Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection review (Switch)

Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection, developed by Digital Eclipse and published by Konami, brings together no fewer than 14 classic titles from the franchise’s early years. This compilation, launching on the Switch alongside a PC version, is a mix of nostalgia and archival preservation, offering both previously localized and Japan-exclusive games to a global audience for the first time. However, while it successfully showcases the franchise’s evolution, the collection also highlights some of the limitations and growing pains of these older titles.

The selection covers a range of gameplay styles, from traditional card dueling in titles like Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul to strategic board game variants such as Dungeon Dice Monsters and Destiny Board Traveler. The inclusion of multiple dueling-focused games reveals how the mechanics evolved over time, from the simplistic early installments to more refined versions that align better with the official trading card game rules. However, this variety can also be a double-edged sword, as some titles feel redundant due to overlapping or outdated mechanics. Additionally, newcomers may find the older, less intuitive interfaces and lack of proper tutorials a hurdle when trying to grasp the gameplay nuances.

One of the strongest additions to the collection is its set of quality-of-life features. The ability to save anywhere, rewind gameplay, and even bypass some of the original progression restrictions (such as Deck Capacity and Duelist Level) makes revisiting these games more convenient. These enhancements soften the experience, making it more accessible to modern players while preserving the core gameplay. However, despite these improvements, some technical limitations remain. The user interface, originally designed for small handheld screens, hasn’t been fully optimized for larger displays, making some menus and text difficult to read.

Visually, the games retain their original pixel art, which adds to the nostalgic charm but also exposes the graphical limitations of their respective eras. The collection lacks substantial visual upgrades, relying instead on the inherent appeal of its retro aesthetic. While longtime fans will likely appreciate this authenticity, the absence of any graphical touch-ups or optional enhancements may disappoint those looking for a more polished presentation. Similarly, the audio remains untouched, with the chiptune-style music and sound effects carrying over from the original releases. While this is faithful to the source material, the lack of remastered or improved sound design feels like a missed opportunity.

A major drawback of the collection is its limited online functionality. At launch, only Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4: Battle of Great Duelists includes online multiplayer, with other titles expected to receive similar support in post-launch updates. Given the competitive and social nature of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, this staggered rollout feels underwhelming, as we were hoping for a more robust online experience from the start.

Ultimately, Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is a well-intentioned celebration of the franchise’s early video game adaptations. It succeeds in bringing rare and classic titles to a wider audience while adding conveniences that make them more playable today. However, the lack of significant visual or UI enhancements, combined with limited online support at launch, holds it back from being an ideal remaster. For longtime fans and collectors, this is a fascinating look into Yu-Gi-Oh!’s digital history, but for newcomers or those seeking a more refined experience, it may feel too dated to fully enjoy.

Score: 7.0/10