LogFAQs > #956499489

#6: Blue-Eyes White Dragon
First TCG release: Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon (2002-03-08)



You knew this was coming Pete.

Unquestionably the most well-known and popular monster in the game. Im sure everything I could say has already been said. I think a big part of the appeal for me anyway (in addition to being the strongest monster) was that there were only four of them in the world and one guy had three of them. Its a giant dragon with a lightning attack, 3000 fucking attack. And then they combine to make a three-headed version of itself? The cool factor just never stops. I think its a little interesting that the most popular monster of all time ended up being the signature monster of not the protagonist but the rich asshole whose introduction in the series was severely injuring an old man by playing a card game to take his super rare card with the sole purpose of destroying it.

I DID in fact have three Blue-Eyes but it was never all at once. I believe I had two starter decks at one point and got another of the cards in a trade but I had either lost it or had someone steal one of them which meant my dream of being like Kaiba was never fulfilled.

So an interesting discussion thats always been relevant is the different editions and which is THE definitive Blue-Eyes. Im basically repeating whats been said in other videos but as far as collectors interests go, there are the three main editions which have had their values shoot up over time (around $5000 to $20,000 depending on variables like being graded and editions): the version that was in the first booster set as an Ultra Rare (LOB), the version from the starter deck (SDK) and the promotion version from the Dark Duel Stories videogame (DDS). The LOB, SDK and DDS. In most cases, the version from the booster pack would just be the most valuable and sought out after because its the true rare version. Every kid had the SDK and DDS was similarly guaranteed. LOB was not. You could buy an entire box of packs and not get one. But theres something that does hold the LOB one back and its that it has different artwork. If the market value of these old cards is primarily driven by the nostalgia of now-adults who were kids who grew up watching the show and playing the game, how can it be that the definitive version of a card is one that not a lot of kids had? And more importantly for the casual nostalgic crowd, its not the same art that was so prominently featured in the anime (same with Dark Magician). So you have one version that was truly rare but does not feature the same art that everyone is nostalgic for (LOB) or you have the art but not the rarity (SDK). The DDS is a separate case where it does have the iconic art but its a different rarity and doesnt have quite the same nostalgic pull in addition to the aforementioned rarity issue (also theres no 1st edition like the other two). So yeah I think its pretty fascinating case. Ive always been partial to the LOB edition because of the rarity AND the art actually; when I first saw it as a kid, the different art made it stand out and if I could have one first edition of it to have, I would choose the LOB personally.

Question: Which version of Blue-Eyes is your favorite?