Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION: A Nostalgic Duel with Time

Reliving the Card Game Craze, One Pixel at a Time

Launch Day Larry

Ah, Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION, a time capsule of pixelated dueling glory that promises to transport you back to the days when your biggest worry was whether your Blue Eyes White Dragon would survive another turn. This collection of 14 games is a love letter to fans of the original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance titles, but like any good love story, it comes with its fair share of drama.

Gameplay: A Duel of Nostalgia and Modern Frustrations

The gameplay in Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION is a delightful blend of nostalgia and modern enhancements, offering a trip down memory lane for those who fondly remember the 90s and 2000s. The pixel art and 8-bit music are like a warm hug from the past, and the collection’s quality of life improvements, such as the ability to rewind misplays and unlock all cards, are a godsend for those who prefer their duels without the grind.

However, the collection isn’t without its hiccups. Control issues are a significant thorn in the side, with many players reporting broken controls that make progressing past the title screen feel like a duel with Exodia himself. The lack of control mapping and reliance on generic emulator controls can be a nightmare, especially for those with keyboards that seem to have misplaced their arrow keys. Meanwhile, the absence of features like speed-up options and multiple save states is a glaring oversight, especially given the collection’s premium price tag.

Online multiplayer is a notable feature, albeit limited to one game at launch. While plans to expand this are in the works, the current offering feels like a half-hearted attempt at modernizing the experience. The collection’s presentation also leaves much to be desired, with missing features like rotating 3D game boxes and customizable backgrounds detracting from the overall experience.

Graphics: A Pixelated Trip Down Memory Lane

Graphically, the Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION is a mixed bag. On one hand, the nostalgic charm of the original graphics is preserved, evoking fond memories for those who played these games in their childhood. The art for achievements and Steam badges is particularly impressive, adding a touch of modern flair to the collection.

On the other hand, the resolution is capped at 1080p, which feels like a relic of the past in today’s 4K world. The graphics settings are as bare bones as a skeleton in a haunted house, offering little in the way of customization. The user interface and menu design are about as exciting as a blank card, lacking the polish and pizzazz expected from a modern game collection. The inability to rotate 3D game boxes and the absence of customizable backgrounds are missed opportunities that could have added a layer of depth to the visual experience.

Story: A Nostalgic Journey Through Card Game History

The story elements in Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION are a nostalgic journey back to the high-stakes world of children’s card games, deeply intertwined with the anime and manga. Iconic moments, such as the Mystical Elf powering up the Blue Eyes White Dragon, are sure to tug at the heartstrings of fans who remember Yami Yugi’s epic battles.

However, the collection’s story presentation is as basic as a starter deck, lacking the “bells and whistles” that could make it more engaging for modern players. The absence of additional content, such as developer interviews or galleries, is a missed opportunity to enrich the narrative experience. While the collection is primarily valued for its historical significance, it feels more like a museum exhibit than an engaging storytelling experience.

Final Verdict

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION is a nostalgic trip for dedicated fans, offering a substantial amount of content and a glimpse into the history of Yu-Gi-Oh! games. However, it’s best suited for those willing to overlook persistent gameplay and interface issues. The collection’s reliance on cheat codes as enhancements, unaddressed bugs, and lack of polish compared to other collections are notable drawbacks. While it captures the magic of the original experience for many, it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity to bring these classic games into the modern era.

Score: 5.0/10