Nintendo's 2022 catalog may have yet another ace in its sleeve, as a new Fire Emblem remake may be getting released this year, and it may be The Binding Blade. Rumors have been floating around ever since 2017, and with some recent information, it seems a remake is more likely than a new title. With Fire Emblem: Three Hopes on the horizon, this may be the perfect time for Nintendo to drum up an extended period to focus and promote the long-running fantasy tactical/RPG franchise.
Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade is an entry that never made it to western shores and only has a presence there due to the game's titular character, Roy. Roy arrived alongside Marth in Super Smash Bros. Melee, where the title piqued fans' interest and spread Fire Emblem popularity worldwide. Curiously, Nintendo chose to localize the follow-up prequel, Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, instead, which followed the journey of Roy's father. Unfortunately, many of the story beats that occur in Blazing Blade are left somewhat unresolved due to players being unable to see characters develop and play out through the events of the last title. Many fans have lamented the inability to experience The Binding Blade and have resorted to fan-made translations to enjoy the story entirely.
An alleged leak for a Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade remake surfaced online, via Musou-style Fire Emblem: Three Hopes) and a second one that has yet to . Though Zippo could not confirm which title was coming, they did confirm that the title would be a remake, with speculation mostly circling Fire Emblem: Geneology of the Holy War, which arrived back on the Japanese Switch Online service, and The Binding Blade. Of the two, Geneology of the Holy War is a far tougher sell. The title contains mature themes, including details of incest and others that would surely secure the title an M rating. Most of the plot points of this title rely heavily on those mature themes, so localization staff would have an incredibly daunting hurdle to overcome to secure a lower rating if they wanted one - but it isn't impossible.
Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade Remake May Release In Late 2022 or Early 2023
The most significant confirmation comes from Emily Rogers, a well-known, credible insider regarding Nintendo. She asserts the game has had nearly 3+ years of development time and outside studio . The remake entry is likely slated for release in late 2022 or early 2023, depending on Nintendo's 2022 line-up and direct schedule for the coming holiday season. Rogers has been maintaining the existence of a new Fire Emblem entry for years, and now it feels all but acknowledged by Nintendo at this point. Though she hasn't confirmed which title is on the docket, signs still point to the title with the most to gain from a remake - The Binding Blade. Roy has become a fan favorite and has gained newfound exposure in titles like Fire Emblem Heroes for mobile. In addition, with the rumored GBA titles arriving on Nintendo's Switch Online service, it's likely the original Fire Emblem released in the West - which featured Roy's father - will likely be one of the first titles to emerge.
Fire Emblem will likely gain a lot more popularity this year. With every entry rising in popularity up to Three Houses, future entries will likely enjoy similar success. Once Nintendo releases Fire Emblem: Three Hopes this July, the door will be open for the Japanese company to forthcoming titles - just in time for the usual yearly E3-like announcement cycle. With the latter half of Nintendo's 2022 release schedule filled with Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Splatoon 3, the rumors surrounding a title like Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade remake make sense, and fans of the legendary series may be getting their fill soon enough.
