One month, and couple weeks, after Comic-Con and the withdrawals are in full effect, so let’s start with Yu-Gi-Oh! Link Summoning at the Yu-Gi-Oh! Booth
Yu-Gi-Oh! plays a rather significant role in my life. I never got into Magic, and I got into the Pokemon card game a little late, so I was constantly trounced by people who spent a lot more money on cards. But being the arrogant, tall for his age, brat that I was, I was sure that I would be better at the card game if the game wasn’t so pay-to-win (a term I swear I made up to degrade my punk friends who spent more money on cards than I did). Then Yu-Gi-Oh! came out and changed the game. Well, sort of. It was a strange couple of months because some people were playing with the actual rules, while others played like the show, and none of the cards really worked like they did on the show. Anyway, when we all started playing it correctly, I ran that middle school lunch room. I was almost undefeated, except for stupid Kyle who stacked his Lord of D. with a Flute of Summoning Dragons, Blue Eyes, and a Red Eyes… This kid had a Red Eyes… But overall I kicked serious ass thanks to Judge Man, Reinforcements, and Ultimate Offering. I won a few tournaments and got the Egyptian God Cards. Then my doctor told me my asthma has cleared up a lot, and my allergies were far less severe, so I started playing football. So I took a break, but I came back when the season was over. The game changed on me… How the hell is Jinzo only 1 tribute? Change of Heart is banned? Time Turner doesn’t skip a turn Ryan, it moves the turn count you effing cheater!!! Anyway- it was a whole new world, and one I tried to acclimate too, but by that time puberty was in full effect and my priorities changed.
Fast forward to now, and I hardly recognize the game. No one uses my favorite cards anymore. But I can’t help but feel intrigued that the game that I was obsessed with for those few years is still going strong. At this year’s San Diego Comic Con, Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! Booth was filled with fans of all types and had plenty of things going on for old and new fans alike. Con goers could easily find the booth by the stream of Fans could create their own token cards, by standing in front of a green screen and posing for a picture that would then be printed on an official Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Card. Token’s don’t have any effect on the game, but having the opportunity to have an official Yu-Gi-Oh! trading custom made and you can use in tournaments is something I think anyone could appreciate. I’m also just a big fan of photo booths.
Duel King
I think that’s what they called him. There is a throne at the booth where the Duel King sits and takes on challengers. I was skeptical at first, but he beat nearly 6 people during my time touring the booth and from what I heard he hadn’t lost a match in the three days since the con started. I mean if I had my old Motion of the Ocean deck, I’m sure I would’ve given him a good run for his money, but I’m pretty sure half my deck is of banned cards now. Also, I say it’s suspect because of his access to cards. But really, he was taking names and having a blast. He was also a gracious winner which makes it a fun experience even if you do lose.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links
Duel Links, for those that don’t know, is a mobile game that simplifies the Yu-Gi-Oh!/Duel Monsters card game to a fast-paced bout against computer-generated opponents, random other players, and friends. It is hands down one of the best mobile games out there, that I no longer play because I spent real money on it and I am afraid continued exposure would result in some overdue bills. At the booth, giant versions of the game were set up for attendees to come play and duel against either Yugi or Kaiba. Players would win badges to mark their accomplishments. Nothing big was announced for Duel Links at the convention, but I was told from a very reliable source that we can be expecting the other Yu-Gi-Oh! series to be making their way into the game over time.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Link System
The new Link System is a new summoning system that introduces new monster zones to the game. Allowing players to have up to 7 monsters on the field. That 7th slot is very hard to get and even harder to maintain, but it is possible. I haven’t been in the game in a long time, but what I really like about the Link System is that it doesnt seem like it’s going to create a huge demand of related cards in order to use them. Unlike the synchro system or elemental heroes, it Link System can be incorporated into even older style decks like I have somewhere. Other than switching out some of my monsters for these new Link System monsters, I feel I would be able to jump right back into this new system. However, I’m still not 100% sure on how it works so I would probably recommend just getting a new starter deck.
Here’s a quick tour of their booth:
And since my tour of the booth, lots of new information came out, so let me get those updates to you:
- Code of the Duelist will arrive on August 4 with 100 cards, including 48 Commons, 20 Rares, 14 Super Rares, 10 Ultra Rares and 8 Secret Rares. The release will feature new Link Monsters such as Gouki the Great Ogre who uses your opponent’s Defense Points against them and Missus Radiant who boosts your EARTH monsters and rescues them from the Graveyard.
- The 2017 Mega-Tins launch August 25 with 3 x 16-card Mega-packs, including 1 Secret Rare signature monster; 2 Ultra Rare variant cards; 2 Super Rare variant cards; and 1 Ultra Rare Token Card. There are two metal store case options with brand-new art – one of Yugi Muto & Yami Yugi, and the other of Seto Kaiba.
And in September:
- The Legendary Duelists booster pack will arrive on September 8, complete with 52 cards and including 10 Rares, 7 Super Rares, and 7 Ultra Rares
- Yugi’s Collector Box launches on September 15 equipped with 1 Starter Deck: Yugi Reloaded; 3 Duelist Pack: Yugi booster packs; 3 Duelist Pack: Kaiba booster packs; 1 Ultra Rare variant art Dark Magician card; and 1 variant art Oversized Dark Magician card
- Code of the Duelist Special Edition box will become available on September 22 fully loaded with 3 Code of the Duelist booster packs and 2 of 4 Super Rare cards – duelists will find one of two Super Rare preview cards from October’s Circuit Break booster pack, either Mistar Boy or Cyberse Beacon, as well as one of two Super Rare variant cards: Skull Meister or the coveted Solemn Strike!
Also, coming this December:
- Circuit Break Special Edition! This box will come with 3 booster packs of Circuit Break guaranteed 1 of 2 Super Rare variant cards as well as 1 of 2 Super Rare preview cards of non-foil cards from the upcoming spring 2018 booster set. Making this the perfect gift for the duel master in your life.
And of course, there are always the numerous Yu-Gi-Oh! shows:
Duelists can now watch episodes of the exciting new Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series, Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS, available subtitled on Crunchyroll. The series will be simulcast with a new episode available one hour after it is broadcast in Japan, at 6:25AM EST (Simulcast currently available in the US and Latin America). Watch here: http://www.crunchyroll.com/yu-gi-oh-vrains!
Duelists can watch a new episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V every Sunday on Nicktoons – check local listings for times. In addition, all-new Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL episodes every Tuesday as well as all of classic Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, andYu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s can be seen on www.yugioh.com in the United States. In Canada, Duelists can watch episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V every Friday and Saturday on Teletoon! For more information on KONAMI or the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, please visit www.yugioh-card.com or call 310-220-8630 to speak directly with a Yu-Gi-Oh! customer support team member.
All of this information is straight from Konami.
Yu-Gi-Oh is here and stronger than it’s ever been. You have the trading card game, the mobile game, the numerous series, the tournaments, and the communities to really enjoy the franchise in many ways. Also, it’s grown so much that it’s cheaper than ever to get into on a strong footing. I think it’s about time for me to make my Joey deck. I always wanted his exact deck from the show, it always threw a wrench in anyone’s play style. Because it relied on chance. Also, it’s really annoying and that’s my favorite way to play any game. Be sure to check back with us soon, since my maintenance duties are almost done and my day job project won’t be eating up 5/6ths of my day anymore.
[…] of Yu-Gi-Oh! thanks in large to Duel Links (available on Android and iOS), and my visit to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Booth at SDCC. And since then, slowly but sure, I decided to spend money on real cards than digital […]