Yu-Gi-Oh! marked its 25th anniversary last year, reminding many enthusiasts of just how quickly time flies. As part of this milestone celebration, Konami unveiled a special collection to honor the game’s legacy. This collection, aptly dubbed “Yu-Gi-Oh! The Early Days Collection,” compiles approximately 14 games from the initial era of the card game series, originating from systems like the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. Being a dedicated player myself, my curiosity was piqued—though I had yet to experience all of these titles beforehand, I remembered them as somewhat rigid and aimed more at fans of the anime than the card game itself. My instincts proved correct. While it wasn’t entirely surprising, I discovered this nostalgic dive carries a peculiar charm, especially for those who truly cherish the franchise. However, finding that charm requires a bit of persistence.
Let’s address the main attraction. The collection features 14 Yu-Gi-Oh! games introduced between 1998 and 2005. Starting with the earliest entries on the DMG Game Boy—previously Japan-exclusive and now fully translated into English—up to the Game Boy Advance’s world championship series, which aimed to deliver an authentic battle experience, and even some intriguing experiments in between. While it seems like a sizable array of games, there are a few nuances. Firstly, the initial Game Boy games largely represent incremental updates to the card game, aligning with the evolving rules of the time. For instance, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters II: Dark Duel Stories primarily introduces new rules and cards to balance gameplay. In contrast, the western adaptation, Dark Duel Stories (known as Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4 in Japan), added just one more zone for trap cards. It’s fascinating to reflect on the swift evolution due to hardware constraints and the card game’s growth in Japan, yet playing these titles sequentially might feel redundant for many. The progression in game design is intriguing, especially in user interfaces and user experiences. But I found myself quickly restarting to explore the more approachable games within the set.
A standout surprise was Duel Monsters 3, previously a Japan-exclusive title. This narrative borrows from the Monster World arc, where Yugi’s friends are trapped as monsters in a tabletop RPG setting. Here, antagonists play the role of Dungeon Masters, completely diverging from the traditional card game format. Instead, players place monsters on a grid reminiscent of a simplified turn-based strategy game like Fire Emblem. Each monster boasts its own attack patterns and gains bonuses based on its position and proximity to allies. Battles turn into intricate puzzles, with outcomes determined by rolling two D10 dice. This unique system governs hits and misses, while also influencing encounter rates during boss sections. Its distinctive nature immediately sets it apart from other titles in the collection.
On the flip side, Dungeon Dice Monsters and Destiny Board Traveler don’t quite capture the same magic. These titles take a board game-inspired approach to Yu-Gi-Oh!. Dungeon Dice Monster, in particular, tries to adapt a relatively overlooked spin-off into a digital format, where players place cubes on an isometric grid to attack the opponent’s dice master. Theoretically promising, the game falters with a lack of tutorials, leaving players to rely on a cumbersome and often confusing manual. Throughout the collection, various quality-of-life features show potential but sadly fall short. Manuals frustratingly reset to the first page upon reopening, making complex rules difficult to grasp (here’s looking at you, Dungeon Dice Monsters). And early games incorporate a type chart that’s anything but intuitive, with types like ‘dreams’ and ‘shadow’ not existing in the core card game. While playing, a rewind option up to a minute is available, yet sadly, fast-forwarding is not—something sorely missed in GBA duel simulators where the CPU ponders each decision for an eternity.
Then there’s the matter of online capabilities—or rather, the lack thereof. Only Duel Monsters 4 offers battling and card trading online. This decision is puzzling, considering its Japanese exclusivity. Equally odd, though, are cheat menus present in all games to unlock cards or circumvent point restrictions. Yet Duel Monsters 4 is split into three unique versions (each focusing on Yugi, Kaiba, or Joey’s decks), allowing dueling between versions but diminishing any real incentive. The collection would have been far more enticing had it offered online support for titles like Stairway to the Destined Duel or World Tournament 2004, a format still cherished by longtime fans. One hopes for later updates, as the current online offerings feel like an afterthought, adding little to the collection’s value.
There’s another peculiar aspect worth noting in this collection: the inclusion of Duel Monsters 6: Expert 2, which presents an interesting dilemma. Marketed as one of the more popular titles during Yu-Gi-Oh!’s peak in Japan, it remains untranslated, sticking out like a sore thumb amidst translated counterparts. Although one could argue it morphed into the western release of Stairway to the Destined Duel, its solitary Japanese exhibition feels awkward, especially when language choice is available from the main menu for all other titles.
All in all, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Early Days Collection delivers a twofold experience. It’s incredible to revisit the formative days of Yu-Gi-Oh!, long before it solidified as the globally recognized game it is today. Yet the impressive game lineup lacks the attention to detail and care it deserves—it sometimes feels like a tribute only half-realized. Without additional artistic touches or insights into the series’ history, its appeal to even devoted fans might wane quickly. While games like The Sacred Cards, Duel Monsters 3, The Eternal Duelist Soul, and 7 Trials to Glory shine, much of the compilation feels like a sequence of incremental improvements or, at times, complete departures from the familiar card game dynamics. It’s a nostalgic record, albeit one that sometimes neglects its profound legacy.
Who might find delight in Yu-Gi-Oh! The Early Days Collection? Die-hard fans longing to revisit the game’s glory days might enjoy a few gems here. Though a significant collection, its ability to continuously captivate players remains debatable. I found myself revisiting a handful for brief sessions—reconstructing decks and strategizing for varied games lost their appeal once I hit the later Game Boy Advance titles. Exploring with a friend could be fun, but with only one game supporting online play, even ardent Yu-Gi-Oh! players might hesitate. If you approach the collection with tempered expectations and an open mind toward its more irregular titles, there might just be fun to be had—just be prepared for that moment you’ll finally be thankful the early days are behind us.
