Review: A Look Back at Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection

Yu-Gi-Oh! marked a significant milestone last year, hitting its 25th anniversary, a moment that made fans, both old and new, revisit their earlier days. To keep the celebrations alive, Konami rolled out an intriguing homage to the renowned card game’s legacy with Yu-Gi-Oh! The Early Days Collection. This collection compiles around 14 classics from its early days, spanning titles from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. As a passionate fan still deeply engaged with the game, diving into this collection was something I approached with eager curiosity—and perhaps a slight apprehension. Many of these titles cater more to fans familiar with the anime than the intricacies of the card game itself. Nevertheless, this nostalgic trip doesn’t disappoint as much as I feared. For devoted Yu-Gi-Oh! enthusiasts, there’s certainly a layer of nostalgia and charm, although one might have to dig a bit to unearth it.

Let’s address the prominent feature first: yes, this compilation includes 14 complete Yu-Gi-Oh! games spanning from 1998 to 2005. From the initial Yu-Gi-Oh! titles on Japan’s DMG Game Boy, now making their English debut, to the Game Boy Advance’s championship series that aimed to offer a true-to-life battle simulator, and everything quirky in between, there’s plenty to explore. At first blush, this appears to be an impressive lineup, but be prepared for some fine print. The early Game Boy releases were largely incremental updates, reflecting changes in the game and its still-evolving rules. For instance, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters II: Dark Duel Stories mainly introduces new rules and cards for better game balance. Meanwhile, the western version, Dark Duel Stories (known as Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4 in Japan), merely adds a single zone for trap cards. It’s refreshing to track the rapid evolution the game underwent, influenced by the hardware’s limitations and the card game’s growth, especially in Japan. However, for many, playing them consecutively can feel repetitive. The evolution in game design, particularly in UI and UX, was a highlight for me, yet after a single match, I found myself gravitating towards the more accessible titles in the set.

A standout surprise for me was Duel Monsters 3. Exclusively available in Japan until now, it traces the Monster World arc, where Yugi’s pals are turned into monsters, trapped in a tabletop RPG with adversaries as Dungeon Masters. This game diverges from tradition, containing no cards whatsoever. Instead, you position monsters on a grid akin to a simplified turn-based strategy game like Fire Emblem. Monsters have unique attack patterns and receive buffs based on their grid position and proximity to allies. Thus, every battle transforms into a mini-puzzle, with the success of attacks determined by rolling two D10 dice. This chance element even dictates enemy encounter rates during boss fights. Its uniqueness makes it stand out in the collection.

Conversely, Dungeon Dice Monsters and Destiny Board Traveler don’t shine as brightly. These spin-offs attempt a board-game-style take on Yu-Gi-Oh!. Dungeon Dice Monsters endeavors to bring the lesser-known spin-off game to the digital realm. Two players engage on an isometric grid, using cubes that unfold strategically to create a path to attack the opponent’s dice master. While promising in theory, the gameplay suffers from an absence of tutorials, leaving players dependent on a convoluted manual—a situation that quickly bred frustration for me. Although the collection’s quality-of-life features aren’t fundamentally flawed, notable gaps persist. Each game includes a manual, but re-opening it always defaults to the first page, complicating efforts to understand the more intricate games, particularly Dungeon Dice Monsters. This is doubly true for the type charts used in earlier games and RPG titles, where monsters can be defeated instantly if pitted against an opposing type. This system features types absent from the actual card game, like “dreams” and “shadow”. While it’s possible to rewind up to a minute during gameplay, the lack of a fast-forward feature is glaring, especially in duel simulators on the GBA where the CPU takes its time deliberating moves.

Then there’s the issue of multiplayer support—or the lack thereof. Only Duel Monsters 4 allows player-vs-player duels and card trading—a peculiar choice given it was a Japan-only title. Stranger still, all games include cheat menus for unlocking cards and bypassing duelist point restrictions. Duel Monsters 4’s split into three versions (Yugi, Kaiba, and Joey decks) somewhat supports inter-version dueling, yet the motivation is minimal. Games like Stairway to the Destined Duel or World Tournament 2004, beloved by fans, would have benefited more from online functionality. Perhaps it might be included later, but for now, the limited online offering fails to enhance or incentivize purchasing the collection.

The puzzling inclusion of Duel Monsters 6: Expert 2 further underscores the collection’s unevenness. Marketed as a popular title during Yu-Gi-Oh!’s Japanese heyday, its inclusion seems logical. Puzzlingly, this is the only game left untranslated, in contrast to others in the collection. While one could argue it paved the way for the western adaptation, Stairway to the Destined Duel, its presence as a standalone piece feels odd. Although other Japanese games are included with their translated counterparts, this entry resides in a separate menu category, adding to the confusion.

Ultimately, Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection presents two sides of a coin. On one side, we have a fascinating dive into Yu-Gi-Oh!’s formative years before it emerged as a powerhouse in card gaming, with later games following animated series or duel simulators closely. Despite the impressive roster of games, the collection lacks the thoughtful care one might expect from a serious commemoration. Quality-of-life features fall short, certain games demand constant reference to manuals, one title remains untranslated, and online play is limited to a single game set. The absence of bonus artwork, concepts, and design documents also diminishes its value for true fans. Among the collection, some titles stand out, like The Sacred Cards, Duel Monsters 3, The Eternal Duelist Soul, and 7 Trials to Glory. Yet, much of it consists of minor series improvements or games that stray far from the card game essence. While it serves as a historical record, the collection seems to lack the affection for its illustrious history.

So, who exactly is Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days for? Those yearning to relive Yu-Gi-Oh!’s glory days might find some joy here. On paper, the number of games is remarkable, but maintaining sustained interest may be challenging. While some titles are enjoyable for quick sessions, the repetitive nature of rebuilding decks and tweaking strategies loses its appeal by the time you reach later GBA entries. It might have been fun to delve deeper with a friend, but the limited online play makes it hard to recommend to even the most ardent Yu-Gi-Oh! fans. However, approaching it with modest expectations and an open mind, especially for some of the more unconventional titles, might still yield a rewarding experience—likely concluding with a newfound appreciation for how far the series has come since those early days.