Even though Nintendo intends to deliver a lot of Switch games in 2022, Fire Emblem have a lot to look forward to. Nintendo recently announced Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, a new crossover with the Dynasty Warriors formula that will retell the story of 2019's highly successful Fire Emblem: Three Houses from a new narrative angle. The new game looks like it'll focus more closely on Three Houses' characters than its predecessor, which united characters from many different Fire Emblem games. What's more, rumor has it that Intelligent Systems well release yet another Fire Emblem game in development, possibly this year.
Nintendo insider Emily Rodgers recently claimed on Famiboards that a new Fire Emblem game has been in the works for about three years. They say there's a chance the game won't appear until next year, but it seems likely that Fire Emblem's next entry will release in late 2022. Only time will tell if Rodgers' speculation is accurate, but it would be smart for Nintendo and Intelligent Systems to release another Fire Emblem game this year. The Switch deserves another title catering to the franchise's established audience, and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is bound to stir an appetite for another game.
Why a New Fire Emblem in 2022 Makes Sense
The Switch has performed admirably as a vehicle for the Fire Emblem series. In 2019, Fire Emblem: Three Houses became an extremely lucrative title. Fire Emblem traditionally hasn't been quite as popular internationally as other Nintendo franchises, but nevertheless Three Houses became the best-selling Fire Emblem game to date, selling nearly three million copies in the first year of its life. Thanks to Three Houses, the franchise has a greatly expanded audience of Switch users that a new Fire Emblem game could cater to.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes also creates a perfect opportunity to release the next core game. Three Hopes looks like a promising opportunity to spend more time with Three Houses' beloved characters, but it also won't scratch the tactical RPG itch for fans. Odds are that Three Hopes will simultaneously renew excitement about Fire Emblem and generate more demand for a new game, both of which Nintendo and Intelligent Systems could capitalize on by releasing a new entry within the year. It may be a good way to capitalize on Three Houses' success, but Three Hopes is also perfect for setting the next Fire Emblem up for success.
Establishing a Fire Emblem Warriors Pattern
Rodgers also points out that the first Fire Emblem Warriors didn't release alone. In the same year, Intelligent Systems released Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, which proves a Warriors spin-off wouldn't stand in the way of a core game's debut. On the contrary, a new Fire Emblem Warriors game that improves upon its predecessor could lead up to Fire Emblem cementing its presence as an important Switch franchise.
Again, it's unclear if Intelligent Systems really is working on another Fire Emblem game, let alone whether it'll release this year. Rodgers admits that Nintendo has a busy 2022 so far, meaning Fire Emblem may have to wait in order to make room for Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, Bayonetta 3, and other late 2022 titles. Nevertheless, releasing the next Fire Emblem game sooner rather than later would be wise. With Three Houses in the rearview mirror, Switch users are ready for another tactics game from Intelligent Systems, and Three Hopes will serve as a strong reminder that it's been a few years. Hopefully Fire Emblem makes its move by the end of this year.
A Fire Emblem game is rumored to be in development.
