The TV show was popular, kids love the cards, and parents are left with empty wallets. It’s happening again, a fad has come and gone and parents were forced to oblige to their children’s desires to have Yu-Gi-Oh-Everything. It happened with Pokemon and was later followed by Yu-Gi-Oh! And now we have a lot of Yu-Gi-Oh! games. So how does this new dual-screen version of the popular card game fare?

It’s all in the cards. Despite the comical characters, the “enduring” story, and the multi-season show, Yu-Gi-Oh! is all about the cards. And Nightmare Troubadour does not disappoint. It is a nicely balanced DS title that offers strategy, competition, and hours of fun, albeit some hours of frustration as well. But that aside, Nightmare Troubadour is a game fans of the show will definitely want in their growing DS library, yet it may also be a passable title for those whose interest is elsewhere.

Leave it to Konami to take everything about Yu-Gi-Oh! and transfer it all to Nintendo’s dual-screen handheld. Everything about the game, from the thousands of cards available to collect, to the latest rules of the card game are intact in this latest version. This results in a very deep immersive game for those familiar with it already, but leaves everyone else initially addled. Thankfully, however, the progression of the game is very gradual, so those that are barely jumping into the action can comfortably learn what it takes to be a duel master.

Modes such as the new Puzzle Mode add both a little more difficulty to the game, as well as some “spice.” This mode requires players to complete tasks in limited turns and vanquish their enemies in a timely matter. This requires strategic actions, and many will find this mode to push their thinking a little further, as the difficulty gradually increases. There are also other added features that make Nightmare Troubadour worth picking up. Thanks to Nintendo’s third pillar, features such as touch-screen control, dual-screen capabilities, and wireless gameplay are all seamlessly possible. Thankfully, all of these have found a good home in the DS.

All of the action takes place on the bottom screen, where the player selects his cards, arranges his deck, and organizes everything needed for victory. On the top screen, 3D animations of your card monsters are displayed. During your duels, battles are wages on this screen, giving you a more complete understanding of how your battles are executed. The downside to this is that the graphical powers of the DS are not tapped into completely, which leaves the game looking a bit on the bad side. The graphics could have definitely done with some improvements, but they are only average as they are and may leave some disappointed.

Once you play through Nightmare Troubadour and have uploaded your real cards into your virtual deck, you can take the battle to your friends and challenge them to a duel. One-on-one competitions are not only fun, but can actually be as engrossing as playing the real game. Once you’re done competing, you can also trade cards with your friends and build up your deck. The wireless features of the Nintendo DS are used appropriately, and this adds a new level of replay value.

Nightmare or Not?
Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour has been out for quite some time, and if you have not yet picked this game up, and are a fan of the show, then you definitely have to do so now. There’s nothing amazingly great about Nightmare Troubadour, it is simply a decent game for fans. For everyone else, there are other games available for the DS that might be better choices.

-- Agustin Olvera