In the Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game, players compete in face-to-face or remote duels by using Monster, Spell and Trap Cards. This card game has gained a lot of popularity in recent years.
One of the most prized cards in the game is the Exodia. Released in the first set as an Ultra Rare, this card is one of the most expensive in the game.
Origin
Yugioh trading cards was first introduced in 1999 and has since become one of the most popular trading card games ever created. Its popularity stems from its incredibly committed fan base, which has forged a whole new generation of collectors. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to invest in rare cards, but it’s important to do your research before making any purchases.
The card game was originally based on the manga series Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, which was created by Japanese manga artist Kazuki Takahashi. The original manga had dark tones and was aimed at older teenagers, but it was adapted into a child friendly TV show by 4Kids Entertainment and Kids WB.
The TV show spawned a spin-off trading card game that was released by Upper Deck in 2002. Upper Deck was later sued by Konami for selling counterfeit cards. The resulting lawsuit led to the introduction of the CGC grading system, which ensures that rare cards are authenticated and graded properly.
Formats
While the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game is played all over the world, it is most popular in North America, Europe and Australia. The card game is based on the fictional Duel Monsters game from the anime and has become the best-selling trading card game of all time, selling more than 22 billion cards as of 2009. Tournaments are held each year that award players with rare cards and exclusive game mats. The most prestigious tournaments are the Shonen Jump Championship series.
Booster packs are the main form of card distribution in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. They contain five or nine random cards, ranging in rarity and value. Each booster pack also includes a tournament-legal playmat.
While most booster packs contain only two or three cards, some contain multiples of rare cards, such as the Mirror Force Bandai or the Crush Card Virus. The latter was awarded to players in the 2007 Shonen Jump Championships, and is considered one of the most valuable cards in the history of the game.
Rarities
A card’s rarity determines its value. Cards with higher rarities are more sought after, traded at higher prices and kept in better condition. They are also usually included in pre-constructed decks or special sets with added contents.
Common cards are the least rare in a set and the most easily found. Short Print Commons are slightly harder to find but still easier than regular commons. Rare and Super Rare cards have silver foil for their card name letters but no other embellishments.
Ultimate Rare cards have an embossed effect on the card art, including the borders of artworks and, on monster cards, the Attribute icon and level stars. These cards are hard for Scalers to find as they don’t have the same weight as a normal Super or Ultra Rare card. One example of a rare Yugioh card is Exodia the Forbidden One, which sells for a staggering $15,000. This card was originally awarded to the best players at a tournament and only released in the first main set, Legend of Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
Value
The value of a Yu-Gi-Oh card can depend on a few factors. One is its rarity, which means it’s harder to find. Another is whether it was printed in limited quantities. Lastly, cards with rare art are usually more valuable.
For example, the classic Blue-Eyes White Dragon is a highly valued card, as it’s used by Seto Kaiba in many of his duels. The level 6 monster has 2000 attack and 1700 defense points, which is pretty impressive. A PSA gem mint copy of the card sold for a large sum in early 2021.
Other rare cards include the Stainless Steel Black Luster Soldier, which was a Prize Card given out at the first batch of Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments. It’s currently worth around $10,100. Another valuable card is the Goyo Guardian, which is part of a popular archetype. This version of the card was only available in the Preview Wave 1 of Duel Terminal – vending machines that dispensed unique cards at events.
