Editorial: Konami Finally Fixes the Pricing on Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection
The Bottom Line: If you've been sitting on the fence regarding the Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection, your patience just paid off. Amazon has slashed the price of the Nintendo Switch physical edition to $20 (down from $50). Considering this includes 14 retro titles—some never before seen outside Japan—and a high-value Quarter Century Secret Rare card, we consider this a mandatory pickup for series veterans and retro collectors alike.
Our team has been tracking this compilation since its February launch. While the $50 MSRP felt steep for a handful of Game Boy and GBA ports, the $20 price point finally aligns the value with the content. We’re looking at a five-year snapshot (1998–2003) of a franchise finding its footing, moving from the primitive mechanics of the original Duel Monsters to the more polished GBA entries that many of us grew up with.
The Roster: 14 Games for the Price of a Booster Box
What makes this collection particularly vital for our "In Game News" community is the inclusion of five titles previously locked behind Japanese imports. For decades, players had to rely on fan translations or sketchy ROMs to experience Duel Monsters 4 or the weird, chess-like Monster Capsule GB. Now, they're localized and portable.
| Game Title | Original Platform | Region Status |
|---|---|---|
| Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters (1998) | Game Boy | New (Japan Import) |
| Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters 2: Dark Duel Stories (1999) | GBC | New (Japan Import) |
| Yu-Gi-Oh Monster Capsule GB (2000) | GBC | New (Japan Import) |
| Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters 4: Battle of Great Duelists (2000) | GBC | New (Japan Import) |
| Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters 6: Expert 2 (2001) | GBA | New (Japan Import) |
| Yu-Gi-Oh The Eternal Duelist Soul (2001) | GBA | US Release |
| Yu-Gi-Oh The Sacred Cards (2002) | GBA | US Release |
| Yu-Gi-Oh Reshef of Destruction (2003) | GBA | US Release |
*Note: The collection also includes Dark Duel Stories (US), Dungeon Dice Monsters, and the Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel.
The "Secret Rare" Factor: Why Physical Matters
We need to talk about the physical card. Each Switch copy comes with a Quarter Century Secret Rare Harpie's Feather Duster. In the TCG world, Harpie's is a meta-staple—a "clutch" board clear that has survived decades of ban lists. Given the current market for 25th-anniversary cards, the value of the card alone could theoretically offset half the cost of this $20 deal. While Steam players can get the game for $42.49 via Green Man Gaming (using code JAN15), we strongly recommend the physical Switch version for the tangible ROI.
Expanding the Backlog: Manga and Movie Deals
It’s clear Konami and its partners are clearing the shelves for 2025's new releases. If you’re looking to round out your media shelf, we found several other deep discounts that pair well with the Early Days vibe:
- The Manga: The original 38-volume run by the late Kazuki Takahashi is available in 3-in-1 "Omnibus" editions. Most are sitting around $13–$15 (was $17). For those who only know the anime, the manga’s darker "Shadow Games" origin is a must-read.
- The Movies: Steelbook editions of Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie and Bonds Beyond Time are currently ~50% off at Walmart and Amazon.
- TCG 2025 Bundles: The new Phantom Revenge Booster Boxes have already dipped to $49.44 (from $70), and the 2025 Mega Pack Bundles are an easy impulse buy at $14.
Our Analysis: This $20 price point is likely a stock-clearing move. Retailers like Target and Best Buy are still holding firm at $50, which tells us the Amazon and Walmart drops won't last. If you miss this window, you’re essentially paying a $30 "procrastination tax" for the same 8-bit nostalgia. Grab it now, flip the card if you aren't a collector, and enjoy the most cost-effective way to play Reshef of Destruction without blowing into a cartridge.