<P> No games in the series were released outside of Japan until two characters , Marth and Roy , were included as playable characters in the 2001 fighting game Super Smash Bros. Melee . Their popularity eventually convinced Nintendo to release the next game , The Blazing Sword , in Western regions under the title Fire Emblem in 2003 . Many games in the series have sold well , despite a decline during the 2000s which resulted in the series ' near - cancellation . Individual entries have generally been praised , and the series as a whole has been lauded for its gameplay , and it is cited as a seminal series in the tactical role - playing genre . Characters from multiple games have also been included in crossovers with other franchises . </P>
<P> No games in the series were released outside of Japan until two characters , Marth and Roy , were included as playable characters in the 2001 fighting game Super Smash Bros. Melee . Their popularity eventually convinced Nintendo to release the next game , The Blazing Sword , in Western regions under the title Fire Emblem in 2003 . Many games in the series have sold well , despite a decline during the 2000s which resulted in the series ' near - cancellation . Individual entries have generally been praised , and the series as a whole has been lauded for its gameplay , and it is cited as a seminal series in the tactical role - playing genre . Characters from multiple games have also been included in crossovers with other franchises . </P>
when did the first fire emblem come out
when did the first fire emblem come out
2003
2003