Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories
A PlayStation card game set in Ancient Egypt and modern times.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories (released in Japan as Yu-Gi-Oh! Shin Duel Monsters) is a PlayStation-exclusive title that came out in December 1999 in Japan and reached other regions in 2002. Its story is only loosely tied to the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga and anime, splitting its setting between Ancient Egypt and present-day Domino City. Players take part in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game while interacting with familiar series characters.
The main character for most of the game is Atem, the Prince of Ancient Egypt. After the high priest Heishin overthrows the Pharaoh, Atem works to free Egypt from his rule. It later comes to light that Heishin is trying to bring back Nitemare, a dark spirit or demonic being described as an 'evil god' in the game's lore. In the modern-day portion, the protagonist shifts to Yugi Mutou, who enters a tournament and is asked by Atem to retrieve relics held by other contestants—items the Prince needs to finish his mission.
The plot opens in ancient Egypt, where Prince Atem sneaks out to meet his friends Jono and Teana at the dueling grounds. They witness a darker-than-usual ceremony performed by mages, after which Atem duels and defeats a priest named Seto. Back at the palace, his tutor Simon Muran sends him to bed. Simon then learns that Heishin has invaded using strange magic. Heishin uses the Millennium Rod to blast Simon, then threatens to kill the king and queen unless Atem hands over the Millennium Puzzle. Simon, still alive, tells Atem to smash the puzzle to prevent Heishin from using it. Atem does so, and later, after Atem's death, his spirit is sealed into the puzzle to wait for someone to reassemble it.
Five thousand years later, Yugi Mutou puts the puzzle back together. Atem speaks to him from inside it and gives him six blank cards. Yugi carries them into a Dueling Tournament, and after defeating one opponent, a card fills with a Millennium item. He realizes their purpose, completes the tournament, and fills all six cards, allowing Atem to return to his own time.
Back in ancient Egypt, Simon tells Atem that Heishin and the mages have taken over the kingdom using the Millennium items, and the only way to free it is to recover those items from the mages guarding them. Simon then dies. Atem reunites with Jono and Teana, searches the ruined palace, and meets Seto, who gives him a map showing the mages’ locations and asks him to de
- Release (Japan)
- December 1999
- Release (other regions)
- 2002
- Platform
- PlayStation
- Genre
- Card game / role-playing
- Sales (Japan)
- 510,804 units
- Sales (US and Europe, as of 2004)
- Unverified; no reliable source
- Metacritic rating
- Mixed
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
- Publisher
- Konami
- Released
- JP · December 9, 1999 · NA · March 19, 2002 · EU · November 22, 2002
- Genre
- Digital collectible card game
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- PlayStation
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game begins in ancient Egypt with Prince Atem sneaking out to see his friends Jono and Teana at the dueling grounds. After witnessing a dark ceremony and defeating the priest Seto in a duel, Atem returns to the palace. The high priest Heishin invades using the Dark Power and the Millennium Rod, threatening Atem's parents. Atem's tutor Simon Muran tells him to smash the Millennium Puzzle to prevent Heishin from using it. Atem does so, and later, after Atem's death, his spirit is sealed into the puzzle to wait for someone to reassemble it.
Reader's Guide
Five thousand years later, Yugi Mutou reassembles the puzzle and speaks to Atem, who gives him six blank cards. Yugi enters a tournament and fills the cards with Millennium items by defeating duelists, allowing Atem to return to his time. Atem then recovers the items from mages, defeats Heishin and Seto, and ultimately faces the ancient evil wizard Nitemare, defeating him and restoring peace to Egypt.
Did You Know?
- The game sold 510,804 units in Japan; sales figures for the United States and Europe are unverified.
- The protagonist is Atem in Ancient Egypt and Yugi Mutou in modern times.
- The high priest Heishin seeks to usher the return of Nitemare, a dark spirit or demonic being described as an 'evil god' in the game's lore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories and where can I play it?
It is a card game with role-playing elements that was released exclusively for the PlayStation. The title launched in Japan in December 1999 under the name Shin Duel Monsters, then reached North America and Europe in 2002.
Who do you play as in Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories?
Atem, the Prince of Ancient Egypt, is the primary protagonist for most of the game. His central goal is to liberate Egypt from the tyrannical grip of the high priest Heishin, who has overthrown the Pharaoh.
How does Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories relate to the anime and manga?
The plot is only loosely connected to the main manga and anime series. It splits its narrative between Ancient Egypt and present-day Domino City and features familiar franchise characters, but it tells its own standalone story rather than adapting existing arcs.
What makes Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories different from other YGO video games?
Unlike later entries that focus almost entirely on card duels, this title weaves a narrative-driven story around the gameplay. Players progress through the plot while engaging in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game against various characters they encounter along the way.
How many copies of Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories sold?
The game moved 510,804 units in Japan. Sales figures for the US and European markets as of 2004 remain unverified, as no reliable source has been confirmed.
More in Yu-Gi-Oh! video games 1-19
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