Last year marked a major milestone for Yu-Gi-Oh! as it celebrated its 25th anniversary, giving longtime fans a trip down memory lane. In honor of this “Quarter Century,” Konami came out with a special treat: Yu-Gi-Oh! The Early Days Collection. This is the only video game collection they’ve released for this particular occasion, and it’s quite the trip down nostalgia lane with nearly 14 games from the early days of the series from platforms like the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. As a devoted Yu-Gi-Oh! card game player, my curiosity got the better of me on this one. I hadn’t tackled all these titles previously, but recalled them being a bit rigid and leaning more towards fans of the anime than actual card game enthusiasts. Surprisingly, my memory served me right, but the reality wasn’t all that disappointing. For those revisiting this classic world, it’s largely about nostalgia; however, dedicated fans will find some gems in the pile. You just might need some patience to discover them.
First things first, let’s address the main attraction: the collection includes 14 full Yu-Gi-Oh! games released between 1998 and 2005! From Japan-exclusive titles on the original Game Boy, inspired by the manga, now localized in English, to the Game Boy Advance championship series professing to be accurate battle simulators and some intriguing experiments sprinkled throughout. Initially, this sounds like a treasure trove, but there’s more than meets the eye. The earliest Game Boy games show the card game evolving incrementally with each update—like Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters II: Dark Duel Stories, which primarily added new rules and cards for deck balancing. The western version, Dark Duel Stories (known as Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4 in Japan), merely introduced an additional trap card zone. While this offers a fascinating lens into the rapid progression of the game given the hardware limitations and its growing fanbase in Japan, playing these back-to-back can feel redundant for many. The design evolution over time is intriguing, especially when focusing on the UI and UX improvements, though I found myself quickly moving on to the more user-friendly titles in the collection.
A standout surprise was Duel Monsters 3, previously a Japan-only title. It follows the Monster World arc where Yugi’s friends are transformed into monsters trapped in a tabletop RPG, with the antagonists as Dungeon Masters. Uniquely, this game does away with trading cards. Instead, you place monsters on a grid akin to a simplified turn-based strategy game, like Fire Emblem. Every monster has distinct attack patterns and receives buffs depending on its position and proximity to allies, turning battles into strategic puzzles. Attacks succeed based on rolls of two D10s, also determining random enemy encounters during boss fights. It’s a clever twist, different from anything else in the collection.
However, Dungeon Dice Monsters and Destiny Board Traveler fail to set themselves apart. These spin-offs aim for a board-game vibe. Dungeon Dice Monsters tries to digitize its lesser-known tabletop counterpart, with players facing off on an isometric grid. The objective? Create a path to the opponent’s side to attack their dice master. It sounds intriguing, but without any tutorials, players are left grappling with a dense manual until they get the hang of it. This brings up some issues with the collection’s user-friendliness. While manuals are accessible, they reset to the first page each time you open the menu, making it tough for games with complex rules (looking at you, Dungeon Dice Monsters). There’s also a confusing type chart in early games and RPGs, with types nonexistent in the card game, like ‘dreams’ and ‘shadow’. Although you can rewind up to a minute during gameplay, there’s no fast-forward option. It would be a helpful addition, especially in GBA duel simulators where the CPU takes its time pondering moves.
Then there’s the online support, or lack thereof. Only Duel Monsters 4 supports dueling and trading with other players, and since it was a Japan-exclusive title, it’s an odd choice. Even stranger, all games come with cheat menus to unlock cards and bypass duelist point limits. This would be fine if Duel Monsters 4 weren’t split into three versions (one for Yugi, Kaiba, and Joey). While inter-version duels are possible, there’s little reason to do so. Online support for games like Stairway to the Destined Duel or World Tournament 2004 could have been more compelling given their popularity among old-school players. Hopefully, this feature might be expanded in the future, but right now, it feels like an afterthought.
Speaking of strange choices, Duel Monsters 6: Expert 2 is included in full Japanese, despite every other game being translated. While it makes sense given its popularity in Japan during Yu-Gi-Oh!’s heyday, the lack of localization is confusing, especially as it was the basis for the western Stairway to the Destined Duel. Other Japanese versions are selectable from the main menu, making this singled-out inclusion even more perplexing.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is a mixed bag. Diving into the obscure history of Yu-Gi-Oh! before it became an established card game is fascinating; however, the overall package parfois lacks the dedication it deserves. It’s an anniversary collection that feels a bit rushed, with incomplete quality-of-life enhancements, reliance on manuals for complex games, and inconsistent translations. Additional artworks or concept documents could have enriched the package for diehard fans. While standout titles like The Sacred Cards, Duel Monsters 3, The Eternal Duelist Soul, and 7 Trials to Glory shine, the rest feel like slight improvements or complete deviations from the card game spirit. It’s an historical look, but with surprisingly little reverence or love for the series’ legacy.
So, who exactly is Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days for? Those seeking a nostalgic trip down Yu-Gi-Oh! lane might find some joy here. The collection appears extensive, but holding your attention is another matter. I found myself occasionally returning for quick games, but customizing decks and crafting strategies in reworked older games didn’t hold me as I reached the GBA titles. Playing with a friend could have been entertaining, but only one game supports online play, which makes it tough to recommend even for seasoned Yu-Gi-Oh! fans. Go in with an open mind, especially for some offbeat titles, and you might still have some fun. Just be ready to appreciate how far things have come once you’re done revisiting those early days.
