When Yu-Gi-Oh! hit its 25th birthday last year, fans old and new couldn’t help but feel time catching up with them. To keep the celebration alive, Konami introduced a special way to honor this “Quarter Century” milestone with Yu-Gi-Oh! The Early Days Collection. This unique compilation showcases around 14 classic titles from the franchise’s origins on platforms like the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. As someone who still dabbles in Yu-Gi-Oh! card battles, the prospect of this collection intrigued me. My memories of these games were vague, often recalling them as more appealing to anime enthusiasts rather than serious card game players. I wasn’t completely off the mark, but the reality wasn’t as disappointing as I had feared. For most, diving into these classics may be driven by nostalgia, but for the die-hard Yu-Gi-Oh! fans, there’s a certain allure—though you’ll have to search for it.
First things first, let’s tackle the main feature. This set comprises 14 complete Yu-Gi-Oh! games that came out between 1998 and 2005. It ranges from the pioneering Yu-Gi-Oh! games launched on the DMG Game Boy in Japan, now fully localized in English, to the Game Boy Advance’s World Championship series designed as battle simulators, with some quirky experiments mixed in. Though at first glance the collection seems vast, there are a few catches. Early Game Boy titles essentially served as incremental updates, with the evolving rules reflecting the nascent stages of the card game itself. Take Duel Monsters II: Dark Duel Stories for example—it chiefly introduced rule adjustments and new cards. The Western version, Dark Duel Stories (dubbed Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4 in Japan), merely incorporated a zone for trap cards. While it’s intriguing to witness how the game evolved within hardware and card game limitations (especially in Japan), playing these games consecutively could feel redundant for many. Watching the evolution in game design, particularly UI and UX, captivated me initially, but it wasn’t long before I sought out the more user-friendly titles in the collection.
One unexpected gem for me was Duel Monsters 3, previously exclusive to Japan. It plays out following the Monster World arc, where Yugi’s pals find themselves transformed into monsters, stuck in a tabletop RPG run by villainous Dungeon Masters. Interestingly, this game eschews the trading card component entirely. Instead, it features a grid-based system, reminiscent of a simplified strategy game like Fire Emblem. Monsters have unique attack patterns affected by their position on the field and proximity to allies, resulting in battles that feel like strategic puzzles. Combat outcomes hinge on rolling two D10s, which determine the success of attacks, and dice rolls even influence encounter rates with enemies during boss fights. It’s a clever twist, setting it apart from the other games in the collection.
The same distinction doesn’t apply to Dungeon Dice Monsters and Destiny Board Traveler. These spin-offs leverage a board game-style framework for Yu-Gi-Oh!, with Dungeon Dice Monster digitizing the relatively forgotten spin-off. Players contend on an isometric grid aiming to reach the opponent’s dice master. Initially enticing, the game falters due to its lack of tutorials, relying on a cumbersome manual that players must repeatedly consult. This detracts from the collection’s accessibility. While some quality-of-life improvements are present, there are glaring omissions. Manuals reset upon reopening, hindering understanding of complex rules, particularly for games like Dungeon Dice Monsters. The type chart used in earlier titles and RPGs is puzzling, introducing types like “dreams” and “shadow” that don’t appear in the main card game. The absence of a fast-forward feature—despite a rewind option—feels especially frustrating in GBA duel simulators where the CPU’s deliberation drags on.
When it comes to online functionality, the collection stumbles notably. Only Duel Monsters 4 allows for online play and card trading—a peculiar choice given its Japan-only original release. Stranger still, the collection includes cheat menus that facilitate unlocking cards and bypassing duelist point caps. This wouldn’t be an issue if not for Duel Monsters 4’s three-version split, covering decks for Yugi, Kaiba, and Joey. Despite the compatibility between the versions, there’s little motivation to engage online. Expanding online capabilities to staples like Stairway to the Destined Duel or World Tournament 2004, both favorites among nostalgic enthusiasts, would enhance the collection’s appeal. There remains hope for future updates, but currently, online functionality feels more like an overlooked afterthought.
Furthermore, the inclusion of Duel Monsters 6: Expert 2, while popular in Japan, raises eyebrows. Unlike the other games, this GBA title remains untranslated. It’s baffling, considering every other game in the collection is localized. While its influence is acknowledged—serving as a precursor to Stairway to the Destined Duel—its standalone presence feels odd since the other Japanese-exclusive games provide language options in the main menu.
Overall, Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection presents two sides. On one, it’s a fascinating dive into Yu-Gi-Oh!’s quirky origins and how the series evolved. However, while the sheer number of titles is commendable, the lackluster attention to detail lets it down. It feels like a half-baked tribute, with hit-or-miss quality-of-life improvements, the confusion of one Japanese-only game left untranslated, and limited online play. The absence of supplementary content, like artwork or design documents—elements that would have enriched the experience for dedicated fans—speaks volumes. Among the games, standouts like The Sacred Cards, Duel Monsters 3, The Eternal Duelist Soul, and 7 Trials to Glory offer some redeeming value. Yet, many titles seem like minor upgrades or stray too far from the card game’s core. It’s a historical relic, but one that sadly lacks the reverence and warmth it deserves.
So, who exactly is Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days for? For those itching to relive Yu-Gi-Oh!’s heyday, there could be some fun to be had here. While the quantity of games looks promising, maintaining interest might prove challenging. I enjoyed revisiting some titles for casual play, but drafting decks and tweaking strategies quickly grew tiresome when approaching later GBA titles. Having fellow enthusiasts might enhance the replayability, but the limited online capability hardly makes it a must-buy, even for seasoned players. Still, entering with an open mind, especially when exploring the more unconventional titles, might provide some enjoyment. Just be prepared to feel relieved you’ve moved beyond those early days.
