Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi

Turn-based tactical RPG where you command Marth, exiled prince of Altea, and his growing army across grid-based battlefields. Each unit has a distinct class—knights, mages, pegasus riders—with weapon triangle advantages (swords beat axes, axes beat lances, lances beat swords). Units gain experience and level up, but death is permanent: lose a character in battle and they're gone for good. Your goal is to reclaim Altea by recovering the legendary Falchion sword and the Fire Emblem shield. Story unfolds across dozens of chapters as you recruit allies, manage gold for weapons and healing items, and position troops to survive enemy phases. Permadeath adds weight to every move. This is the series' Famicom debut, establishing the template for character-driven strategy that followed.