"The DS gets the King-Of-Games!"

Hello all, this is your friendly neighborhood video game reviewer, and have got a game for you! Yu-Gi-Oh! has been around in the states for quite some time now. I was heavy into the game when it first came out. I was heavy into the show during the Shadow Games. I even went to go see the movie...twice!

BUT!!!!

I hated the PSX game. I loathes the RPGs put out for the GBA. AND I thought that EVERY single console version of the game COMPLETELY missed the mark.

With that said, I hope you understand that even though I am fan of the game and the show, I am not biased towards all things Yu-Gi-Oh!

Now that we have that out of the way let's get on with the review o.k?

The DS's two screens seem to have left developers at a loss as to how to actually use the screens. Most games on the DS use the second screen simply to show stats, while some don't even go through the trouble to put anything on it at all.

Lately more and more DS games are coming out that fully use the capabilities of the system. Yu-Gi-Oh! just so happens to be one of those games.

The game follows a story that revolves around one of Kiba's tournaments (what a suprise) and you spend most of your time traversing a map to get into duels. Just about everyone from the Yugi universe is in this game in some capacity.

The game supports the touch screen functionality and it really does make the game move faster. It's just so smooth and simple to touch the card you want to use - touch the action you want the card to do - then touch the card you want to perform the action on. The game doesn't force you to use the touch screen, but once you get used to tinkering around with the touch screen you'll find it hard to go back to FULL manual input.

Gameplay - If you like playing Yu-Gi-Oh! in the real world you will like playing it in this game. If you like card games but can't afford to buy cards to get better, you'll find this game entertaining and money saving (this game can be played wirelessly with another duelist who has the game). If you hate card games or just don't "get it" I would stay away. The gameplay is straight-up Yu-Gi-Oh! The rules are the same, the steps are the same, and the cards do exactly what they do in the real game.

+ Plays JUST like Yu-Gi-Oh!
- Plays JUST like YU-Gi-Oh!

9/10

Graphics - As I said before, the game takes full advantage of the Ds's capabilities. The upper screen is used for theatrical purposes while the bottom screen is basically just like the GBA Yu-Gi-Oh! games' screens. This is as close as ANY Yu-Gi-Oh! game has come to re-creating the way matches look on the t.v. show. The characters don't look to good, but they don't look bad either. I appreciate what the developers were trying to do, I just can't wait to see what it will look like WHEN (they BETTER try) they do it just a little bit better!

+ Best presentation in a Yu-Gi-Oh! game thus far
- I KNOW it can look better on the DS

7/10

Sound - This is some of the most basic sounds you will ever hear in a video game of this era. The music is alright but the sound effects...PEEE...YOOOO!

+ The music won't cause you migranes
- The sound effects might

5/10

Fun Factor - This is THE most important part of a game in my book. I play the card game whenever I get a chance. Now I can play whenever I want...and I do! As a portable game is everything a portable game needs to be. Matches take as little as 15 min. and are no longer than about 30 min. This is just long enough to help you pass the time in a long line to the movies, waiting for your turn during a Dr.'s appointment. You know, just long enough to entertain. This game has ALOT of challengers and you can challenge them as OFTEN as you want. The card collecting is also a ton of fun. Putting you deck together is smooth and easy. The game has the goods where it counts: providing an accurate portable Yu-Gi-Oh! experience. Oh yeah! Don't forget you can play aganst anyone who has a DS and the game via the wireless function. PRICELESS!

+ This has the goods and will entertain Yugi fans until a better version comes along.

- Someone else HAS to have the game in order to play against them.

9/10

My personal suggestion? - If you like Yu-Gi-Oh! or card games in general you HAVE to get this game. If you already have the GBA titles, this game has enough new stuff to justify getting it. If you don't like card games but like Yu-Gi-Oh! the series, this may or may NOT be your cup of tea.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/02/05