Konami has announced a new collection of 14 classicYu-Gi-Oh!games from the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance era, coming to modern platforms in 2025. The news comes as the beloved franchise celebrates the 25th anniversary of theYu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game.
The upcoming release is titledYu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION,and brings back popular titles from the franchise’s early video game history (1998 - 2005). This includesYu-Gi-Oh! Monster Capsule GB, a 2001 game that was previously only available in Japan, and uses a unique grid-based battle system. Other games, likeYu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel, stick closely to the rules of the trading card game, so players can relivethe best duels of the anime. The full collection includes the following games:
As shown on theKonamiwebsite, the collection will be available on Nintendo Switch and Steam on July 01, 2025, and a physical version will be released in the USA and Europe. The physical version will come witha special “Harpie’s Feather Duster” cardas a bonus, which is a great reason to get the physical version ofYu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION.
Konami Is Still Capitalizing Where It Counts
Yu-Gi-Oh! Has Always Been Loved
The release of theYu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTIONisn’t just about reissuing old games; it’s a smart move by Konami to take advantage of the lasting popularity of theYu-Gi-Oh!franchise. This collectionincludes a variety of gamesthat show howYu-Gi-Oh!video games have developed over time, with some being more than just card games. It goes without saying thatYu-Gi-Oh! Monster Capsule GB, whichfans outside Japan haven’t been able to play before,is a notable win for fans. The collection also adds modern features like saving and loading games anywhere and online battles in some titles, which is much better for today’s players.
Every Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime Series Is Connected by One Horrific Dark Trend
Almost all Yu-Gi-Oh! anime shows have included a major tragedy as part of their stories, creating a dark but consistent trend in the franchise.
It serves both nostalgic fans who want to revisit their childhood and new players curious about the earlier games. Bylaunching it on both Nintendo Switch and Steam, Konami already knows where the audience will be. Releasing it during an anniversary is also a smart move, and it capitalizes on the fact that the franchise is still popular,despite whatYu-Gi-Oh!haters think.
Our Take: This Could Restart The Franchise
Is Yu-Gi-Oh! Back?
I think theYu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTIONis a great idea, but I’m aYu-Gi-Oh!fan myself. I played a lot of these older games and thought that Konami should bring back them, so I’m happy to see them return. I’ve always liked seeing older games get a chance to be played again, especially when they areupdated with modern features. It shows that Konami understands what its fans want—an opportunity to look back at the franchise’s influence.
I do have a small concern that some of these games might not feel great to play anymore, especially for people who are used to today’s gaming styles. Older games are great for their time, but dated technology and limitations tend to hurt them when remastered. However, theaddition of updates and improvementsreally helps with that concern. Overall, it’s a smart move that honors the past while also introducingYu-Gi-Oh!to a new audience, so theYu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTIONmay possibly open the door to futureYu-Gi-Oh!games.
