Yu-Gi-Oh!, the latest Japanese game sensation, deals Pokémon's popularity a setback By Nancy Churnin Dallas Morning News Sept. 13, 2002

Rick Song goes first, putting down a Battle Ox.

Morgan Williams counters with Castle of Dark Illusion.

And half a dozen other kids, ages 7 to 13, huddle intently around the coffee table at Rick's Plano, Texas, home waiting to see who will win the Yu-Gi-Oh! match.

Less than three years ago, these same kids were playing with Pokémon cards. Now, Jigglypuff and Pikachu are embarrassing memories.

"I don't like Pokémon that much now," says Morgan, 13. "Yu-Gi-Oh! is more interesting because the same thing never happens twice."

Still, there are lots of similarities between Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! (pronounced You-Ghi-Oh), which in English translates to "king of games."

Both crazes originated in Japan. Each marketing effort is multipronged, with trading cards, an animated television show and video games. And then there are the action figures.

The biggest difference is that Pokémon appealed more to collectors and Yu-Gi-Oh! to kids who play the card game.

Yu-Gi-Oh! has sold more than 33 million books and comic books, 7.5 million video games and 3.5 billion cards in Japan since 1996, according to Mary Mancera, a spokeswoman for Upper Deck in Carlsbad, Calif. The company, a leading sports- and hobby-card producer, has been issuing American Yu-Gi-Oh! cards since March.

"We've had to reprint three times, which is unheard of for us," Mancera says.

Starter sets, which include 50 cards, a game map and a rule book, go for $9.99. The nine-card booster packs sell for $2.99. If you can find them. Rare cards cost more if purchased individually.

Lisa Williams, mother of Morgan and two other Yu-Gi-Oh! players, 7 and 11, thinks her kids are wasting their money. But she allows them to buy cards and play.

"I would rather them play Yu-Gi-Oh! than video games," she says. "At least it's got mathematics and reading and strategy."