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Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
gameplay, atmosphere
grinding, graphics
78% User Score Based on 311 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCSteam DeckWindows
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Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION Game Cover

About

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION is a single player and multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Digital Eclipse and was released on February 27, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION brings together classic Yu-Gi-Oh! titles, including rare games previously unreleased outside Japan. Players can duel online, customize play settings, and use rewind and save-anywhere features for enhanced gameplay. The collection also offers a digital gallery showcasing original box art and manuals.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION screenshot
Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION screenshot
Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION screenshot
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78%
Audience ScoreBased on 311 reviews
gameplay9 positive mentions
grinding31 negative mentions
  • The collection offers a nostalgic return to classic Yu-Gi-Oh! games, making it a must-have for fans of the franchise.
  • Quality-of-life features like save states, fast-forward options, and the ability to unlock all cards enhance the gameplay experience.
  • The inclusion of previously Japan-exclusive titles and translations makes this collection valuable for both new and returning players.
  • The price point of $50 is considered too high for the content provided, especially given the age and grindiness of many games.
  • Not all games have aged well, with some being tedious and lacking modern gameplay mechanics, which may deter new players.
  • Online multiplayer is limited to only one game at launch, with many players hoping for future updates to expand this feature.
  • gameplay
    45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay across the collection is a nostalgic blend of strategic deck-building and fast-paced duels, staying true to the mechanics of the early Yu-Gi-Oh! series while introducing quality-of-life features like fast forward and rewind options. However, many players find the gameplay slow and repetitive, with some titles feeling dated and lacking robust online multiplayer options. Despite the historic value and engaging mechanics, the overall experience can be hindered by tedious grinding and unclear progression, making it less appealing for new players.

    • “Gameplay is true to the mechanics of the early series, providing a blend of strategic deck-building and fast-paced duels.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics remain faithful to the originals, but the graphics appear somewhat dated and lackluster due to the age of the games.”
    • “Dungeon Dice Monsters I actually liked this one quite a bit; the rules and how it plays look complicated, but learning through gameplay all the mechanics manage to click.”
    • “Yet, while the core gameplay is preserved and even improved upon with excellent quality-of-life features, the lack of robust online multiplayer and cross-platform support is a disappointing oversight in a modern release.”
    • “Considering how slow the gameplay can be for these titles, having some kind of speed-up option would make the games significantly more enjoyable.”
    • “The gameplay unfortunately is a regression from Eternal Duelist Soul because the deck editing and building is more in line with GBC titles, like watching your deck capacity, which can be tedious, and searching for specific cards is needlessly time-consuming.”
  • grinding
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight that many games in the collection are excessively grindy, requiring players to invest significant time to progress, particularly in obtaining cards and leveling up. While some players appreciate the nostalgia and fun of the gameplay, they also note that the grind can feel tedious and repetitive, especially in older titles. However, the inclusion of quality-of-life features allows players to bypass much of the grinding, making the experience more enjoyable for those who prefer a less time-consuming approach.

    • “It's a great sequel that has one major flaw - it's grindy.”
    • “The other half of the games are really, really grindy, to the point of insanity in several cases.”
    • “Having already beat three games in this collection I've gotten plenty of enjoyment, but beware there is a ton of grinding as well as some terrible card drop rates for the first cluster of games.”
  • graphics
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game collection are characterized by a nostalgic retro aesthetic that faithfully preserves the original art and interface designs, though they are undeniably dated and lack modern enhancements. While some players appreciate the clarity and care in presentation, others express disappointment over the absence of significant graphical upgrades for PC, noting that the visuals feel lackluster compared to contemporary standards. Overall, the graphics serve as a tribute to the franchise's origins, appealing primarily to fans of the classic games.

    • “20/10 realistic graphics and very well composed music.”
    • “Visually, the collection faithfully preserves the original art and interface designs, embracing a retro aesthetic that enhances its nostalgic value.”
    • “While the graphics are undeniably dated, they are presented with clarity and care, ensuring the classic artwork remains vibrant.”
    • “I expected somewhat of a remastered version that had been brought up to scratch at least graphically to play on PC.”
    • “I really looked forward to playing these on PC in the hopes that the graphics would be better or at least more suited for PC, but alas not.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics remain faithful to the originals, but the graphics appear somewhat dated and lackluster due to the age of the games.”
  • story
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players noting a lack of depth akin to mobile endless runners, while others appreciate its epic narrative and character development, particularly in the context of the Battle City arc. Although it retells familiar events with a new character, the progression can feel restrictive due to gameplay limitations. Overall, the story is seen as engaging but not groundbreaking, with some players enjoying the nostalgic elements and tournament-style progression.

    • “Epic story.”
    • “An effort was made to write a compelling story, and it isn't revolutionary, but it's got some neat characterization for otherwise one-note characters.”
    • “It retells the story of Battle City with you taking the role of a new character who essentially duels all of Joey's opponents.”
    • “This game has no story.”
    • “Like playing Temple Run for the story.”
    • “Story progression can leave you stuck talking to NPCs.”
  • music
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is praised for its authenticity and composition, enhancing the overall experience, but some players express disappointment over the absence of a music player and the inability to customize audio settings. While certain titles feature excellent soundtracks, others are criticized for repetitive 8-bit music and lackluster single-player content. Overall, the music aspect is a mixed bag, with high-quality compositions overshadowed by functional limitations.

    • “The presentation places emphasis on authenticity, down to original sprite work, soundtracks, and interface design, allowing players to enjoy these titles without hardware limitations or region restrictions.”
    • “20/10 realistic graphics and very well composed music.”
    • “Certain titles, such as World Championship 2004, suffer from poor single-player campaigns but have terrific music and classic card pools.”
    • “What's more disappointing is the lack of a music player.”
    • “And the music from those games is terrible!”
    • “That means pixel art, repetitive 8-bit music, you can't speed the AI up.”
  • replayability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The replayability of the games is mixed; while titles like Duel Monsters 4 and Dungeon Dice Monsters offer online play and some unlockable content, overall, there is limited replay value beyond unlocking new characters and stages. Players may find the experience repetitive after initial exploration, despite the availability of multiple language options.

    • “ infinitely replayable”
    • “All versions of the game are playable in different languages, which include English, Japanese, German, and French.”
    • “Aside from unlocking new characters (done with secret button commands) and new stages, there's very little replay value.”
    • “Duel Monsters 4, World Championship 2004, and Dungeon Dice Monsters are the only games that are playable online as of this writing.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews on monetization are mixed; some users perceive it as a lazy cash grab, while others argue that the effort put into the game contradicts that notion. However, the $50 price tag is widely viewed as excessive and not well-suited for the content offered.

    • “Some call this a lazy cash grab.”
    • “The $50 price tag is a bitter pill to swallow, and a monetization method I feel works poorly for this collection.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the compilation is praised for its authentic representation of classic dueling, resonating well with long-time fans who appreciate the attention to detail.

    • “The compilation captures the atmosphere of classic dueling with an attention to authenticity that long-time fans will immediately appreciate.”
    • “The haunting soundtrack and beautifully crafted environments create an immersive atmosphere that draws you into the game world.”
    • “Every detail, from the lighting to the ambient sounds, contributes to an atmosphere that feels both alive and hauntingly beautiful.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users report that the game's stability is inconsistent, with occasional freezes, pauses, and glitchy sound effects. While players can rewind to correct mistakes caused by these issues, the presence of bugs and a lack of polish detracts from the overall experience, particularly in competitive settings.

    • “Sometimes there are small freezes or pauses or glitchy sound, but if they mess up your move, you can just rewind the game.”
    • “World Championship 2004 features incredibly mediocre gameplay with bizarre or buggy systems.”
    • “If that game were to get online play, it would be a waste because the duels are a buggy mess.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game resonates strongly with longtime fans, evoking nostalgia for the handheld titles that initially introduced them to Yu-Gi-Oh! Players appreciate the heartfelt connection to their past experiences, suggesting a more streamlined approach to gameplay to enhance enjoyment.

    • “For longtime fans, it offers a heartfelt return to the handheld titles that shaped their first understanding of Yu-Gi-Oh!”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emulator is well-optimized, providing smooth performance and seamless transitions between games, enhancing the overall user experience.

    • “The emulator runs smoothly and it's easy to switch between games.”
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4h Median play time
5h Average play time
2-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION is a role playing game.

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION.

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION was released on February 27, 2025.

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION was developed by Digital Eclipse.

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution, Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, .hack//G.U. Last Recode and others.