the first three acts of the very first game in the series or more specifically, the remake contained in Monshou no Nazo. See also Fire Emblem (anime).
Contents
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* 1 Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi (The Dark Dragon and the Sword of Light), Famicom (1990)
* 2 Fire Emblem Gaiden (Side-Story), Famicom (1991)
* 3 Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem), Super Famicom (1993)
* 4 Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of the Holy War), Super Famicom (1996)
* 5 Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, Super Famicom (1999, 2000)
* 6 Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi (Sword of Seals), Game Boy Advance (2002)
* 7 Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword), Game Boy Advance (2003)
* 8 Fire Emblem: (US/UK: The Sacred Stones JP: Seima no Kōseki), Game Boy Advance (JP: October 2004, US: 5/23/2005 UK: 04 Nov 2005)
* 9 Fire Emblem: Sōen no Kiseki (US/UK: Path of Radiance JP:Path of the Blue Flame), GameCube (JP: 4/20/2005 US:10/17/2005 UK: 04 Nov 2005)
* 10 Notes and regional record
o 10.1 History-making characters
* 11 List of Fire Emblem character archetypes
* 12 Mythological/Classical References
o 12.1 Norse Mythology
o 12.2 Celtic Mythology
o 12.3 Arthurian Mythology
o 12.4 Greek and Roman Mythology
o 12.5 Biblical Mythology
o 12.6 Islamic Mythology
o 12.7 Babylonian Mythology
o 12.8 French Mythology
o 12.9 Polynesian Mythology
* 13 See also
* 14 Soundtrack - MIDI
* 15 External links

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Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi (The Dark Dragon and the Sword of Light), Famicom (1990)
Screenshot of Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi
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Screenshot of Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi

Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　暗黒竜と光の剣) is the very first Fire Emblem game. It takes place on the Akaneian continent. It stars Marth, a character who later appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee. He is the prince of Altea. His mentor is Jeigan, an old but powerful knight who was sworn to guide and protect Marth all through the game. The knight Doga, the archer Gordon, and the cavalier duo Kain and Abel are members of Jeigan's squad.

The story of Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi begins when the Devil King Garnef helps resurrect the Dark Dragon Medeus, allowing the evil Dolua empire to revive as well. As the continent is taken over by Dolua, the Altean King, Cornelius, is killed, the Falchion (used a century before to kill Medeus by Altea's hero, Anri) is taken. Marth himself is forced to retreat to the island kingdom of Talis with Jeigan's squad. For some time, he lives there without worry, but one day, the Garuda Pirates ambush the people of Talis, forcing Marth to fight back. Now Marth must lead a campaign on a road through the Akaneian continent and destroy Medeus to end Dolua's dark reign. Fortunately, he won't have just Jeigan's squad assisting him; the Princess of Talis, Sheeda; the commander of Talis' army, Oguma; Soldier of Orleans, Hardin; Warren mercenaries, Raddy and Caesar; along with many others are there to help, as well as many enemies Marth manages to convince of his righteousness during the campaign.
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Fire Emblem Gaiden (Side-Story), Famicom (1991)
Screenshot of Fire Emblem Gaiden
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Screenshot of Fire Emblem Gaiden

Fire Emblem Gaiden (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム外伝) is a side story to the original Fire Emblem. It stars Alm and Celica. Alm and Celica knew each other since they were children. They each run a separate army. Several characters from the original Fire Emblem, including the pegasus knight Paola, make a comeback in Fire Emblem Gaiden.

The game takes place in the continent of Valencia, over a span of 5 Chapters. As each Chapter unfolds more of the map is revealed, for players to traverse. There are two kingdoms: Rigel and Sofia. Alm doesn't know at first, but he is later revealed to be the Prince of Rigel (Rudolf's son). Celica is the Princess of Sofia, and she also appears to be a priestess of Mira, a goddess. Fire Emblem Gaiden was the first Fire Emblem game where the two Lord characters were able to promote. Alm's starting class is Fighter and he promotes into Hero. Celica is a Priestess, and she promotes into Princess.

Some of the unique gameplay mechanics of Gaiden made a comeback in Tear Ring Saga: Yutona Eiyuu Senki and Fire Emblem: Seima No Kouseki.
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Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem), Super Famicom (1993)
Screenshot of Monshō no Nazo
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Screenshot of Monshō no Nazo

Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　紋章の謎) is Fire Emblem's first Super Famicom (SNES) installment. The events of the original Fire Emblem game were reinvented into this game. Monshô no Nazo mainly has the direct sequel to the original game, and also stars Marth. Most of the characters from the original Fire Emblem game returned in Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo. Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo held the no. 1 position on the Famitsu chart for one year. Also introduced is the Dismount command, having a cavalier get off a horse. In Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo, cavaliers can only use lances when on horseback and swords when on foot. In interior, or in-door, chapters of the game, cavaliers are forced to dismount. The remake and the sequel in Monshō no Nazo are called "Book 1" and "Book 2" respectively. They have two separate soundtracks. As for the recruiting theme, it is in band style in Book 1 and in orchestral style in Book 2. Book 2's soundtrack is more classical. In Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo, Hardin, former ally of Marth turned King, betrays Marth, and before long, Marth learns that the Dragon King Medeus is still alive. Marth must fight against Hardin in order to restore order to the continent, and once Hardin is killed, secret epilogue chapters can be played in which Marth fights reincarnations of Dark Sage Garnef and Dragon King Medeus.
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Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of the Holy War), Super Famicom (1996)
Field map screenshot from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (in English), Nodion castle shown
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Field map screenshot from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (in English), Nodion castle shown

Main article: Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu

Released in Japan on May 14, 1996, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　聖戦の系譜) is the most imported Fire Emblem game. It has been very popular through emulation in the United States, especially since the release of Super Smash Bros. Melee, which virtually lacks reference to this Super Famicom game, and it is therefore an import classic. Many who played Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu studied Japanese. According to the official Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken site by Nintendo of America, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu was the most successful game in the Fire Emblem series. It deviates from the standard Fire Emblem gameplay mechanisms to some extent.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu takes place in the continent of Jugdral (pronounced YOOG-druhl and based on the Norse mythological name Yggdrasil), located about southeast from Akaneia. The country at the center of Jugdral is called Grandbell. The other countries are the Kingdom of Isaac (pronounced ih-ZAHRK in the game as the katakana transcription suggests, not "eye-zick" as in the Bible), the Kingdom of Silesia, the Lords Dominion of Agustria, Manster District, the Kingdom of Thracia, and the Kingdom of Verdane. The first half of the game stars Sigurd (also known as Siglud, according to Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu: TREASURE), the prince of Chalphy (pronounced SHAL-fee), son of Byron (TREASURE:Vylon), a descendant of Baldo. His Chalphian squad includes Arden (a heavy-armored knight), Noish (a social knight), and Alec (a social knight). He has a younger sister named Ethlin and a brother-in-law and close friend Cuan, prince of Lenster. Sigurd and his forces meet their destiny at the end of the fifth chapter. In chapter two, Sigurd marries Diadora, who first appeared in chapter one. In chapter five, their destiny is delivered by Alvis and the Thracian army. The second half of the game stars Selis (TREASURE: Celice), son of Sigurd, and his forces, who are either children of the characters in the first half or substitute characters that replace them. Fin, a knight of Lenster, is the only character in the game who fights in both halves of the game. He also starred in Fire Emblem: Thracia 776. Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu has great graphics and sound for a Super NES game. Gunpei Yokoi was the producer of this game. Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu has the largest soundtrack of any Fire Emblem game, composed of 114 tracks. It has been considered Tsujiyoko's largest work.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu starts off with a prologue beginning with the army of the Kingdom of Grandbell attacking the nearby Kingdom of Isaac, and the army of Verdane invading Grandbell, which has only a handful of remaining soldiers: Sigurd, Noish, Alec, and Arden. The first enemy message is when Edin (TREASURE:Adean), the daughter of Lord Ring, of Jungby Castle gets captured by Gandolf of Marpha Castle of Verdane and gets taken to Verdane. Sigurd had no choice but to take up arms in order to rescue Adean. At the end of the prologue, Sigurd seizes Evans Castle and makes it his army's home base in Chapters 1 and 2. At the beginning of Chapter 1, Eltshan shows up and meets with Sigurd. Meanwhile, Kinbois passes the enemy message to the Genoa Castle army. Then Ira and Shanan from Isaac (pronounced ih-ZAHK in the game) talk with Kinbois, and Ira says no to double-crossing. At the player's second turn, Adean escapes with Dew the thief. After Sigurd conquers Genoa Castle, thus saving Shanan, he convinces Ira to defect to his army. Shortly thereafter, a fight breaks out between Nodion Castle and Evans Castle. The border guard informed Eltshan, the king of Nodion Castle, about the Heirhein Castle army attempting to seize Evans Castle. Eltshan and his cross knights marched on and easily defeated the Heirhein knights, commanded by Elliot.

The storyline of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu comes out to be similar to that of Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo, as Garnef strives to revive the Dark Dragon Medeus, Manfroy strives to revive the Dark Lord Loputousu.
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Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, Super Famicom (1999, 2000)
Screenshot from Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
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Screenshot from Fire Emblem: Thracia 776

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　トラキア776) is the last game ever released for the Super Famicom. Therefore, it is the Super Famicom finale. It is the midquel to Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. It happens between chapters five and six of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. It stars Leaf, the son of Cuan and Ethlin; his guardian Fin who took him into hiding in chapter five of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, and a host of many other characters, including characters from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. Leaf retaliates against the Thracian army because of what they did to his parents. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 introduces night combat, which is only portions of the map are shown and the others blacked out. A torch is needed to light the way in night combat. This is also called "fog of war." Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 also introduced the Rescue feature known to players of the US edition of Fire Emblem on GBA, although in this game, you can capture enemies. Some characters from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, including Fin, have been carried over to Thracia 776, and some other Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu characters have been merely mentioned in Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, such as Sigurd, Levin, Beowulf, and Lachesis. The graphics of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 are slightly better than those of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu.

Spoiler Warning: Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 contains spoilers for Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, both in Japanese and in English. Therefore, it is not recommended to play Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 before playing Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu for the first time.
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Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi (Sword of Seals), Game Boy Advance (2002)
Screenshot Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi
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Screenshot Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi

Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi (ファイアーエムブレム　封印の剣) stars Roy, who had previously appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It takes place on the continent of Elibe (or Ereb, in the original Japanese version). Roy leads the League of Lycia's army against the forces from the militant country of Bern shortly after his father falls ill. He is the son of the Marquess of Pherae.

The story begins when King Zephiel, ruler of the Kingdom of Bern, finishes the brutal conquest of Ilia and Sacae and sets his sights on Lycia. With the war coming to his own country, Roy is sent home to lead Pherae's army to oppose Bern, but soon after he meets Guinivere, the princess of Bern. With the stalwart general Hector's faithful farewells, Roy carries on the Lycian League and makes many promises: to protect Guinivere, Hector's beloved daughter Lilina, and most importantly, to save the entire continent from Zephiel's mysterious thirst for world domination.

Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi was released in Japan in 2002. Rumours of a U.S. release ran for quite a while, but most of them have died out by now. There is an online download that is an English translation of the game. It is obtainable at the FESS forums (see External Links).

Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi also has versions of songs from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. The arena battle theme was originally the player battle theme of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. The recruit theme of Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi is the same as the recruit theme of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu.

There are many efforts for Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi to come to the United States, whether through online forum organizations (ex. Nintendo.com's Lords and Swords Alliance) or online petitons.
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Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword), Game Boy Advance (2003)
Screenshot Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken
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Screenshot Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken

Main article: Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken

Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム烈火の剣, Translation: Blazing Sword or Sword of Fire, Blazing Sword being the most popular term) is the first Fire Emblem game to be released in the United States. It was developed with a North American release in mind. It is the prequel to Fire Emblem: Fûin no Tsurugi, in which you battle a group called the Black Fang. The first part stars Lyndis, the first female character to be in the Lord class. The later part stars Eliwood (Roy's father) as he goes to search for his missing father. The alternate later part stars Hector, the first member of the Lord class to wield an axe. Although most of Hector's quest is the same as Eliwood's, his quest features a handful of addtional levels and characters, as well as an overall increased difficulty (which is even more pronounced in the hard mode). If any one of these 3 lords dies at any point in the game, the game is over. The game has an in-game tutorial (Lyn's Quest) and versions of songs from the original Fire Emblem game (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi) and Fire Emblem: Thracia 776. The recruit theme of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken was originally the recruit theme of Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi. The arena battle theme of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken was originally the player battle theme of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776.
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Fire Emblem: (US/UK: The Sacred Stones JP: Seima no Kōseki), Game Boy Advance (JP: October 2004, US: 5/23/2005 UK: 04 Nov 2005)
Screenshot of Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
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Screenshot of Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Main article: Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Fire Emblem: Seima no Kōseki (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム聖魔の光石) is the third portable Fire Emblem game on Game Boy Advance. Unlike the previous two, this one takes place on a brand new continent called Magvel, which was populated by evil monsters. Men once sealed the evil forces using the five Holy Jewels, which later became heirlooms to the five different royal families. The game starts out with the Empire of Grado conquering the Kingdom of Renais. Unfortunately, the crown prince, Ephraim, had gone to the front line of battle, but all contact with him was lost. Knowing that he would not stand much of a chance against the Grado's superior forces, King Fado orders the loyal Seth to escort Princess Eirika to the neighboring kingdom of Frelia and seek help.

Henceforth you can start gathering new characters to improve you fighting force. Despite starting the game as Eirika, you would later be reunited with her twin brother and then you'll be given the choice to choose your own main Lord between the two. The following chapters will then be different depending on your choice. You will begin on your quest to pay a visit to the many countries of Magvel and gather allies in order to defeat the villain who unleashed this unspeakable power of darkness in the first place. Seth gives Ephraim and Eirika their divine weapons, which are the Siegmund and Sieglinde respectively.

The game boasts sub-maps and a class change system that allows the player to select a class to upgrade to. It also beefs up level-building capability. The game also introduces apprentice classes - weak classes that are set below the first tier of classes, allowing characters that start in them to have an extra nine levels of growth. Fire Emblem: Seima no Kōseki has a gameplay engine reminiscing that of Fire Emblem Gaiden.

Fire Emblem: Seima no Kōseki was scored by Saki Haruyama, Yoshihiko Kitamura, and Yoshito Hirano, and under the supervision of Yuka Tsujiyoko. The arena battle theme of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kōseki was originally the player battle theme of Fire Emblem Gaiden.

The official website can be found at http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/be8j/

Fire Emblem: Seima no Kôseki was released in the U.S. as Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones on May 23, 2005.
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Fire Emblem: Sōen no Kiseki (US/UK: Path of Radiance JP:Path of the Blue Flame), GameCube (JP: 4/20/2005 US:10/17/2005 UK: 04 Nov 2005)
Screenshot depicting Fire Emblem's new 3D look in Fire Emblem: Sōen no Kiseki
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Screenshot depicting Fire Emblem's new 3D look in Fire Emblem: Sōen no Kiseki

Fire Emblem: Sōen no Kiseki (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム蒼炎の軌跡) is the first game in the series for the Nintendo GameCube, which makes it Fire Emblem's first return to the home consoles since Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 for the Super Famicom and also the first Fire Emblem to be released in North America on a console. The game takes place in a land called Tellius and features a completely new cast. The graphics are rendered in a three-dimensional, cel-shaded manner similar to Dragon Quest VIII, Dark Cloud 2, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. It has been speculated that this decision was made in order to soften the animated violence and/or preserve the graphical style of previous titles in the series. Nintendo has confirmed that this game will be released outside Japan as Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.

Fire Emblem: Sōen no Kiseki will be the first game in the series to use Full Motion Video, and, like Final Fantasy X, the game makes good use of that.

Sources can be found here (English) and here (Japanese).
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Notes and regional record

Two Fire Emblem characters, Marth and Roy, are secret characters in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Marth starred in Fire Emblem: Ankoku no Ryû to Hikari no Tsurugi (Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light), and Fire Emblem: Monshô no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem). Roy starred in Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (Sealed Sword). Super Smash Bros. Melee virtually lacks reference to Fire Emblem Gaiden, Seisen no Keifu, and Thracia 776. According to the official Japanese site of Nintendo, Marth was put in Super Smash Bros. Melee upon Japan's request, although Fire Emblem was unheard of in North America and Europe prior to the time of Super Smash Bros. Melee. He was developed for Super Smash Bros. Melee expecting that he would be dummied out of the North American version of the game. However, he was well-crafted, earning him extended attention in North America. Eventually, by the decision of Nintendo of America, he was included in the North American version of Super Smash Bros. Melee the same way as in the Japanese version. Roy was developed for Super Smash Bros. Melee for the purpose of advertising Fire Emblem: Fûin no Tsurugi. Marth and Roy later became immensely popular in North America and Europe.

Of the Fire Emblem series, the games before Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken were marketed exclusively in Japan. The last Japan-only installment, Fire Emblem: Fûin no Tsurugi still has a chance for localization to North America and Europe. Fan translations of the first five Fire Emblem games are underway, being translated from Japanese to English. North America has been showing interest in the Fire Emblem series since the invention of game emulation, or since the release of Super Smash Bros. Melee. If any of the Fire Emblem games before Rekka no Ken get remade for Nintendo GameCube or a later Nintendo console, they will probably get the opportunity to come to North America, Europe, and Australia.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door has a reference to Fire Emblem.
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History-making characters

Several Fire Emblem characters have made history in the Fire Emblem series.

* Marth - From Fire Emblem: Ankoku no Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo, is the first Lord, and, also, the only Lord who kept his position during two games. He also appeared as a secret playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
* Jeigan - From Fire Emblem: Ankoku no Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi, is the first character of the archetype "Jeigan" and gave the name to the well known archetype.
* Celica - From Fire Emblem Gaiden, is the first female main character.
* Sigurd - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, is the first in the Lord class to have exceptional stats and the first Lord to be mounted on a horse.
* Lex - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, is the series' first axefighter on horseback.
* Ira - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, is the first popular female swordfighter, and the first female character to start a class that is also held by male characters. She is one of the most popular Fire Emblem characters. She is the originator of the Myrmidon and Swordmaster classes, which have become favorites among fans.
* Leaf - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu and Thracia 776, is the first in the Lord class to have a hair color that is not blue.
* Roy - From Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, is featured as an unlockable character, similar to Marth but with more power and less speed, in Super Smash Bros. Melee. He appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee before appearing in his own Fire Emblem game. Additionally, he makes a cameo appearance as a child in Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
* Sue - From Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, is the series' first female archer on horseback. She is the daughter of Rath from Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
* Lyndis - From Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, is the first female character to be in the Lord class. A female Lord is sometimes called a Lady.
* Hector - From Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, is the first in the Lord class to wield an axe.
* Eirika - From Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, is the first female character to be the game's main Lord all the way through game ending.
* Ephraim - From Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, is the first in the Lord class to wield a lance on foot.

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List of Fire Emblem character archetypes

Fire Emblem is known for having traditions by imposing character archetypes. Archetypes are named by the character to first have their specific qualities.

* Jeigan - A term used for a prepromoted character who starts out to be a vastly strong unit, but deteriorates in utility throughout the game, levels up very slowly, gains almost no experience against enemies who are otherwise advantageous against other characters, has extremely low stat growths, and becomes surpassed by most of the game's initially unpromoted units and ends up being a completely worthless unit by the end of the Fire Emblem game, but is a mentor to a character holding the Lord class, and is usually a Paladin. Jeigan appears at the beginning of Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo Book 1, as Marth's mentor. In Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo Book 2, he appears as a non-playable character. Alan of Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo Book 2 is Jeigan on steroids. Other Jeigan characters include Oifey of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Dagda of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776. Marcus of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Seth of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, and Titania of Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki. Seth is regarded the strongest Jeigan, with Oifey as the second strongest. Jeigan characters are appealing to players who are new to the Fire Emblem video game franchise, but they are usually frowned upon by larger fans. Dagda was the first non-Paladin Jeigan, being a Warrior. Several players do not consider Seth and Titania true Jeigans, because they have good stat growths and remain useful for the entire game. In fact, Seth has more total stat growth than any of the other Cavaliers in Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki. This is however offset by his lowish starting statistics, which leads to him having lower-to-similar stats to the rest of the Paladins in the game (sans Orson) on average.

* Est - A term used for a late-coming unpromoted unit who seems to be worthless at first, but has very high stat growths and ends up being a vastly strong unit by the end of the game. An Est can be considered to be the exact opposite of Jeigan. Est appears in Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and in Book 1 of Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo. She appears a bit earlier in Book 2. Farina and Nino are Est-like characters of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.

* Doga - A term used for a heavy-armoured unit who is big and strong and reliable. Apart from Doga, such characters include Ardan of Fire Emblem: Seisen No Keifu, Bors of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Oswin of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Gilliam of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, and Gatrie of Fire Emblem: Souen No Kiseki. Marty of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 is also part-Doga with high overall defensive ability for a non-Jeigan who joins in Chapter 1.

* Kain - A term used for a very handsome man who is a red-armoured or orange-armoured cavalier and has ties with a green-armoured cavalier, and relies on HP, strength, and defense. Apart from Kain, such characters include Noish of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Klyce of Tear Ring Saga: Yutona Eiyuu Senki, Alan of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Kent of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Forde of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, and Kevin of Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki.

* Abel - A term used for a green-armoured or jade-armoured cavalier (or some other unpromoted class) who has ties with a red-armoured cavalier, and who relies on speed, skill, accuracy, and luck. Some of such characters are notorious womanizers. Apart from Abel, such characters include Alec of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Archis of Tear Ring Saga: Yutona Eiyuu Senki, Lance of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Sain of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Kyle of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, and Oscar of Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki.

* Oguma - A term used for a sophisticated swordfighter who is a mercenary and knows good values of a swordfighter, and has high HP and strength and maxes out early in the game. Ogma himself appears in Chapter 1 of Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo Book 1. Other Oguma characters include Holyn of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Dieck of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Raven of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Gerik (Jist) of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, and Soanevalcke of Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki.

* Nabarl - A term used for a swordfighter who is very swift, faster than the Oguma character, appearing first as a dangerous enemy and difficult to recruit. Nabarl appears as an enemy in Chapter 3 of both Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and of Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo Book 1, chasing Julian and Rena along with the Samshan bandits, and is recruited to Marth's army by Sheeda. Nabarl also fights in Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo Book 2. Other Nabarls include Ayra of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Rutger and Fil of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Guy of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Joshua (Jhosua) and Marisa (Marika) of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, and Zihark of Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki. Ayra was the first female of the archetype and arguably the most difficult and rewarding one to recruit. She has the potential to be the strongest of all Nabarls due to the higher strength caps given to Swordmasters in her game. Lakche, Shanan, Mareeta, and Wayu do not count as Nabarls, because they do not start off as enemies. Nabarls are usually killed off as enemies by players who are new to the Fire Emblem video game franchise, but they are praised by some Fire Emblem fans who have been playing longer. Nabarls sometimes become a favourite character for fans who killed them off in their first playthrough.

* Julian - A term used for a thief who seems to be useless but has the potential to be useful in battle, not just in map interaction. Julians will typically support your army's cause naturally. Julian is first found trying to help Rena escape from the Samshan Bandits in Chapter 3 of both Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo. Other Julians are Dew from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu 1st Generation, Patty/Daisy of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu 2nd Generation, Rifis of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, Yuni of Tear Ring Saga: Yutona Eiyuu Senki, Chad of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Matthew of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Colm of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, and Volke of Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki.

* Rena - A term used for a female healer who appears very early in the game. Rena appears with Julian and is being pursued by Nabarl. Other Renas include Adean (Aideen) of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu 1st Generation, Rana of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu 2nd Generation, Saphy of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, Ende of Tear Ring Saga: Yuton Eiyuu Senki, Ellen of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Serra of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Natasha of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, and Mist of Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki.

* Maric - A term used for a magic-using character who usually uses Wind magic. Maric appears in Chapter 4 of Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu To Hikari No Tsurugi and Book 1 of Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo. In Book 2 of Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo, Maric appears in Chapter 9 as a character to be saved from attack and then joins Marth's army in the following chapter. Levin, the Maric character of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu and the prince of Silesia, fights during the first half and serves as an advisor during the second half. Other Marics include Asvel of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 and Marj of Tear Ring Saga: Yutona Eiyuu Senki.
* Ellis - A term used for a low-levelled magic-using character who joins late and doesn't really make up for it if your characters are built up well enough. Ellis starts at a very low level. Ellis charcters include Ellis of Ankoku no Ryu to hikari no tsurugi, Yodel of Fuuin no Tsurugi, Renault of Rekka no Ken, and Ewan of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki.
* Gato - A term used for a character who joins VERY late, usually last, but with above average stats so that armies that enter the last section of the campaign with weak characters can stand a chance. Gato was playable only in the last chapter of Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu To Hikari No Tsurugi and was not made playable in either Book of Fire Emblem: Monshou No Nazo. Other Gato characters include Galzus of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 and Athos of Fire Emblem: Rekka No Ken.

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Mythological/Classical References

Fire Emblem has extensive mythological references.

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Norse Mythology

Jugdral Universe

Places

* Jugdral - Derived from the World Tree, Yggdrasil.
* Jungby - Derived from Yngvi, an alternate name for the god Freyr.

People

* Sigurd of Chalphy - Named after the hero of Norse mythology.
* Alvis of Velthomer - Named after a dwarf who made weapons for several of the gods.
* Cigyun of Yied Desert - Derived from Sigyn, one of Loki's wives.
* Heim the Crusader - Derived from Heimdall.
* Baldo the Crusader - Derived from Baldr.
* Odo the Crusader - Derived from Ódr.
* Ulir the Crusader - Derived from Ullr
* Sety the Crusader and Sety of Silesia - Derived from Forseti.
* Dain the Crusader - Derived from Dainn, a stag which feeds on Yggdrasil.
* Blagi the Crusader - Derived from Bragi.

Things

* The Legendary 'Divine Sword', Balmunk - Derived from Balmung (alt. Gram), the sword the mythological Sigurd used to slay the dragon Fafnir.
* The Legendary 'Demon Sword', Mistolteen - Derived from Mistelteinn, a sword from various areas of Norse Mythology. In some versions of the Death of Baldr, the Mistelteinn is a sword (usually made of mistletoe) used to kill the god Baldr instead of the usual dart/arrow/spear of mistletoe. In other stories it is the sword of a hero named Hrómundar, who was not connected to Baldr or his death. Incidentally, mistletoe does not grow in that part of the world.
* The Legendary 'Holy Sword', Tailfing - Derived from Tyrfing, a sword that was forged and cursed by the dwarfs.
* The Legendary 'Air Lance', Gunguneel - Derived from Gungnir, Odin's spear.
* The Legendary Bow, Ichaival - Derived through a fairly complex route from Ydalir, the home of the god Ullr. Ydalir is referred to as the valley of the yews... イチイの谷 in Japanese. Ichii no Tani as a strict romanization, but mix languages and you get Ichii Valley... or Ichiival (which is the 'exact' romanisation of the weapon's name, as opposed the given romanisation Ichaival).
* The Dark Magic tome Jormungand (alt. Yotsmungand) - Named after the Midgard Serpent.
* The Dark Magic tome Hel - Named after the queen of the underworld.
* The Legendary Dark Magic tome, Loputousu - Derived from Lopt, an alternate name for Loki.
o The three minor dark tomes in this part of the series, Jormungand, Hel, and Fenrir, are the three children of Loki.

Elibe Universe

People

* Idoun, the mysterious advisor to King Zephiel from Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi - Derived from the Norse goddess Idun, the protector of a tree with apples of eternal youth, reserved for only the gods.

Things

* Mani Katti - Mani derives from the Norse moon god, pursued eternally by the wolf Hati.
* Sol Katti - Sol derives from the Norse sun goddess, pursued eternally by the wolf Skoll.

Magvel Universe

People

* Glen, Grado's 'Sunstone' General from Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (Seima no Kouseki) - Named after husband of the Norse goddess of sun, Sol.

Things

* The Legendary 'Winged Lance', Vidofnir - Named after an eagle/rooster that lives in Yggdrasil and quarrels frequently with the serpent Nidhogg.
* The Legendary 'Serpent Bow', Nidhogg - Named after one of the serpents that chews upon the roots of Yggdrasil and quarrels frequently with the eagle Vidofnir.
* The Legendary 'Fire Lance' Siegmund - Named after the Volsungian character, Sigmund. The name Siegmund is the German version from Wagner's Die Walküre.
* The Legendary 'Storm Blade', Sieglinde - Named after the Volsungian character, Siglinde. Sigmund's twin sister. The name Sieglinde is the German version from Wagner's Die Walküre.
* The Legendary 'Black Axe', Garm - Named after the four eyed dog guarding the gate of the underworld and will signal the beginning of Ragnarok.
* The Legendary Dark Magic tome, Gleipnir - Named after the chains that bind Fenrir.
* The Legendary Light Magic tome, Ivaldi - Named after the watchman of the Spring of Hvergelmir. He is the father of Idun.
* The Legendary 'Ice Blade', Audhulma - Derived from Auðumbla, the name of the primordial cow that licked away ice to form the beginnings of the universe.
* Prince Lyon's Dark Magic tome, Naglfar - Named after the ship made completely from the nails of the dead. It will be pilotted by Hymir during Ragnarok.

Cross-universe

Things

* The Dark Magic tome Fenrir from the english versions of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken and Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, and from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu and Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 - Named after the wolf destined to consume Odin during Ragnarok.
* The Anima Magic ice tome Fimbulvetr from Fire Emblem: Fuuin No Tsurugi, Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, and Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki - Named after the winter of winters that will precede Ragnarok.

[edit]

Celtic Mythology

Jugdral Universe

People

* Cuan of Lenster - Derived from both Cúchulainn and Cian. Cúchulainn was the user of the Gae Bolg spear, and Cian was married to Ethniu.
* Ethlin of Chalphy - Named after Ethlinn (alt. Ethniu). Ethlinn was the wife of Cian. One of her sons was Lugh, an ancestor of Finn.
* Fin of Lenster - Named after Finn (alt. Fionn), one of the foremost Celtic heroes.
* Aideen of Jungby - Named after Aideen (alt. Étaín). Second wife of Midir.
* Midir of Jungby - Named after Midir the Proud. Husband of Etain.
* Tiltyu of Freege - Derives from the name Tailtiu, the foster mother of the god Lugh
* Brigid of Jungby - Derives from the name Brighid the daughter of Dagda
* Dagda of Purple Dragon Mountain - Named after Dagda, the supreme god
* Fergus

Elibe Universe

People

* Lugh - Named after the god in Celtic Mythology
* Erk

[edit]

Arthurian Mythology

Jugdral Universe

People

* Tristan of Nodion, a cavalier - From the Arthurian ballad of the tragic lovers Tristan and Isolde.

Elibe Universe

People

* Guinivere, the princess of Bern and half-sister of Zephiel - Derived from the Arthur's queen Guinevere.
* Igrene, the guardian of the Nabata Desert - Named after Arthur's mother, Igraine.
* Percival, the Knight General of Etruria - Named after a Knight of Camelot.
* Mordred, the King of Etruria - named after the son of Arthur
* Bors, an Ostian knight - Also named after a Knight of Camelot.
* Ninian, the dancer - Derived from the name of the Lady of the Lake.
* Pent, Count Reglay of Etruria - Derived from Pant of the Lanzelet.
* Hellene, the Queen of Bern - Derived from Helaine, also from the Lanzelet.

Telius Universe

Things

* Amite, the royal sword of Crimea - Named after one of the people purported to have borne the Holy Grail.
* Ettard, the Dark Knight's personal sword - Named after the maiden Ettard, who was loved by the knight Pelleas.
* Gulgrant, Ashnard's personal sword - named after the cannibal king, Gurgurant. His son is killed by a giant and is avenged by Gawain.
* Ragnell, Ike's personal sword - Named after Dame Ragnell, a hag who offers to help Gawain find an answer to a riddle set for King Arthur, provided he marries her afterwards.

Cross-universe

Things

* Excalibur, an Anima Magic tome from Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu To Hikari No Tsurugi through Fire Emblem: Monshou No Nazo, the English version of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, and Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki - Named after one of King Arthur's legendary swords.

[edit]

Greek and Roman Mythology

Jugdral Universe

Places

* Thracia - from the Thracia of Greece

People

* Rackesis (Lachesis) - from the name of one of the Moirae, the Three Fates.

Elibe Universe

Places

* Pherae - from the Pherae of Greece
* Lycia - from the Lycia of Turkey, contained within the Roman Empire
* Etruria - from Etruria, an ancient country within Italy that diminished before the Roman Empire was established

Magvel Universe

People

* Tethys, a dancer - from the name of the sea goddess, the titaness Tethys

Things

* Metis's tome, an item - from Metis, the mother of Athena

Cross-universe

Things

* Luna, a dark tome - the Roman name of Selene, the moon goddess

[edit]

Biblical Mythology

Akaneia Universe

People

* Kain, the 'red' cavalier - Named after one of the first two sons of Adam and Eve.
* Abel, the 'green' cavalier - Named after the other of Adam and Eve's first two sons.

Elibe Universe

People

* Noah, a knight of Ostia - Named after the overseer of the construction of the Biblical Ark.

Magvel Universe

People

* Ephraim, the prince of Renais - likely named after the biblical patriarch, Ephraim
* Myrrh, a manakete - one of the three treasures presented by the Magi
* Seth, a General of Renais - Named after Adam and Eve's third son. (disputable since Seth is a rather mainstream name)
* Joshua, a myrmidon from Jehanna - from Moses' successor as leader of the Israelites and one of the line of Ephraim (disputable since Joshua is a mainstream name)

[edit]

Islamic Mythology

Magvel Universe

People

* Saleh, a sage - named after a prophet in the Qu'ran

[edit]

Babylonian Mythology

Elibe Universe

People

* Nergal, the antagonist of Rekka no Ken - from a god-king from Babylonian history.

Things

* Ereshkigal, Nergal's most powerful dark tome - Also from Babylonian history; is named for the goddess of the underworld, who was also Nergal's wife.

[edit]

French Mythology

Elibe Universe

People

* Barrigan, one of the Eight Heroes and founder of the Knights' Union of Ilia - derived from Baligant, the name of a character from The Song of Roland
* Bramimond, one of the Eight Heroes - named after a queen in The Song of Roland.
* Durban, one of the Eight Heroes - derived from Turpin, an archbishop from The Song of Roland.
* Ganelon Bandits - Named after Ganelon, a character in the Song of Roland.
* Roland, one of the Eight Heroes and founder of Lycia - named for a French hero of the same name, from The Song of Roland.

Things

* Armads, Durban's legendary Axe of Lightning - Derived from Almace, Turpin's weapon in The Song of Roland.
* Durandal, Roland's legendary Sword of Flame - Named after the sword of the legendary French hero, Roland.
* Malte, Barrigan's legendary Spear of Ice and Snow - Derived from Maltet, a weapon in The Song of Roland.
* Mulgre, Hanon's legendary Bow of Winds - Derived from Murgleis, a weapon in The Song of Roland.

[edit]

Polynesian Mythology

Akaneia Universe

People

* Paora of Gra

Jugdral Universe

People

* Ira of Isaac
* Mana of Isaac

Norse mythology and Celtic mythology are the most prominent contributors to names in the Fire Emblem series.
[edit]

See also

* List of character classes
* Table of Fire Emblem characters
* Fan translation
* Nintendo Wars
* Tear Ring Saga

[edit]

Soundtrack - MIDI

* Theme of Fire Emblem - Seisen no Keifu version
* Together, We Ride! - Rekka no Ken

[edit]

External links
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:
Fire Emblem

Sites:

* Intelligent Systems - Fire Emblem - Intelligent Systems' newer Fire Emblem site. Has not been updated since Rekka.
* Intelligent Systems - Fire Emblem - Intelligent Systems' old Fire Emblem site. No longer updated.
* Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 - Official Japanese site for Fire Emblem: Thracia 776.
* Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi - Official Japanese site for Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi.
* Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken - Official Japanese site for Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
* Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki - Official Japanese site for Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki.
* Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki - Official Japanese site for Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki.
* Official Site of Fire Emblem: Trading Card Game (Japanese)
* Fire Emblem Wiki
* Irregular Winds - Fan site for Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu.
* Fire Emblem Empire - Fan site for Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu.
* Sigurd's Pants - Fan site for Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu.
* The Mamkute from 20,000 Fathoms - Fan site for Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken/Fire Emblem. The first English FE websites to appear.
* Fire Emblem: Santuary of Strategy - Fan site for all known Fire Emblem games, and related items. Brainchild of TerranigmaFreak and captamzai.
* History of Fire Emblem - A thorough history of the Fire Emblem series.
* Emblem Inferno
* Fire Emblem Fusion Website - One of the first English Fire Emblem sites. Reborn since August '03. Still under construction.
* Fire Emblem Planet - Fan Site. Has one of the Internet's largest collection of Fire Emblem game sprites.
* Fire Emblem Evolution - Fan Site.
* Fire Emblem Online - A Fire Emblem Fan site covering the latest in Fire Emblem games, from Fe6 to Fe9.

Forums:

* FESS Forum - Large Fire Emblem dedicated forum. Brainchild of TerranigmaFreak and captamzai.
* Fire Emblem Planet Forums - Large Fire Emblem forum with an text roleplay.
* Fire Emblem Fusion - Fire Emblem forum with several roleplays.
* Fire Emblem Wars - A Fire Emblem RPG Forum that mirrors the Fire Emblem games.
* Elibe Clan Wars - Another Fire Emblem roleplay forum. Oddly enough, the board switched its RPG to the Magvel continent of Fire Emblem 8 during the summer of 2005, so the board name is a bit of a misnomer.
* Fire Emblem Arena Battle League - A Fire Emblem board where you get to create a character with stats and growths, and then battle them against other members' characters. Also has roleplaying.

Misc:

* GameFAQs search for all Fire Emblem titles
* FanFiction.net: Fire Emblem - The Fire Emblem category in a large fan fiction site
* Unofficial arrangements (ReMixes) of Fire Emblem: The Dark Dragon and the Sword of Light's soundtrack at OverClocked ReMix

Fire Emblem

2005-10-06T01:46:00.002-07:00

Fire Emblem (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム) is a popular strategy and role-playing video game franchise, developed by Intelligent Systems, and published by Nintendo. It is from the developers of Advance Wars, from the Nintendo Wars series. It was created by Shouzou Kaga, who later developed Tear Ring Saga. The Fire Emblem franchise has graced the Famicom, Super Famicom, Game Boy Advance, and there will soon be a version for Nintendo GameCube. It was confined to Japan until the seventh installment, which was released on the Game Boy Advance in 2003. Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword), for Game Boy Advance, is the first Fire Emblem game to be localized to North America and Europe. It was released in the United States and Europe under the name of "Fire Emblem" without any subtitle. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 is the last game on the Super Famicom. The Fire Emblem series was scored by Yuka Tsujiyoko, the composer for Paper Mario who also scored part of Tetris Attack, except Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, which was scored by Saki Haruyama, Yoshihiko Kitamura, and Yoshito Hirano, under Tsujiyoko's supervision. Shouzou Kaga resigned from Intelligent Systems after Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 and started his own business, Tirnanog.

Death is permanent in a Fire Emblem game if the game progress is saved. Some characters get revived automatically, for example, in Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, if one character dies in Lyndis's story, they get automatically revived in Eliwood's or Hector's story, but lose valuable level-ups. However, if a leading character dies (for example: Lyn, Eliwood, or Hector in Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) or if a home base gets seized by the enemy, the story will cease and the chapter must be replayed. Fire Emblem rivals Final Fantasy in terms of soundtracks. Fire Emblem features many character classes. It is compared to the game of chess in many ways. There is also a Weapon Triangle, which states "Swords beat axes. Axes beat lances. Lances beat swords." Just like rock paper scissors.

The name of Fire Emblem comes from the synopsis of the series first installment that the Fire Emblem was an emblem which was combined with Marth's sword, Falchion (used in Super Smash Bros. Melee), and that only Marth, the wielder of the Emblem, was allowed to wield the Falchion. Marth stars as the betrayed prince in Fire Emblem.

In 1995, an anime OVA (co-produced with KSS) was produced and released; it was closely based on the first three acts of the very first game in the series or more spefically, the remake contained in Monshou no Nazo. See also Fire Emblem (anime)

Table of contents [hide]

1 Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi (Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light), Famicom (1990)

2 Fire Emblem Gaiden (Side-Story), Famicom (1991)

3 Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem), Super Famicom (1993)

4 Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of Holy War), Super Famicom (1996)

5 Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, Super Famicom (1999, 2000)

6 Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (Sealed Sword), Game Boy Advance (2002)

7 Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Game Boy Advance (2003)

8 Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki (The Jewels of Light and Darkness), Game Boy Advance (2004)

9 Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki (Trail of the Blue Flame), GameCube (2005)

10 Notes and regional record

10.1 History-making characters
10.2 Popular Fire Emblem characters
10.3 Controversial Fire Emblem characters

11 Fire Emblem traditions and terminology

12 Mythological references

13 See also

14 Soundtrack - MIDI

15 External links

Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi (Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light), Famicom (1990)

Fire Emblem: Ankoku no Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　暗黒竜と光の剣) is the very first Fire Emblem game. It takes place in Akaneia. It stars Marth, a character who later appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Marth is the first in the Lord class. He is the prince of Aritia. He was sent to exile from that kingdom. His mentor is Jeigan. Jeigan was sworn to guide and protect Marth all through the game. He is an old but powerful knight. Dohga, a heavy-armored knight, is a member of Jeigan's squad. Gordon is an archer for the Aritian army, and Ryan is his brother. Abel is one of Aritia's top soldiers, and Kain is his brother. There is also a Pegasus Knight known as Sheeda.

Fire Emblem Gaiden (Side-Story), Famicom (1991)

Fire Emblem Gaiden (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム外伝) is a side story to the original Fire Emblem. It is the last Fire Emblem game on the Famicom. It stars Alm and Celica. Alm and Celica knew each other since they were children. They each run a separate army. Alm's party is usually larger and stronger than Celica's party. Several characters, including Paola, from the original Fire Emblem made a comeback in Fire Emblem Gaiden.

The game takes place in the continent of Valencia, over a span of 5 "Chapters". As each "Chapter" unfolds more of the map is revealed, for players to traverse on. There are two kingdoms: Rigel and Sofia. Alm doesn't know at first, but he is later revealed to be the Prince of Rigel (Rudolf I's son). Celica is the Princess of Sofia, and she also appears to be a priestess of Mira, a goddess. Fire Emblem gaiden was the first Fire Emblem game where the two "Lords" or heroes could actually promote. Alm's starting class is Fighter and he promotes into a Hero. Celica is a Shinkan（神官）, or more traditionally known as a Priestess, and she promotes into a Princess.

It should be noted however that some of the Gaiden gameplay mechanisms have finally made a proper comeback in the most recent Game Boy Advance game Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki.

Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem), Super Famicom (1993)

Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　紋章の謎) is Fire Emblem's first Super Famicom (SNES) installment. The events of the original Fire Emblem game were reinvented into this game. Monshou no Nazo mainly has the direct sequel to the original game, and also stars Marth. Most of the characters from the original Fire Emblem game returned in Monshou no Nazo. Monshou no Nazo held the no. 1 position on the Famitsu chart for one year. Also introduced is the Dismount command, having a cavalier get off a horse. In Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo, cavaliers can only use lances when on horseback and swords when on foot. In interior, or in-door, chapters of the game, cavaliers are forced to dismount. The remake and the sequel in Monshou no Nazo are called "Book 1" and "Book 2" respectively. They have two separate soundtracks. As for the recruiting theme, it is in band style in Book 1 and in orchestral style in Book 2. Book 2's soundtrack is more classical.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of Holy War), Super Famicom (1996)

Main Article: Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu

Released in Japan on May 14, 1996, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　聖戦の系譜) is the most imported Fire Emblem game. It has been very popular through emulation in the United States, especially since the release of Super Smash Bros. Melee, which virtually lacks reference to this Super Famicom game, and it is therefore an import classic. Many who played Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu studied Japanese. According to the official Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken site by Nintendo of America, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu was the most successful game in the Fire Emblem series. It deviates from the standard Fire Emblem gameplay mechanisms to some extent.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu takes place in the continent of Jugdral (pronounced YOOG-druhl), located about southeast from Akaneia. The country at the center of Jugdral is called Grandbell. The other countries are the Kingdom of Isaac, the Kingdom of Silesia, the Lords Dominion of Agustria, Manster District, the Kingdom of Thracia, and the Kingdom of Verdane. The first half of the game stars Sigurd (also known as Siglud, according to Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu: TREASURE), the prince of Chalphy (pronounced SHAL-fee), son of Byron (also known as Vylon in TREASURE), a descendant of Baldo. His Chalphian squad includes Arden (a heavy-armored knight), Noish (a social knight), and Alec (a social knight). He has a younger sister named Ethlin and a brother-in-law and close friend Cuan, prince of Lenster. Sigurd and his forces meet their destiny at end of the fifth chapter. At the beginning of chapter two, Sigurd marries Diadora, who first appeared in chapter one. In chapter five, their destiny is delivered by Alvis and the Thracian army. The second half of the game stars Selis (also known as Celice according to TREASURE), son of Sigurd, and his forces, who are either children of the characters in the first half or substitute characters that replace them. Fin, a knight of Lenster, is the only character in the game who fights in both halves of the game. He also starred in Fire Emblem: Thracia 776. Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu has great graphics and sound for a Super NES game. Chapter one opens with the appearance of Eltshan, the king of Nodion. Gunpei Yokoi was the producer of this game. Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu has the largest soundtrack of any Fire Emblem game, composed of 114 tracks. It has been considered Tsujiyoko's largest work.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu starts off with a prologue beginning with the army of the Kingdom of Grandbell attacking the Kingdom of Isaac nearby and the army of Verdane invading Grandbell, having only a handful of remaining soldiers, who are Sigurd, Noish, Alec, and Arden to fight off the Verdanian invasion. The first enemy message is when Edin (also known as Adean according to TREASURE), the daughter of Lord Ring, of Jungby Castle gets captured by Gandolf of Marpha Castle of Verdane and gets taken to Verdane. Siglud had no choice but to take up arms in order to rescue Adean. At the end of the prologue, Siglud seizes Evans Castle and made it his army's home base in Chapters 1 and 2. At the beginning of Chapter 1, Eltshan shows up and meets with Siglud. Meanwhile, Kinbois passes the enemy message to the Genoa Castle army. Then Ira and Shanan from Isaac (pronounced ih-ZAHK in the game) talk with Kinbois, and Ira says no to double-crossing. At the player's second turn, Adean escapes with Dew the thief. After Sigurd conquers Genoa Castle, he convinces Ira to defect to his army. Shortly thereafter, a fight outbreaks between Nodion Castle and Evans Castle. The border guard informed Eltshan, the king of Nodion Castle, about the Heirhein Castle army attempting to seize Evans Castle. Eltshan and his cross knights marched on and easily defeated the Heirhein knights, commanded by Elliot.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu is the first Fire Emblem game to have a Trading Card Game (Fire Emblem: Trading Card Game) based on it, since 2001. Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo entered into the Trading Card Game decks three years later.

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, Super Famicom (1999, 2000)

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム　トラキア776) is the last game ever released for the Super Famicom. Therefore, it is the Super Famicom finale. It is the midquel to Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. It happens between chapters five and six of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. It stars Leaf, the son of Cuan and Ethlin; his guardian Fin who took him into hiding in chapter five of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, and a host of many other characters, including characters from Seisen no Keifu. Leaf retaliates against the Thracian army because of what they did to his parents. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 introduces night combat, which is only portions of the map are show and the others blacked out. A torch is needed to light the way in night combat. This is also called "fog of war." Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 also introduced the Rescue feature known to players of the US edition of Fire Emblem on GBA, although in this game, you can capture enemies. Some characters from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, including Fin, have been carried over to Thracia 776, and some other Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu characters have been merely mentioned in Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, such as Sigurd, Levin, Beowulf, and Lachesis. The graphics of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 are slightly better than those of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu. It is the most realistic Fire Emblem game as of now.

Spoiler Warning: Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 contains spoilers for Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, both in Japanese and in English. Therefore, it is not recommended to play Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 before playing Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu for the first time.

Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (Sealed Sword), Game Boy Advance (2002)

Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (ファイアーエムブレム　封印の剣) stars Roy, who later appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It takes place on the continent of Elibe (or Ereb, in the original Japanese version.) Roy led a campaign known as the Lycian League against the forces from the militant continent of Bern shortly after his father fell ill. He is the son of the Marquess of Pherae.

The story begins when King Zephiel, ruler of the Kingdom of Bern began to invade Ilia and Sacae, constantly conducting massacre on those who dared to interfere with his plans. Roy was sent home to lead the Pherae's army to join the war, but soon after meeting Guinivere, the princess of Bern; and through the Lycian League stalwart general Hector's faithful farewells, Roy carried on the Lycian League and made many promises: to protect Guinivere, Hector's beloved daughter Lilina, and most importantly to save the entire continent from Zephiel's mysterious thirst for world domination.

Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi has been released in Japan in 2002, but rumors had spread about its U.S. Release being on its way as well.

Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Game Boy Advance (2003)

Screenshot Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken

Main Article: Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken

Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Translation: Blazing Sword or Sword of Fire [Blazing Sword being the most popular term]) is the first Fire Emblem game to be released in the United States. It was developed with a North American release in mind. It is the prequel to Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, in which you battle a group called the Black Fang. The first part stars Lyndis, the first female character to be in the Lord class. That may make her a lady. The later part stars Eliwood (Roy's father). The alternate later part stars Hector, the first member of the Lord class to wield an axe. The game has an in game tutorial (Lyn's Quest) and versions of songs from the original Fire Emblem game (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi) and Fire Emblem: Thracia 776.

Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki (The Jewels of Light and Darkness), Game Boy Advance (2004)

Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki is the third portable Fire Emblem game on Game Boy Advance. Unlike the previous two, this one takes place on a brand new continent called Magi Val, which was populated by evil monsters. Men once sealed the evil forces using the five Holy Jewels, which later became heirlooms to the five different royal families. The game starts out with the Empire of Grado conquering the Kingdom of Renais. Unfortunately, the crown prince, Ephraim, was away and knowing that he would not stand much chance against the Imperial army, King Faldo ordered the loyal Seth to escort Princess Eirik and seek help from the neighboring Kingdom of Frelia.

Henceforth you could start gathering new characters to improve you fighting force. Despite starting the game as Eirik, you would later be reunited with your twin brother and then be given the choice to choose your own main Lord between the two. The following chapters would then be different depending on your choice. You would then begin on your quest to pay visit to the many countries of Magi Val and gather allies in order to defeat the villain who unleashed this unspeakable power of darkness in the first place.

The game boasts sub-maps and a class change system that allows the player to select a class to upgrade to. It also beefs up level-building capability. Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki has a gameplay engine reminscing that of Fire Emblem: Gaiden.

Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki was scored by Saki Haruyama, Yoshihiko Kitamura, and Yoshito Hirano, and under the supervision of Yuka Tsujiyoko.

The official website can be found at http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/be8j/

Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki (Trail of the Blue Flame), GameCube (2005)

Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki is the recently announced new game in the series for the Nintendo GameCube, the first one for a console since the release of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 for the Super Famicom, having skipped the Nintendo 64. This game has been confirmed by Nintendo and will be released outside Japan. Only that it is also the first to be featured in 3D, and that it also takes place in a land called Telius, with a new cast as well. It will obviously have cel-shaded 3D graphics, as in Dragon Quest VIII, Dark Cloud 2, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, in order to retain the classic Fire Emblem feel and avoid subjection to moral panic.

Sources can be found here (http://www.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=064dae74-388d-44f3-a005-d210477b5571) (English) and here (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/ae7j/sinsaku/index.html) (Japanese).

Notes and regional record

Two Fire Emblem characters, Marth and Roy, are secret characters in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Marth starred in Fire Emblem: Ankoku no Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi (Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light), and Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem). Roy starred in Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (Sealed Sword). Super Smash Bros. Melee virtually lacks reference to Fire Emblem Gaiden, Seisen no Keifu, and Thracia 776. According to the official Japanese site of Nintendo, Marth was put in Super Smash Bros. Melee upon Japanese request. He was developed for Super Smash Bros. Melee expecting that he would be dummied out of the North American version of the game. However, he was well-crafted, earning him extended attention in North America. Eventually, by the decision of Nintendo of America, he was included in the North American version of Super Smash Bros. Melee the same way as in the Japanese version. Roy was developed for Super Smash Bros. Melee for the purpose of advertising Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi. Marth and Roy later became immensely popular in North America and Europe.

Of the Fire Emblem series, the Fire Emblem games before Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken were marketed exclusively in Japan. The last Japan-only installment, Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi still has a chance for localization to North America and Europe. Fan translations of the first five Fire Emblem games are underway, being translated from Japanese to English. North America has been showing interest in the Fire Emblem series since the invention of game emulation, or since the release of Super Smash Bros. Melee. If any of the Fire Emblem games before Rekka no Ken get remade for Nintendo GameCube or later Nintendo console, they will probably get the opportunity to come to North America, Europe, and Australia.

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door has a reference to Fire Emblem.

History-making characters

Several Fire Emblem characters have made history in the Fire Emblem series.

Marth - From Fire Emblem: Ankoku no Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo, being the first Lord, and, also, the only Lord who kept his position during two games. He also appeared as a secret playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Celica - From Fire Emblem Gaiden, being the first female main character.
Siglud - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, being the first in the Lord class to have exceptional stats and the first Lord to be mounted on a horse.
Lex - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, being Fire Emblem's first axefighter on horseback.
Ira - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, being the first popular female swordfighter. She is one of the most popular Fire Emblem characters. She is the originator of the Myrmidon and Swordmaster classes, which is what many call their favorite class.
Leaf - From Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu and Thracia 776, being the first in the Lord class to have a hair color that is not blue.
Sue - From Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, being Fire Emblem's first female archer on horseback. She is the daughter of Rath from Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
Lyndis - From Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, being the first female character to be in the Lord class. A female Lord is sometimes called a Lady.
Hector - From Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, being the first in the Lord class to wield an axe.
Eirik - From Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, being the first female character to be the game's main Lord all the way through game ending.
Ephraim - From Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki, being the first in the Lord class to wield a lance on foot.

Popular Fire Emblem characters

Most of them are from Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, the first Fire Emblem released in English. All of them are player characters except where indicated.

Abel (Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo)
Alec (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Abel
Aless (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Hardin
Arum (Fire Emblem Gaiden)
Athos (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Gato
Ayra (a.k.a. Ira) (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Nabarl, female version
Bartre (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Rekka no Ken)
Brendan (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Brunya (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi)
Canas (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Celica (Fire Emblem Gaiden)
Celice (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Marth
Darin (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Edin (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Rena
Eirik (Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki) - retconned from Celica, but has Marth's stats
Eliwood (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Marth
- Appears in Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken series. He is a swordfighter on a quest to find his father, Elbert, who was kidnapped by the Dark Druid Nergal. Eliwood battles a group of assassins called the Black Fang and morphs and lastly a Fire Dragon to reach his destination. He is equipped with a Rapier and later the Durandal which he uses to battle the Dark Druid. He also appears in "Fire Emblem: Sword of Seals" but only through a short period. His mother is Eleanora, and he has a son, Roy. His wife or lover depends on the game's support system (most likely Ninian).
Eltosian (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) non-player character - retconned from Hardin
Ephraim (Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki) - retconned from Arum
Eubans (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Fin (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
Fiora (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Paora (For the other retcons of the Pegasus Sisters, Florina was retconned from Est, and Farina was retconned from Catua.)
Guy (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Nabarl
Heath (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Hector (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Lex
- Hector's parents died of natural causes. He is Eliwood's childhood friend and the young brother of Lord Uther, the Marquess of Ostia. Equipped with an axe, this valiant axefighter sets out on an adventure to help his friend in search of his father, Elbert, along with a few Ostian colleagues, and the beloved princess of Caelin Lyndis. But behind the scenes there is terrible news concerning his older brother Uther. He eventually acquires the legendary axe Armads (Almace), used by the legend Durbans in the Scouring. He also appears in "Fire Emblem: The Sword of Seals" but only for a short period.
Heintz (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Holyn (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Oguma
Idoun (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi)
Jeigan (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshou no Nazo) (controversial)
Jerme (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Jhosua (Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki) - retconned from Nabarl
Karel (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Nabarl
Karla (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Ira
Kenneth (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Kent (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Abel, but has Kain's colors
Kishuna (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Lakche (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
Larchel (Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki)
Leaf (Fire Emblem: Thracia 776)
Legault (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Ricard
Levin (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Marich
Lex (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
Limstella (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) enemy
Linus (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) enemy
Lloyd (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) enemy
Lucius (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Rif
Lyndis (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Machuya (Fire Emblem: Thracia 776) - retconned from Oguma, female version
Marcus (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Rekka no Ken) (controversial) - retconned from Jeigan
- In Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken in Japan, and in its predecessor and sequel, Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Marcus is a paladin who serves Eliwood (Son of Elbert and father of Roy) as a personal guard, and who eventually serves as a trainer of new knights. He often offers helpful advice to the group, and is very strong in battle (when you get him). His downside: he gains almost no experience from common foes that would be extremely adventageous to others in the party, so many regard him as useless. Another negative point is the fact that his stat growths are the lowest in the entire game. "Jeigan" is the term for such player character. Therefore, Marcus is the Jeigan of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken and Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi. Between the two games, he declines in strength from the former to the latter game.
Mareeta (Fire Emblem: Thracia 776) - retconned from Lakche
Marika (Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki) - retconned from Ira
Marth (Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo)
Matthew (Fire Emblem) - retconned from Jurian
Merlinus (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Rekka no Ken) (item bank character)
Nabarl (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshou no Nazo)
Nils (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Ninian (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Yuria
- Ninian is a dancer and the brother of Nils, a bard. They both hold a terrible and destructive secret in their hearts. Their dances or music enable allies to move again or increase their stats.
Nino (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Noish (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Kain
Priscilla (Fire Emblem) - retconned from Ethlin
Rackesis (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
Raven (Fire Emblem) - retconned from Oguma
Roy (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi) - retconned from Marth
Rutger (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi) - retconned from Nabarl
Sain (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Kain, but has Abel's colors
Sealen (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Sety (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Marich
Shanan (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Nabarl
Sheeda (Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo)
Shiva (Fire Emblem: Thracia 776) - retconned from Nabarl
Sigurd (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Marth
Skasaher (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Oguma
Sonia (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) (major enemy)
Teeny (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - She and her substitute Linda were retconned from Rinda
Teodor (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Ursula (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) enemy
Vaida (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Yuria (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
Zoldam (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)

Controversial Fire Emblem characters

Aran (Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo) - Jeigan on steroids
Banutu (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshou no Nazo)
Cuan (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - a mythological reference to C�chulainn and Kian
Diadora (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - said to be a worthless unit
Eliwood (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Marth
Ethlin (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - a reference to Goidelic mythological character named Ethlinn, wife of Kian
Hardin (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshou no Nazo) - Marth's traitor
Florina (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Est
Jeigan (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshou no Nazo)
Marcus (Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Rekka no Ken) - retconned from Jeigan
Matis (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshou no Nazo)
Mideel (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)
Noish (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Kain
Oifaye (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Jeigan
Roshe (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshou no Nazo)
Sety (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Marich
Sylvia (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu) - retconned from Feena
Vaida (Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken)
Villuck (Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshou no Nazo)
Yuria (Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu)

Fire Emblem traditions and terminology

Jeigan - A term used for a prepromoted character who starts out to be a vastly strong unit, but deteriorates in utility throughout the game, levels up very slowly, gains almost no experience against enemies who are otherwise advantageous against other characters, has extremely low stat growths, and becomes surpassed by most of the game's initially unpromoted units and ends up being a completely worthless unit by the end of the Fire Emblem game, but is a mentor to a character holding the Lord class, and is usually a Paladin. Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu is the first in the series to have a young Jeigan. Other than the original Jeigan character, such characters include Oifey of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu Marcus of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, and Seth of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki. Seth is the strongest Jeigan, and Oifey is the second strongest Jeigan. Jeigans are rarely called one's favorite Fire Emblem character.
Est - A term used for an unpromoted unit who seems to be worthless at first, but has very high stat growths and ends up being a vastly strong unit by the end of the game. Therefore, Est is the opposite of Jeigan.
Dohga - A term used for a heavy-armoured unit who is big and strong and reliable. Apart from the original Dohga character, such characters include Bors of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Oswin of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, and Gilliam of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki.
Kain - A term used for a very handsome man who is a red-armoured cavalier and has ties with a green-armoured cavalier, and who prefers to use swords. Other than the original Kain character, such characters include Noish of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Alan of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, and Forde of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki. Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken is mixed up on the Kain and Abel tradition. Kent has Kain's colors and Abel's characteristics.
Abel - A term used for a green-armoured cavalier who has ties with a red-armoured cavalier, and who prefers to use lances. Other than the original Abel character, such characters include Alec of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Lance of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, and Kyle of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki. Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken is mixed up on the Kain and Abel tradition. Abels are somewhat less handsome than Kains. Sain has Abel's colors and Kain's characteristics.
Oguma - A term used for a sophisticated swordfighter who is a mercenary and knows good values of a swordfighter, and has high HP and strength and maxes out early in the game. Other than the original Oguma character, such characters include Holyn of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Dieck of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Raven of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, and Jist of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki.
Nabarl - A term used for a swordfighter who is very swift, faster than the Oguma character, appearing first as a dangerous enemy and difficult to recruit, and that the recruiting is found to be worth the effort all throughout the game, and is a good-looking character. Apart from the original Nabarl character, such characters include Ayra of Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Rutger and Fir of Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi, Guy of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, and Joshua (Jhosua) and Marika of Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki.

Mythological references

Fire Emblem has extensive mythological references. For example, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu has extensive references to Norse, Celtic, Goidelic, and Polynesian mythology. Sigurd of Chalphy, Isaac Kingdom's Balmunk sword, and Thracia Kingdom's Gungnir spear are references to Norse mythology. Cuan is a reference to C�chulainn of Irish mythology and Kian of Goidelic mythology. Ethlin from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu and Lugh from Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi are references to Goidelic mythology. Ira is a reference to Polynesian mythology. Norse mythology is a prominent contributor to names in the Fire Emblem series and also Namco's Tales RPG Series.

Soundtrack - MIDI

Theme of Fire Emblem - Seisen no Keifu version (http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/nintendo/snes/fe4main.mid)

External links

Sites:

Intelligent Systems - Fire Emblem (http://www.intsys.co.jp/fe/index.html/) - Old official Japanese site of the Fire Emblem series. No longer updated. For up to Fire Emblem: Seisen No Keifu only.
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/shvc/bfej/index.html) - Official Japanese site for Fire Emblem: Thracia 776.
Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/afej/) - Official Japanese site for Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi.
Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/ae7j/) - Official Japanese site for Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/be8j/) - Official Japanese site for Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki.
Official Site of Fire Emblem: Trading Card Game (Japanese) (http://eg.nttpub.co.jp/fe/)
Irregular Winds (http://winds.westhost.com/feholy/feindex.shtml) - Fan site for Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu.
Fire Emblem Empire (http://darktwilkitri.thegreatbeyond.net/FEE/main.php) - Fan site for Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu.
Sigurd's Pants (http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/firemblem/pants.htm) - Fan site for Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu.
The Mamkute from 20,000 Fathoms (http://www.velthomer.net/siggyspants/) - Fan site for Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi and Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken/Fire Emblem.
Nintendophiles - History of Fire Emblem (http://www.n-philes.com/php/epzffyufaaafalzfkl.php)
Emblem Inferno (http://www.ninhost.com/emblem-inferno/index.php)
Fire Emblem Planet (http://feplanet.net/index.php) - Fan Site. Has one of the internet's largest collection of Fire Emblem game sprites.

Forums:

FESS Forum (http://s7.invisionfree.com/FESS/) - Large Fire Emblem dedicated forum.
Fire Emblem Fusion (http://www.fefusion.com) - Dedicated to Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.
The Forgotten Emblem Forum (http://s4.invisionfree.com/The_Forgotten_Emblem) - Another forum dedicated to Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken.

Misc:

GameFAQs entry for Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/snes/data/10747.html)
GameFAQs entry for Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/gbadvance/data/35808.html)
FanFiction.net: Fire Emblem (http://www.fanfiction.net/list.php?categoryid=1604) -

The Fire Emblem catagory in a large fan fiction site

Fire Emblem

2005-10-06T01:46:00.001-07:00

Fire Emblem (Japanese: ファイアーエムブレム) is a popular strategy and role-playing video game franchise, developed by Intelligent Systems, and published by Nintendo. It is from the developers of Advance Wars, from the Nintendo Wars series (which shows in the gameplay, both games having almost the same gameplay). It was created by Shouzou Kaga, who later developed Tear Ring Saga. The Fire Emblem franchise has graced the Famicom, Super Famicom, Game Boy Advance, and the Nintendo GameCube. It was confined to Japan until the seventh installment, which was released on the Game Boy Advance in North America in 2003. Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword), for Game Boy Advance, is the first Fire Emblem game to be localized to North America and Europe. It was released in the United States and Europe under the name of "Fire Emblem" without any subtitle. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 is the last game on the Super Famicom. The Fire Emblem series was scored by Yuka Tsujiyoko, the composer for Paper Mario who also scored part of Tetris Attack, except Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki,
which was scored by Saki Haruyama, Yoshihiko Kitamura, and Yoshito
Hirano, under Tsujiyoko's supervision. Shouzou Kaga resigned from
Intelligent Systems after Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 and started his own business, Tirnanog.

Death is permanent in a Fire Emblem game if the game progress is saved. Some characters get revived automatically; for example, in Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken ("Fire Emblem" in the US), if one character dies in Lyndis's
story, they get automatically revived in Eliwood's or Hector's story,
but lose valuable level-ups. However, if a leading character dies (for
example: Lyn, Eliwood, or Hector in Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken) or if a home base gets seized by the enemy, the story will cease and the chapter must be replayed. Fire Emblem features many character classes. Fire Emblem
is remarkable amongst Tactical Role Playing Games in that it is quite
easy to learn. The primary system, the Weapon/Magic Triangle, is quite
simple. Lance beats sword, sword beats axe, and axe beats lance. In the same vein, Anima magic beats light magic, light magic beats dark magic, and dark magic beats Anima magic. In Fire Emblem: Seisen No Keifu, light and dark magic are evenly matched against each other, and they both beat out the natural magic triangle of fire, wind, and thunder, wherein fire beats wind, wind beats thunder, and thunder beats fire; in Fire Emblem: Souen No Kiseki,
the natural magic triangle remains, but light magic is neither
effective nor ineffective against it (and dark magic is non-existent in
that game).

The original Fire Emblem was a shield which allowed the wielder, Marth, to use the Falchion. During the second part of Monshou No Nazo, the Fire Emblem can be upgraded with the 5 orbs to turn it into the Shield of Seals. In later games, the Fire Emblem takes on different meanings. In Rekka no Ken and Fuuin no Tsurugi,
the Fire Emblem is a seal required for a ceremony to recognize the heir
to the throne of Bern. The seal was stolen twice in the history of
Bern; once by King Desmond to prevent the recognition of his son, Zephiel,
as heir (FE7) and second by Guinivere, in order to delay the war her
half-brother Zephiel started (FE6). In the Sacred Stones, the Fire
Emblem is the Sacred Stone of Grado, which holds the Demon King's
Spirit, but is split in two (the other half forms the Dark Stone), and
then the Fire Emblem is crushed.

In 1995, an anime OVA (co-produced with KSS)
was produced and released; it was closely based on the first three acts
of the very first game in the series or more specifically, the remake
contained in Monshou no Nazo. See also Fire Emblem (anime).

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Fire Emblem

Fire Emblem

Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi (Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light), Famicom (1990)

Fire Emblem Gaiden (Side-Story), Famicom (1991)

Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem), Super Famicom (1993)

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of Holy War), Super Famicom (1996)

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, Super Famicom (1999, 2000)

Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (Sealed Sword), Game Boy Advance (2002)

Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, Game Boy Advance (2003)

Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki (The Jewels of Light and Darkness), Game Boy Advance (2004)

Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki (Trail of the Blue Flame), GameCube (2005)

Notes and regional record

History-making characters

Popular Fire Emblem characters

Controversial Fire Emblem characters

Fire Emblem traditions and terminology

Mythological references

See also

Soundtrack - MIDI

External links

Fire Emblem

Contents

Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi (The Dark Dragon and the Sword of Light), Famicom (1990)

Fire Emblem Gaiden (Side-Story), Famicom (1991)

Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem), Super Famicom (1993)

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of the Holy War), Super Famicom (1996)

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, Super Famicom (1999, 2000)

Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi (Sword of Seals), Game Boy Advance (2002)

Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword), Game Boy Advance (2003)

Fire Emblem: (US/UK: The Sacred Stones JP: Seima no Kōseki), Game Boy Advance (JP: October 2004, US: 5/23/2005 UK: 04 Nov 2005)

Fire Emblem: Sōen no Kiseki (US/UK: Path of Radiance JP:Path of theBlue Flame), GameCube (JP: 4/20/2005 US:10/17/2005 UK: 04 Nov 2005)

Notes and regional record

History-making characters

List of Fire Emblem character archetypes

Mythological/Classical References

Norse Mythology

Celtic Mythology

Arthurian Mythology

Greek and Roman Mythology

Biblical Mythology

Islamic Mythology

Babylonian Mythology

French Mythology

Polynesian Mythology

See also

Soundtrack - MIDI

External links

Fire Emblem

Contents

Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi (The Dark Dragon and the Sword of Light), Famicom (1990)

Fire Emblem Gaiden (Side-Story), Famicom (1991)

Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem), Super Famicom (1993)

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of the Holy War), Super Famicom (1996)

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, Super Famicom (1999, 2000)

Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi (Sword of Seals), Game Boy Advance (2002)

Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword), Game Boy Advance (2003)

Fire Emblem: (US/UK: The Sacred Stones JP: Seima no Kōseki), Game Boy Advance (JP: October 2004, US: 5/23/2005 UK: 04 Nov 2005)

Fire Emblem: Sōen no Kiseki (US/UK: Path of Radiance JP:Path of the Blue Flame), GameCube (JP: 4/20/2005 US:10/17/2005 UK: 04 Nov 2005)

Notes and regional record

History-making characters

List of Fire Emblem character archetypes

Mythological/Classical References

Norse Mythology

Celtic Mythology

Arthurian Mythology

Greek and Roman Mythology

Biblical Mythology

Islamic Mythology

Babylonian Mythology

French Mythology

Polynesian Mythology

Fire Emblem: Sōen no Kiseki (US/UK: Path of Radiance JP:Path of the
Blue Flame), GameCube (JP: 4/20/2005 US:10/17/2005 UK: 04 Nov 2005)