Which Fire Emblem game should I play first?

[Olivernintentoal]

Paatar said:

burninmylight said:

You aren't finding the Radiant games anywhere for cheap. I paid $75 for my copy of Radiant Dawn last summer.

 

But yeah, start with Awakening. Easily accessible, most newcomer friendly, and although there are elements of the lore that will mean more to you if you are a longtime fan, you are not at all required to have played any previous games to get it. Fates is also it's own completely independent story and lore.

Yeah they aren't cheap... Unfortunately.

I experienced that first hand.  Luckily I bought Radiant Dawn years ago as my introduction to the series and absolutely loved it.  I have tried to buy Path of Radiance so many times, but it is incredibly expensive.