The granddaddy of the Fire Emblem series: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (暗黒竜と光の剣, Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken)!

Released way back in 1990 for the Famicom in Japan, this game isn't just the first Fire Emblem title – it's the foundation upon which the entire franchise was built. We're talking about the original adventure of Prince Marth, his struggles against the Dolhr Empire, and his desperate fight to reclaim his homeland of Altea and defeat the Shadow Dragon, Medeus.

Now, before you conjure up images of the polished, feature-rich Fire Emblem titles we know and love today, remember this is pure, unadulterated 8-bit goodness. Expect a stark, unforgiving experience with relatively limited mechanics compared to modern entries. Think rudimentary weapon triangle, basic character classes, and a story told through limited dialogue and pixelated sprites. It's a game that demands patience, strategic thinking, and a willingness to accept the (often brutal) consequences of your decisions.

But don't let its age fool you! Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light laid the groundwork for the tactical RPG genre as we know it. It introduced the permadeath mechanic (where fallen units are gone for good), the focus on character relationships (albeit in a more nascent form), and the challenging, strategic gameplay that would define the series.

So, get ready to experience a piece of gaming history.