Nintendo looked like it would never release any of the Fire Emblem Strategy Role Playing Games over in the West just a few years ago, but following the testing of the water with the second Fire Emblem from the Game Boy Advance, each and every new entry into the popular Japanese franchise has been translated. Now Nintendo has released more details on the upcoming remake of the original Nintendo Entertainment System title, which is coming to Nintendo DS in Japan in early August.

Fire Emblem: Shin Ankoku Ryu to Hikari no Ken (as it is known in Japan) is set to launch in Japan on Nintendo DS on 7th August and is fully expected to be the game that Nintendo Power was hinting at in the current issue, with a US release likely sometime later in 2008, and Europe hopefully not far behind (especially after the disastrous delays surrounding Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn on Wii, which eventually squeaked onto European shelves back in March without any fan-fare at all).

In Fire Emblem for the Nintendo DS, the story revolves around Prince Marth as he is forced to flee the kingdom of Altea when it falls under attack from the empire of Dolua, an invasion propped up by the Shadow Dragon Medeus. The game’s official website has now launched and various small video clips can be found that show off aspects of the gameplay found within the title. It has also been revealed that Masamune Shirow has done brand new character illustrations for the characters based on the worldview of Fire Emblem, yet it is also stated that the character illustrations in the actual game are not the ones shown on the official website.

Players can expect a wealth of gripping features, such as Wi-Fi Connection multiplayer battles, plenty of new character classes, the tried-and-tested weapon triangle system, as well as various other modern enhancements to enhance this DS version over its previously Japanese-only Famicom / NES release. There will also be a prologue chapter that never featured in the original, in which Marth is seen fleeing from Altea and ending up in the nation of Talis in what is kind of like a tutorial stage with only a handful of followers by his side as players are eased into proceedings. In addition to this there will be a side-story option where players can unlock varying paths through the game by completing certain tasks during the main adventure, which will in turn give them the chance to hook up with characters previously unavailable, such as a beardy wizard named Etzel.

Be sure to check out the difference between the original Famicom version (the top video) and the updated Nintendo DS edition (the lower video):

In summation, Serene’s Forest has translated the latest details that Japanese publication Famitsu magazine revealed:

• Prologue chapter: Takes place a few years before the start of the original game. Aritia castle has been invaded and Marth must escape to safety. Players can also learn the basic controls here.
• Side Stories: Like in earlier games, completion of special requirements in certain chapters grants access to “gaiden” chapters, which are an aside to the main story. New characters such as Etzel can be recruited in these chapters.
• Master Seals: These items are used to promote most characters when they are Level 10 or over. However, they will be limited in number (although I am guessing they might change this for the English versions like in Radiant Dawn).
• Class Swap: A new feature that allows players to directly change a character’s class. The character’s Level and Experience remains the same, but their other stats (such as HP, Strength and Skill) can change, as well as their weapon proficiency. There seems to be a limitation to how many of one class you can have, so do not expect to have a full army of Myrmidons, for example.

The new remake of the original Fire Emblem will hit Japanese Nintendo DS systems on 7th August for 4800 yen (roughly $45 / £25). After playing through Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, though, is a handheld remake of a classic Famicom game what you want to get your hands on? Be sure to let us know your thoughts by posting below…