Fire Emblem Saga: Shadows Debuts Modestly on Mobile Compared to Heroes

Nintendo Expands Mobile Portfolio With Fire Emblem Shadows—Launch Outpaced by Fire Emblem Heroes Nintendo has continued its foray into the mobile gaming space with the surprise release of Fire Emblem Shadows on both iOS and Android platforms.

Drawing from the acclaimed Fire Emblem franchise—a staple of strategic role-playing games renowned for its deep tactical gameplay—this new title once again invites fans to experience the series on mobile devices.

Launched without prior announcement, Fire Emblem Shadows follows the tradition established by Nintendo’s earlier hit, Fire Emblem Heroes, which was released for mobile platforms in 2017. According to newly published data from mobile analytics firm App Figures, Fire Emblem Shadows has seen measured traction in its initial launch phase.

In the first ten days since release, the tactical deduction game recorded approximately 518,000 installs and generated $107,000 in player spending.

This equates to around $0.21 earned per user download—a benchmark suggesting a cautious uptake among mobile gamers when set against previous franchise entries. For comparison, Fire Emblem Heroes, the first major Fire Emblem title on mobile platforms, posted notably stronger results in its opening days.

App Figures reports that Heroes achieved 2.3 million installs, or roughly 4.4 times that of Shadows over the same period, along with a substantial $5.3 million in player spending.

That puts Fire Emblem Heroes at approximately $2.31 in revenue per download—more than ten times higher than the per-user figure for Shadows. A spokesperson from App Figures notes that Fire Emblem Shadows' early commercial numbers trail well behind those of its predecessor both in terms of installs and player investment, despite leveraging the established Fire Emblem brand.

The figures illustrate a significant difference in launch performance, highlighting changing market dynamics and possibly differing levels of anticipation among the fanbase. Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to mobile gaming extends the reach of flagship series like Fire Emblem beyond their traditional home on the Nintendo Switch and previous consoles.

The company’s successes, such as Fire Emblem Heroes, demonstrate the potential for mobile adaptations, though Shadows’ modest start underscores the challenges in recapturing previous mobile highs. Fire Emblem Shadows is currently available worldwide for download via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

As Nintendo evaluates performance and player feedback, industry analysts will be watching to see how the new title develops in the competitive mobile landscape, and whether additional updates or events will bolster engagement.

For now, App Figures’ data shines a light on the evolving nature of Nintendo’s mobile strategy and the legacy of the Fire Emblem series on iOS and Android.

Fire Emblem Xbox Series X|S Android iOS Fire Emblem Heroes Mobile Shadows Xbox X|S Fire Emblem Shadows Nintendo App Figures