Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection Review(PS4, PS5,PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Android & iOS)

If you grew up watching Yu-Gi-Oh! and collecting cards; chances are you also played some of the classic video games that brought the dueling experience to life. Whether you played the game on classic handheld consoles like the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or Game Boy Advance, these games were a big part of the childhoods of many fans. The games form a part of a memory many would like to revive. Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection packs 14 of these classics into one bundle, now available on Nintendo Switch and Steam.

The collection brings back some serious nostalgia, no doubt. However, it also reminds us that not everything from the past holds up as well as we remember. Some games are still a blast, while others feel more like a history lesson on how far Yu-Gi-Oh! gaming has come.  So, does this trip down memory lane still hold up today? Let’s break it down and find out.

A Nostalgic Treasure Trove

For long-time fans, the collection is a nostalgic journey back to the pixelated battlefields of your youth. For newcomers, it offers a unique look at the evolution of a gaming classic. The collection features a mix of titles released between 1998 and 2004 and is a treasure trove for those who grew up enjoying the games. It faithfully preserves the early days of Yu-Gi-Oh! in an authentic way while making them accessible to a new generation of players.

The collection has a little something for everyone, consisting of 14 titles. So, there is much to explore and a diverse range of gameplay experiences. Fan favorites like Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, Dungeon Dice Monsters, and The Sacred Cards return with the fan-favorite World Championship Tournament series. Whether you’re into classic card battles, unique mechanics like dice-based strategy, or even turn-based RPGs like Monster Capsule, there’s plenty of variety to explore.

Fans worldwide can finally play these titles with official support. Some of these games are being localized for the first time, enhancing their accessibility to a broader audience. This is an unparalleled opportunity for long-time fans to revisit classics that defined an era. For the newcomers, it’s a chance to see how the franchise evolved from its early days, offering a mix of nostalgia and discovery. Whether you are reliving childhood memories or exploring these games for the first time, you can now enjoy them with the convenience of modern platforms and official localization.

Modernizing the Past

Each game in the collection retains its original mechanics. Therefore, players must contend with the old-school interfaces, limited deck-building options, and sometimes, the rules are not standard to other TCG games. For example, the early Duel Monsters games have simplified summoning mechanics that allow you to play any monster without tributing. This is a stark contrast to the more structured modern gameplay. While we might highly appreciate this authenticity from a historical perspective, it might not appeal to modern players.

Digital Eclipse, the developers behind the collection, have done a commendable job preserving and enhancing these classic titles. The inclusion of modern features significantly improves their accessibility. The collection features several enhancements, such as save states, rewind functionality, and unlockable content, making it more accessible than ever. Some of the games, such as Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4 even features online battle support, with potential future expansions of this feature to other titles.

The save states and rewind function are essential for overcoming the challenges of older games. Save states allow you to save your progress at any point, while the rewind function will enable you to undo mistakes, eliminating the frustration of having to start over. You can now rewind a few steps in a duel, making correcting errors or retrying strategies easier. Some of these old games can be brutal, so being able to rewind a bad move or save anytime is a game-changer. 

The ability to fast-forward gameplay is a godsend for grinding through repetitive battles. You can now speed up duels, which makes grinding for cards or progressing through slower-paced games much more bearable. Battling for cards or waiting through slow animations is a thing of the past, as the fast-forward feature allows you to speed up gameplay, making the titles way more enjoyable.

Another standout feature is the option to unlock all cards and modify gameplay rules, which improves the experience and gives you freedom. This feature allows for more casual play or testing of different deck strategies and, therefore, a more tailored experience.

A significant highlight is the localization of these classic titles into multiple languages, including Spanish. This makes the games more accessible to a broader audience, allowing fans worldwide to experience the early Yu-Gi-Oh! titles in their preferred language.  Additionally, players can toggle off certain in-game limitations like Deck Capacity and Forbidden Cards, allowing for a more customized gameplay experience.

Classic Visuals and Authentic Replications

While these games are undeniably charming, they highlight how much the Yu-Gi-Oh! video game adaptations have evolved. The older titles come with clunky mechanics, unusual card effects, and outdated balancing, which might feel frustrating to modern players used to the more refined systems of recent Yu-Gi-Oh! digital games. However, the quirks add to the nostalgia factor for those who grew up with these games.

Since the games are straight ports and not remasters, they retain their original visual aesthetics as the graphics remain faithful to the original pixel art style of the Game Boy and Advance era. However, the ability to customize screen borders and backgrounds helps create a more polished presentation. Some titles exhibit visual issues, such as moving backgrounds during duels that can distract or cause discomfort. Not all games have stood the test of time. Some have poor contrast and color choices, making text and card details hard to read, especially in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch. The lack of graphical and visual upgrades may be a downside, but if you appreciate the authenticity of classic games, you will enjoy the collection.

The Weight of Time

Despite its strengths, the Early Days Collection is not without its flaws. The collection has put in a commendable effort in game preservation, but it struggles under the weight of its dated gameplay and design choices. Considering the age of these games, some have held up better than others. But the limited card pools and simplified mechanics of the early titles can feel restrictive compared to modern Yu-Gi-Oh! Games. Clunky and unintuitive user interfaces further highlight the limitations of the handheld consoles for which these games were initially designed.

The experience of the games in the collection varies significantly. While classics like the Duel Monsters series stand out, others feel less memorable. Some resemble novelties rather than fully developed, polished games with depth and replay value. This inconsistency can lead to an uneven experience.

The inclusion of online multiplayer is a welcome addition, but its implementation is limited. The collection consists of card and strategy games, which are genres that thrive on multiplayer interactions. However, only one title in the collection supports online play, which feels like a missed opportunity. Expanding online functionality to more games would have significantly enhanced the collection’s replayability. 

Verdict

The Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is a mixed bag. It is both a celebration and a reminder of how far gaming has come. It’s an excellent time capsule that preserves the franchise’s early days but struggles to fully adapt them to modern sensibilities. For $49.99, it offers hours of content but requires patience and an appreciation for retro gaming quirks.

The collection offers a unique and rewarding experience for those who embrace the pixelated charm and dated mechanics. It’s a journey through time, a chance to rediscover the classic games that shaped a generation of Yu-Gi-Oh! fans.

However, casual players or those unfamiliar with the older Yu-Gi-Oh! games may find it less appealing. The collection’s appeal lies primarily in its nostalgic value and historical significance. This compilation provides a valuable trip down memory lane.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is a love letter to the origins of the franchise’s video game roots, celebrating their history and legacy. The collection successfully captures the spirit of the early Yu-Gi-Oh! Era, while adding just enough modern features for accessibility. However, the lack of major graphical updates and some outdated mechanics may not appeal to everyone. This collection is a valuable addition for dedicated fans, collectors, and those nostalgic for their childhood duels.