Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION

Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION is a compilation of classic Gameboy, Gameboy Color, and Gameboy Advance Yu-Gi-Oh! titles, appealing mainly to fans of retro gaming and series history. The collection faithfully presents the original games with some quality-of-life enhancements like save states and rewind features, though these are limited and sometimes underwhelming. The emulation quality is generally solid, but some localization inconsistencies and interface clunkiness detract from the experience.

Players appreciate the nostalgic value and the opportunity to explore the franchise's roots, but the selection excludes more popular titles, focusing instead on simpler, sometimes frustratingly grind-heavy games. Multiplayer is limited to only two games, which themselves have issues, and the overall presentation can feel barebones. Many recommend waiting for a significant price drop before purchasing, as the current cost feels steep for the content offered. Overall, it's a decent historical collection but not a must-have for casual players or those seeking modern gameplay polish.

Highlights

Players praise the nostalgic trip through Yu-Gi-Oh!'s early handheld games and the faithful emulation of classic titles. The rewind and save state features help alleviate some of the original games' grind and difficulty. The collection serves as a history museum for fans interested in the franchise's evolution. Some games within the set are genuinely fun and offer unique experiences beyond traditional dueling. The inclusion of box art and manual scans adds to the retro charm. Fans hope for future collections featuring PlayStation and DS era games.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the exclusion of popular titles like Duelist of the Roses and Forbidden Memories, limiting the collection's appeal. The menu navigation, especially card browsing, is clunky and tedious. Save states are limited to one per game, and fast-forward functionality is ineffective. Some games, such as Reshef of Destruction, are considered poorly designed and frustrating. Multiplayer options are sparse and unimpressive, and some localization errors exist. The price point is frequently described as too high for the content, with many recommending waiting for discounts.