Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave Dominates Switch 2 eShop Charts as Pre-Loads Begin

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave topped the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of September 13, 2026 as pre-loads opened ahead of its September 17 release. Here is what players need to know about Intelligent Systems’ new tactical RPG, now that it is out, and how it has been received.

Release and platform

Fortune’s Weave launched on September 17, 2026 as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. It is developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo, and it is the first new mainline Fire Emblem since Fire Emblem Engage on Switch in 2023. Pre-loading was available on the eShop in the days before launch, which is what pushed it to the top of the download chart before release.

What is new

The game keeps the series’ core formula of grid-based tactical battles, character relationships that affect performance in combat, and optional permanent death for fallen units. Fortune’s Weave is built around four interconnected storylines, giving it a broader campaign than recent entries, and reviewers have described its tactical systems as building on the series’ strategy in new directions. Nintendo’s launch materials and reviews highlight its depth and scope as the defining features.

How it was reviewed

Critics have been very positive. Fortune’s Weave holds a Metacritic score of 89 from more than 50 reviews, with 13 outlets awarding perfect scores. Reviewers called it an essential game for Fire Emblem and strategy RPG fans and one of the best releases of the year. The main criticisms were slower pacing in places and a volume of content that some found overwhelming, with a few outlets scoring it in the 70s.

The rest of the chart

The same week’s eShop chart also saw strong debuts for survival game Valheim and Meccha Chameleon, showing that Switch 2 players are buying across genres and price points. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight followed on September 18, one day after Fire Emblem, and was expected to perform well given the LEGO series’ history on Nintendo platforms.

Why it matters

For Nintendo, Fortune’s Weave gives Switch 2 a major first-party RPG in a busy autumn, and the combination of chart performance and high review scores suggests a strong start. Fire Emblem has grown from a niche series into one of Nintendo’s reliable sellers since Awakening and Three Houses, and a well-reviewed Switch 2 entry continues that run.

For players, the decision is simpler than usual. Strategy fans have a highly rated new entry with a long campaign, while newcomers can start here without playing earlier games, since each Fire Emblem story stands on its own. Recent Fire Emblem games have offered a Casual mode that removes permanent death, which is worth looking for if difficulty is a concern, and players who prefer shorter sessions may want to pace the campaign given its length.