Last year marked a milestone that might have left many feeling a tad older: the 25th anniversary of Yu-Gi-Oh! In celebration of this “Quarter Century” event, Konami has kept the festivities going. They’ve unveiled the Yu-Gi-Oh! The Early Days Collection—a nostalgic nod to the early history of the series through a compilation of around 14 games from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance eras. As a dedicated fan of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game myself, I approached this collection with a blend of curiosity and caution. Many of these entries seemed to lean more into the anime than the card game itself when I last played them. After diving in again, I realized there was some truth to that, but things were not as disappointing as I had feared. For most, revisiting these classics is a nostalgic journey, but die-hard fans might find a unique charm buried within—if they’re willing to dig for it.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Yes, this collection features 14 (!) full Yu-Gi-Oh! titles, spanning from the very first Japanese-only releases on the DMG Game Boy, now finally localized in English, to the Game Boy Advance’s acclaimed world championship series. Initially, it seems like a treasure trove of games, but there are catches. The early Game Boy titles are essentially incremental tweaks reflective of the card game’s evolving rules at that time. Take Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters II: Dark Duel Stories, for instance, which only tweaks some rules and adds cards to balance decks. Meanwhile, the western version, known as Dark Duel Stories (Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4 in Japan), merely introduced a single additional zone for trap cards. While it’s fun to see how the game developed through the lens of old hardware limitations and the card game’s growth in Japan, playing these games consecutively might feel like déjà vu. For me, witnessing the progression in game design, especially the UI and UX, was intriguing, but it wasn’t long before I gravitated towards the more engaging games in the lineup.
Duel Monsters 3 was a delightful surprise. Initially accessible only in Japan, it revolves around the Monster World arc where Yugi’s friends are turned into monsters in a tabletop game scenario. Ditching the trading card format, it places monsters on a grid in a way reminiscent of a basic turn-based strategy game like Fire Emblem. Each monster has its attacks, and positioning them strategically can change the game’s outcome. Battles turn into mini-puzzles, with two D10 dice rolls determining hit success. It’s a cleverly designed system, and the dice even influence encounter rates in boss segments. Its uniqueness makes it stand out from the rest.
The same individuality can’t be said for Dungeon Dice Monsters and Destiny Board Traveler. These spin-offs attempted a board game-like approach, but fell short. Dungeon Dice Monsters was supposed to digitize its lesser-known tabletop counterpart. Two players face off on an isometric grid, unfolding paths to attack the opponent’s dice master. It sounds intriguing but lacks a proper tutorial, leaving players to grapple with a complex, unattractive manual to grasp the basics. Herein lies a significant flaw of the collection: quality of life improvements are lacking. While game manuals can be accessed, reopening them always resets to the first page—a hassle for games with convoluted rules (looking at you, Dungeon Dice Monsters). The early titles and RPGs include a specific monster type chart, with elements that don’t appear in the card game, like ‘dreams’ and ‘shadow’ types. Rewinding is available, but not fast-forwarding, which would have been a welcome addition, especially when the AI takes its sweet time.
Then there’s the issue of online support—or, rather, the lack thereof. Just one title, Duel Monsters 4, allows for online dueling and card trading. It’s an odd choice, considering it was a Japan-only release. Stranger still are the in-game cheat menus for card access and dueling, which lose some of their value since Duel Monsters 4 is split into three character-themed versions. Online support for games like Stairway to the Destined Duel or World Tournament 2004 would’ve been far more appealing to longtime fans. Although future updates might expand the online capabilities, for now, it feels more like an afterthought than a major selling point.
An odd inclusion is Duel Monsters 6: Expert 2, once a beloved title in Japan. Despite all others being translated, this game remains in Japanese. Though its western adaptation, Stairway to the Destined Duel, altered the rules for international audiences, its presence here is puzzling. Most Japanese-exclusive titles in the collection feature language options, yet this one stands apart—a conflicting choice that doesn’t quite sit right.
This collection of Yu-Gi-Oh! presents two narratives. It’s a trip down memory lane to a time before the card game became what it is today, with most modern entries either spinning off the animated series or serving as direct duel simulators. Despite the impressive number of games, the collection sometimes feels underbaked. Lack of attention to detail, such as insufficient user-friendly features and the confusion over why some games are left untranslated or without ample online play options, is a letdown. Missing additions like concept art or design notes could have enriched the package for enthusiasts. While there are standout titles like The Sacred Cards or 7 Trials to Glory, many feel like minor steps forward or departures from the core card game mechanics. It’s an interesting historical compilation, but one lacking the affection and thoroughness its legacy deserves.
So, who would enjoy the Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection? Nostalgic fans eager to revisit the game’s heyday might find some amusement here. It’s a sizable line-up on paper, but only a few games might truly captivate you. Some were fun for casual revisits—tweaking decks and strategies—but by the time I reached the GBA entries, my interest waned. Limited online play reduces its appeal, even for die-hard fans. Still, going into it with tempered expectations, especially for the more offbeat titles, might reveal some fun surprises. Just be prepared to appreciate that we’ve long moved past those early days.
