Review · RPG · iOS · PC · Android
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links
Reviewed: 01 May 2026
iOS · PC · Android
Konami Digital Entertainment · 2017
Ludograph rating
D
Caution
32 /100
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links is a card game that builds strategic thinking and problem-solving, though it has risks of compulsion-forming design.
Growth (BDS)
35
Risk (RIS)
70
Daily limit
–
Age guidance
7+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.76 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.00 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.15 | |
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links is a digital card game that offers deep strategic and critical thinking challenges. Players must build effective decks, anticipate opponents' moves, and adapt their strategies to win duels. The game also requires strong memory and attention to track card effects and game states. While primarily a single-player or competitive multiplayer experience, it fosters problem-solving and adaptive challenge, which can transfer to other learning domains.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.70 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.42 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.28 | |
The game incorporates several compulsion-loop design techniques, such as variable rewards for winning duels and escalating commitment to build strong decks, which can encourage extended play sessions. Its monetization model, while not including loot boxes or subscriptions, does include pay-to-win elements where stronger cards can be purchased, and currency obfuscation to make spending less transparent. The competitive online environment can also expose players to mild toxicity and social comparison. Given its anime origins, there's a minor risk of exposure to mild fantasy violence.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 0.33 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.00 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 0.00 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.00 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / Horror | 0.00 | |
Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.
Heads up
- Monthly spendTypical real-money spend by engaged players: $0 – $50/mo.
Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: concerns noted·GDPR-K — Not yet assessed·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria
- DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. Likely violations: virtual currency that obscures real-money prices.
- GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.
- ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.
These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.