Yu-Gi-Oh!: The 12 Best GBA Games

Summary

• Yu-Gi-Oh! video games offer unique gameplay elements based on anime content.
• Some Yu-Gi-Oh! Game Boy Advance games were only released in Japan, then updated for worldwide release.
• Yu-Gi-Oh! games on the Game Boy Advance offer various experiences, from traditional dueling to board game mechanics.

Yu-Gi-Oh! video games have been around since the Game Boy Color. The Game Boy Advance era upped the ante on both quality and content. You get to duel iconic characters from the show, play through a story, and sometimes even get your hands on some free promo cards bundled with the game.

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While most Yu-Gi-Oh! games follow the current format at the time of release, some games commit to some surprising gameplay elements based on select anime content. This provides a whole new way to experience the series. Here are the best Yu-Gi-Oh! games on the Game Boy Advance.

Updated on May 5, 2025 by Alexander J Pinera: Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection takes players back to the classic era of Yu-Gi-Oh! games. Back in the day, players could go up against various NPC as they explore the world, collect cards, and progress through a story. Some games lift their plots from the anime while others get creative and introduce new yet familiar elements. In fact, some titles don’t even have you playing Yu-Gi-Oh! traditionally and instead, explore other games from within the world of Duel Monsters. The Game Boy Advance had its fair share of games, some of which explore the sequel series and others that were modified before being released worldwide.

12 Duel Monsters 5 Expert 1

A Japan-Only Exclusive

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 5 Expert 1 is an interesting piece of Game Boy Advance history. For the most part, it plays just like Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul, following the same storyline. However, it has some tweaks that set it apart. It was also only released in Japan.

The booster pack selection is slightly different and the graphics fall somewhat short of the American release. If you’ve played Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul, then you’ve essentially experienced a more complete version. You might even consider the updated version a remaster.

11 Duel Monsters 6 Expert 2

Another Game Updated For A Worldwide Release

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 6 Expert 2 shares a similar history to its prequel, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 5 Expert 1. It’s a game only released in Japan that later got updated for its launch worldwide. It eventually came back as Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel.

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The differences are minor with one of the more notable differences being the layout of the cards. Some characters also have modified percentages as to what cards they can get in the hand at any point. This can raise or lower the difficulty of some duels in comparison to their worldwide counterparts.

10 Yu-Gi-Oh! Dungeon Dice Monsters

So It’s Just Like Duel Monsters

One of the strangest Yu-Gi-Oh! games comes from an episode of the anime. Dungeon Dice Monsters is just like Duel Monsters in that you need to summon monsters and hit your opponent’s life points for game.

The biggest difference is that it revolves around rolling dice and moving across a board to reach your opponent. Each dice gives you different buffs, and you will need to buy upgrades at Yugi’s Grandpa’s Shop. The game revolves around beating different tournaments featuring many of the iconic characters from the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime.

9 Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards

Battle City With A Twist

Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards takes place during the Battle City arc of the anime. This is when official TCG rules started being followed. However, the game does not follow everything word for word. Instead, there are special rules that set the gameplay apart from other games.

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There is no Fusion Summoning and some cards such as Jinzo or Great Moth have abilities more akin to their anime counterparts. In addition to this, the Game Boy Advance game also comes packaged with three real-life prismatic secret rare cards.

8 Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul

Every Day A New Challenge

With over 850 cards to trade and collect, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul is a more traditional Yu-Gi-Oh! experience that has you building a deck, siding cards, and following the official ban list of the time. You’ll also add three additional cards to your real-world collection.

One unique aspect of this version of the game is the day system. After every duel, one in-game day passes, which hosts a series of events. One day, you might receive packs in the mail, while, other days, you get a chance to duel a certain character.

7 Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef Of Destruction

Scavenger Hunt For Millennium Items

Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction is a direct sequel to The Sacred Cards. However, while it takes place in the realm of the anime, it actually diverges into a never-before-seen arc. You don’t play as any of the main cast; however, you do take part in saving the world after the Millennium Items get stolen.

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Because it takes place in a non-canon arc, Reshef of Destruction is able to bring back familiar faces that were one-off characters in the Duelist Kingdom Arc and beyond. The game feels like a Yu-Gi-Oh! scavenger hunt as you visit different locations to collect the stolen Millennium Items.

6 Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway To The Destined Duel

Censorship Strikes

One Yu-Gi-Oh! game that got repackaged when released outside of Japan is Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel. Unlike its Japanese counterpart, it has censored artwork for some of the cards, though some others managed to slip through, such as Dark Magician Girl.

This time, the game has over 1,000 cards but still follows the overall rules of the TCG with various in-game events to choose from. As always, the game includes three exclusive cards, one of which is the always useful Harpies Feather Duster, which is a classic card still used today.

5 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004

The Tournament Begins

Once the official rules of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game were set in stone, video games began to have a more traditional set format. Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 set the stage for a new game each year following that time period’s rules, ban lists, and cards.

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These new rules of the game didn't stop players from cheesing their way to victory. Some of the earlier opponents are too easy with decks consisting of fluff and filler. This makes them easy targets for Traps like Gravity Bind, which just shuts down their entire deck.

4 Yu-Gi-Oh! Destiny Board Traveler

Yu-Gi-Oh! Meets Mario Party

The Yu-Gi-Oh! manga is known for having elements of different board games and not just Duel Monsters. Yu-Gi-Oh! Destiny Board Traveler does this with brand-new gameplay elements that have players moving around a board to collect stars.

The game has you selecting monsters and rolling dice to see who you encounter on the board. There are also 12 different characters to choose from, with four being unlockable through codes. Each character also has their own unique powers that can be used to tilt the game in your favor.

3 Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 Trials To Glory: World Championship Tournament 2005

A Few Minor Changes

By 2005, the World Championship games found their stride. Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 Trials to Glory: World Championship Tournament 2005 doesn’t change much in regards to the gameplay formula. However, it does update the ban list as well as rotate which cards are available.

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A minor change to the gameplay is that you no longer select characters to duel on a screen but freely move around to talk with them and engage in a game. One unique element is that the ban list can change in-game, forcing players to restructure their deck.