Trails in the Sky the 1st Joins Nintendo's Issai Trial for Free Play Week
The free trial and simultaneous sale give players a low-risk window to catch up on the remake before its sequel launches in September, a tactic Nintendo has used to boost engagement with ongoing series.
Key Facts
- The Issai Trial for Trails in the Sky the 1st runs from July 6 at 12:00 JST to July 12 at 17:59 JST.
- Nintendo is offering a 50% discount on the standard download version (4,400 yen) from July 6 to July 19.
- The sequel, Trails in the Sky the 2nd, is scheduled for release on September 17, 2026.
- Players who clear the first game can unlock special costumes in the sequel by carrying over save data.
- The game is a full remake of the 2004 original The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC, released in September 2025.
Reporting from 4 sources: Denfaminicogamer, ASCII.jp, Game Spark, Inside.
Nintendo announced on July 3 that Nihon Falcom's RPG "Trails in the Sky the 1st" will be the next title in its Issai Trial program, a limited-time event where Nintendo Switch Online paid subscribers can play the full game for free. The trial runs from July 6 at 12:00 JST to July 12 at 17:59 JST. "Trails in the Sky the 1st" is a full remake of the 2004 original "The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC," released in September 2025. The story follows heroine Estelle and her partner Joshua as they train to become Bracers, protectors of regional peace. The game features a hybrid battle system that switches between field action and command-based combat. To participate, subscribers must download the software from the Nintendo Store before the trial period. Nintendo is also running a 50% off sale on the download version from July 6 to July 19, reducing the standard edition from 8,800 yen to 4,400 yen. The sequel, "Trails in the Sky the 2nd," is scheduled for release on September 17, 2026, and players who clear the first game can unlock special costumes in the sequel.
The Issai Trial program, exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online paid subscribers, offers unlimited play of the target software for a set period. For "Trails in the Sky the 1st," the trial begins July 6 at noon JST and ends July 12 at 5:59 p.m. JST. The game is a full remake of the 2004 classic, rebuilt with modern graphics and a hybrid battle system that lets players switch between real-time action and turn-based command combat. The story follows Estelle Bright and Joshua Bright as they journey through the Kingdom of Liberl, taking on Bracer requests. Alongside the trial, Nintendo is offering a 50% discount on the standard download version (4,400 yen), the Digital Deluxe Edition (6,050 yen), and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (4,475 yen) through July 19. The sequel, "Trails in the Sky the 2nd," arrives September 17, and players who complete the first game can carry over save data to unlock special costumes. Sources note that the trial is a chance for newcomers to experience the series before the sequel lands.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 4 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.