Fire Emblem: Awakening review

Fire Emblem: Awakening is the strategy game to own on 3DS. Nintendo's page sets it in a world where Prince Chrom tries to stop a war between Ylisse and Plegia while undead soldiers called the Risen spread across the land. Battles are turn-based, and Nintendo stresses that positioning, weapon types, classes and co-operative attacks all matter. Characters who fight together build bonds that strengthen their joint abilities, and a large cast of extra characters can be recruited. Newcomer Mode lets units defeated in battle return for later stages instead of being lost permanently, which lowers the barrier for first-time players. Double Duel offers co-op with a friend over Local Play, and StreetPass brings in characters from other players' armies. DKOldies lists a used cartridge at $54.99 before sales, the third highest price here, which keeps it out of the top five.

Who it is for

Strategy fans and newcomers to tactics games

Price

Used 3DS cartridge from $54.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $54.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Turn-based battles where position, weapons and classes decide the outcome
• Bonds between characters build stronger co-operative abilities
• Newcomer Mode brings defeated units back instead of losing them for good
• Double Duel co-op mode over Local Play
• Recruit characters from other players' armies via StreetPass

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Newcomer Mode makes it friendly for first-time tactics players
• Strength: Large recruitable cast adds replay value
• Strength: Local co-op and StreetPass still work offline
• Weakness: Third highest used price here, at $54.99
• Weakness: Battles take longer to learn than Mario games
• Weakness: Rated PEGI 12

Key facts

• Publisher: Nintendo
• Developer: Intelligent Systems
• EU release: April 19, 2013
• Players: 1 to 2
• Age rating: PEGI 12

Where it ranks

Fire Emblem: Awakening is No. 6 in our Best 3DS Games of All Time verdict.