Overview of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection
- The collection will include 14 iconic games from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance eras, spanning from 1998 to 2004.
- It will also showcase five titles that were previously exclusive to Japan.
- Available for purchase on February 27, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and PC platforms.
In preparation for its much-anticipated release, Konami has unveiled the comprehensive lineup of classics in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection. This compilation brings together fourteen beloved titles, including several that fans outside Japan have never had the chance to play.
First announced in February 2024, the Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection serves as part of the celebrations for the franchise’s 25th anniversary. The selected games were originally launched between 1998 and 2004 on various Game Boy platforms, with some even debuting before the physical trading card game was introduced in Japan. Over the past year, additional titles have been confirmed for the collection, and Konami has recently finalized the complete list.
According to the Nintendo eShop page for Japan, this collection will be approximately 4.5 GB in size. Furthermore, the physical version for the English-speaking market will feature one of two highly sought-after Quarter Century Secret Rare cards: “Harpie’s Feather Duster.”Quality-of-life improvements will enhance the gaming experience, allowing players to utilize a save/load feature and engaging in online battles in titles like Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4: Battle of Great Duelist. Additional games are set to offer online battle functionalities in the future, alongside customizable button layouts and options tailored for each title.
Complete Game List for Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (1998 / Game Boy)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters II: Dark Duel Stories (1999 / Game Boy, Game Boy Color)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Monster Capsule (2000 / Game Boy Color)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories (2000 Japan, 2002 US, 2003 Europe / Game Boy Color)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4: Battle of Great Duelist (2000 / Game Boy Color / Includes Online Battles Support)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Dungeon Dice Monsters (2001 Japan, 2003 US, 2003 Europe / Game Boy Advance)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul (2001 Japan, 2002 US, 2003 Europe / Game Boy Advance)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 6, Expert 2 (2001 / Game Boy Advance)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards (2002 Japan, 2003 US, 2004 Europe / Game Boy Advance)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction (2003 Japan, 2004 US and Europe / Game Boy Advance)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel (2003 / Game Boy Advance)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 (2004 / Game Boy Advance)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Destiny Board Traveler (2004 Japan and US, 2005 Europe / Game Boy Advance)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 Trials to Glory: World Championship Tournament 2005 (2004 Japan, 2005 US and Europe / Game Boy Advance)
While some titles in the collection, such as Reshef of Destruction, may not resonate positively with all fans, The Eternal Duelist Soul remains a fan favorite, often lauded as one of the premier entries in the series. Notably, five of the games in this compilation have never reached audiences outside Japan, including the much-anticipated Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4: Battle of Great Duelists, which debuted in December 2000 across three separate versions: Yugi Deck, Kaiba Deck, and Jonouchi Deck. As anticipation builds to experience these Japan-exclusive titles, fans are also vocal about hopes for a potential future PlayStation collection that could feature beloved games like Forbidden Memories and The Duelists of the Roses.
In addition to this collection, Konami has marked the 25th anniversary of the franchise with various initiatives, including exclusive trading card game releases and exciting updates to the free-to-play title Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, which provided players with login bonuses and unique cards in late 2023. The Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is set to launch worldwide on Nintendo Switch and PC on February 27, 2025.
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