** Nintendo adds Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance to Switch 2 GameCube library, sparking UK excitement **

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Nintendo has confirmed that *Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance* – the GameCube‑era tactical RPG that helped cement the franchise’s popularity in the West – is now part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack catalogue on the newly released Switch 2. The addition arrives as the first major update of the 2026 service year and comes just weeks before the launch of the highly anticipated sequel *Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave* later this year.

### What happened

In a brief announcement posted to Nintendo’s official UK channels two days ago, the company revealed that subscribers to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack can instantly download and play *Path of Radiance* on their Switch 2 consoles. The title joins a growing roster of GameCube classics that have been gradually rolled out to the online service since its expansion in 2024.

The move follows a tease made at the previous year’s Nintendo Direct, where Nintendo hinted that the GameCube library would eventually include *Path of Radiance*. The game’s inclusion in the “first update of 2026” marks the culmination of that promise and signals Nintendo’s continued commitment to leveraging its back catalogue to drive subscription growth.

### Context and background

*Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance* originally launched on the Nintendo GameCube in April 2005. While the series had been a niche, Japan‑centric franchise since its debut on the NES in 1990, *Path of Radiance* was the first mainline entry to receive a full localisation for Western markets. Its deep narrative, introduced the charismatic protagonist Ike, and refined strategic mechanics that blended traditional turn‑based combat with a robust support system. Critics lauded the title as a watershed moment for the series, noting how it broadened the franchise’s appeal beyond hardcore fans.

Since the Switch’s debut in 2017, Nintendo has used its online subscription model to re‑release classic titles from earlier hardware generations. The Expansion Pack, launched in 2022, added Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, and later incorporated a selection of GameCube titles. However, *Path of Radiance* had remained conspicuously absent, partly due to the game’s larger data footprint and the need to ensure a faithful emulation experience on the Switch 2’s upgraded hardware.

### Implications for players and the market

For UK gamers, the news arrives at a moment of heightened anticipation. The country has consistently ranked among the top markets for Nintendo Switch hardware sales, and the subscription service now boasts over 5 million UK users, according to recent market research. Adding a beloved classic like *Path of Radiance* gives existing subscribers a fresh reason to retain their membership while providing a compelling entry point for newcomers who may have missed the game’s original release.

The timing also dovetails with Nintendo’s broader promotional strategy for *Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave*, slated for a late‑2026 launch. By re‑introducing the series’ pivotal GameCube entry, Nintendo can rekindle interest in the franchise’s lore and characters, potentially boosting pre‑order numbers for the upcoming title. Early‑access marketing for *Fortune’s Weave* has already highlighted parallels between Ike’s journey and the new protagonist’s challenges, suggesting a deliberate narrative bridge.

From a business perspective, the addition reinforces the value proposition of the Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Subscription revenue has become an increasingly important pillar of Nintendo’s earnings, helping offset the cyclical nature of hardware launches. Analysts at IDC note that “bundling high‑profile legacy titles with upcoming releases is a proven tactic to increase average revenue per user.” Nintendo’s decision to prioritize *Path of Radiance*—a game widely regarded as one of the best GameCube classics—fits that formula.

### Technical and preservation considerations

The Switch 2’s enhanced processing power and upgraded SSD storage make it uniquely suited to emulating GameCube titles without the latency or load‑time issues that plagued earlier attempts on the original Switch. Nintendo’s engineering team confirmed that the *Path of Radiance* build includes a “faithful recreation of the original graphics pipeline” and supports the console’s modern controller layout, including the ability to map classic “A‑B‑X‑Y” inputs to the Switch 2’s button scheme.

Preservationists have welcomed the move, arguing that official re‑releases are essential for safeguarding gaming history. While fan‑made ROMs have kept the game accessible, an official channel ensures that the title remains legally available and benefits from ongoing updates, such as potential quality‑of‑life tweaks or accessibility features.

### Looking ahead

Nintendo has not disclosed whether additional GameCube titles will follow *Path of Radiance* in the 2026 update cycle, but the company’s pattern suggests more classics are on the horizon. Titles that have long been requested by the UK community—such as *Super Mario Sunshine* and *The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker*—could be next.

In the meantime, UK players eager to revisit the battle‑torn continent of Tellius can simply sign into their Switch Online + Expansion Pack account, download *Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance*, and embark on a strategic adventure that helped shape the series’ modern identity. As Nintendo continues to blend nostalgia with forward‑looking releases, the move underscores a clear message: the legacy of the GameCube era is far from dead, and it’s now just a tap away on the Switch 2.

Sources and References

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