The very famous Fire Emblem series from Japan made by Intelligent Systems, reached the US market about 3 to 4 years ago with their 7th game in the series known as Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Fire Emblem: The Blazing Sword). Since it was the first game for the US it took out the subtitle and it became known as Fire Emblem in the US.
Brief summary based on my knowledge of the games(6,7,8 will be longer....I actually know those games):
Spoiler Warning for the 7th game.....
Fire Emblem 1: The first game in the series featuring the Ailtean prince Marth.
Fire Emblem 2: Known as Fire Emblem Gaiden, it's basically a side quest to the first one.
Fire Emblem 3: The last game our hero Marth is in
Fire Emblem 4: A brand new game...That's about all I know
Fire Emblem 5: Same as 4....
Fire Emblem 6: Also known as Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi (Sword of Seals). Our main hero here is a boy name Roy (sound familiar...? The Roy from SSBM) Roy is the son of Eliwood (more on him later). Bern one of the bigger parts of the continent Lycia decides to attack the surrounding parts. Roy now has to stop him....
Fire Emblem 7: Also known as Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword). You are actually part of this game. Yes you. You play the role of a tatictian (sp?) and you guide your army through battles. You will always have brown hair...so get over it (Well I'm not sure about the females but the guys will always have brown hair). You first guide Lyndis (Lyn) who lives her life on the plains of Sacae. One day she find you and you two start on a journey to improve your skills. Along the way you meet two knights, Sain and Kent, of Caelin telling Lyn she is Lady Lyndis of Castle Caelin and has to claim her right as the next heir. When that quest is over you go with Eliwood/Hector on their mission to fine Eliwood's lost father (Lord Elbert) and to stop Nergal.
Fire Emblem 8: Also known as Fire Emblem: Seima no Kōseki (The Sacred Stones). New game. A place called Grado attacks for no reason at all and Renais has fallen. You're job is to guide the Princess of Renais (Eirkia) to her brother (Epharim) to safety, stop the attacks from Grado and reclaim Renais while finding out what happened to cause the attacks from Grado. One of the more interesting plots.
Fire Emblem 9: Fire Emblem: Sōen no Kiseki (Path of Radience (sp?)) New game...That's about it...I'm going to get it...soon...
The Fire Emblem isn't a specific thing that's common in all the games. I know in Fire Emblem 7 and 6, it's the item that is used to reconigze the heir to Bern and for use on the Sword of Seals. In Fire Emblem 8, it's the Sacred Stone of Grado.
So........after this long crazy post......Anyone else like Fire Emblem...?