Fire Emblem Gaiden

Fire Emblem Gaiden
Box art featuring Alm (center), Celica (left), Valbar (right), and Duma (top)
DeveloperIntelligent Systems
PublisherNintendo
DirectorShouzou Kaga
ProducerGunpei Yokoi
DesignerShouzou Kaga
ProgrammerToru Narihiro
ArtistsNaotaka Ohnishi
Satoshi Machida
Toshitaka Muramatsu
WriterShouzou Kaga
ComposerYuka Tsujiyoko
SeriesFire Emblem
PlatformFamily Computer
Release
  • JP: March 14, 1992
GenreTactical role-playing
ModeSingle-player

Fire Emblem Gaiden is a 1992 tactical role-playing game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Family Computer. It is the second installment in the Fire Emblem series and the last to be developed for the Famicom. It builds upon the basic turn-based strategy gameplay of the previous title, while including new elements such as a navigable overworld. Set in the same world as its predecessor, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, Gaiden follows the battles of two opposing armies on the continent of Valentia, which is torn apart by political strife involving the princess Celica and her childhood friend Alm.

The development began after the commercial success of Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. Original designer and writer Shouzou Kaga returned and assumed the role of director, while Yuka Tsujiyoko and Gunpei Yokoi returned respectively as composer and producer. Kaga's main concern was addressing pacing issues from the first game, and allowing for a greater connection between players and the characters. The game was a commercial success, selling over 324,000 units as of 2002. It received mixed reviews from critics, and was later compared to Super Mario Bros. 2 and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link as the "black sheep" of the series. Some elements would be used in later Fire Emblem titles. A full remake, titled Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, was released worldwide on the Nintendo 3DS in 2017.