The BEST episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters season 1

Every episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters season 1!

Follows the adventures of high school student Yugi, who has a magical secret that comes to life when he plays his favorite card game: 'Duel Monsters.

Last Updated: 3/2/2024Network: TV TokyoStatus: Ended
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Yugi versus Pegasus: Match Of The Millennium (Part 5 of 5)
star
8.34
71 votes

#1 - Yugi versus Pegasus: Match Of The Millennium (Part 5 of 5)

Season 1 - Episode 39 - Aired 1/23/2001

Little Yugi collapses, leaving only the spirit of the puzzle to duel against Pegasus. Pegasus tries to read the spirit's mind, but Tea, Joey and Tristan use their friendship ritual to block him out. Can the mysterious spirit of the puzzle defeat Pegasus alone as the shadow game draw's to a close.

Duel Identity (Part 2 of 2)
star
8.26
69 votes

#2 - Duel Identity (Part 2 of 2)

Season 1 - Episode 30 - Aired 11/14/2000

As the first playoff duel rages, Yugi seems helpless against the power of Mai's Harpy Combo Team. Yugi still won't accept help from the spirit of the puzzle either. But, after some reassurance from his friends, Yugi decides to trust the spirit of the puzzle and together they must think of a plan to defeat Mai.

Best of Friends, Best of Duelists (Part 2 of 2)
star
8.20
70 votes

#3 - Best of Friends, Best of Duelists (Part 2 of 2)

Season 1 - Episode 34 - Aired 12/12/2000

Yugi is shocked as Joey uses the Time Wizard card he gave him as a sign of their friendship against him. However, as the two battle each other and one comes out the victor, they find confirmation of the strength of their friendship that surpasses any duel.

Face Off (Part 3 of 3)
star
8.20
76 votes

#4 - Face Off (Part 3 of 3)

Season 1 - Episode 24 - Aired 10/3/2000

Yugi begins spinning a strategy to put the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon to rest, but he must decide whether to claim victory or spare Kaiba's life. Yugi's heart is split in two, but will the spirit of the puzzle choose compassion, or victory at any cost ?.

Yugi versus Pegasus: Match Of The Millennium (Part 3 of 5)
star
8.15
67 votes

#5 - Yugi versus Pegasus: Match Of The Millennium (Part 3 of 5)

Season 1 - Episode 37 - Aired 1/9/2001

Yugi has found a way to counter Pegasus's mind-reading ability. by switching back and forth between himself and the spirit of the puzzle he is able to destroy Pegasus's Toon World. But, far from being over the next level of the deadly Shadow Game has only just begun.

Best of Friends, Best of Duelists (Part 1 of 2)
star
8.03
69 votes

#6 - Best of Friends, Best of Duelists (Part 1 of 2)

Season 1 - Episode 33 - Aired 12/5/2000

With his pride in his strength as a duelist on the line, Joey challenges Yugi for the right to face Pegasus. In this battle between friends, a fierce match ensues between the two people who know each other's strategies and cards better than anyone.

Double Trouble Duel (Part 3 of 3)
star
7.99
75 votes

#7 - Double Trouble Duel (Part 3 of 3)

Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 9/12/2000

Yugi and Joey each unleash their strongest monster, the Summoned Skull and the Red Eyes Black Dragon, but their strength pales in comparison to the tremendous power of the Gate Guardian. Nevertheless, Yugi and Joey battle on, knowing that even if they defeat the brothers they must still solve the riddle of the doors or remain underground forever.

Yugi versus Pegasus: Match Of The Millennium (Part 4 of 5)
star
7.99
69 votes

#8 - Yugi versus Pegasus: Match Of The Millennium (Part 4 of 5)

Season 1 - Episode 38 - Aired 1/16/2001

Yugi crumples in exhaustion under the crippling power of the Shadow Game. His friends yell desperate encouragement, but their voices cannot penetrate the sphere of darkness. Yugi's chance's of victory are ebbing away, as is his life.

Give Up The Ghost (Part 3 of 3)
star
7.98
91 votes

#9 - Give Up The Ghost (Part 3 of 3)

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/20/2000

Yugi manages to defeat the first Blue Eyes White Dragon, but there are two more waiting in the wings. As the duel rages on the real Seto Kaiba races to save Yugi from defeat at the hands of his own deck.

Keith's Machinations (Part 2 of 2)
star
7.97
65 votes

#10 - Keith's Machinations (Part 2 of 2)

Season 1 - Episode 32 - Aired 11/28/2000

Bandit Keith's Machine deck forces Joey to take the defensive, but, Joey turns the tables on Keith by using his own strategy and his Red Eyes Black Dragon against him. Is victory assured, or does the cheating Bandit Keith literally have one last card up his sleeve.

Champion versus Creator (Part 2 of 2)
star
7.94
72 votes

#11 - Champion versus Creator (Part 2 of 2)

Season 1 - Episode 27 - Aired 10/24/2000

As Kaiba continues his duel with Pegasus, Yugi tells the others about the power of Pegasus's Millennium Eye. Joey seems to think that if the Millennium Eye really had such powers there would be no way for Kaiba to win. Yugi disagrees with this, reminding Joey that Kaiba is the champion of the game - but champion or not is Joey right and will this spell the end for Seto Kaiba ?.

Aftermath
star
7.94
68 votes

#12 - Aftermath

Season 1 - Episode 40 - Aired 1/30/2001

The Pegasus saga comes to an end, but a new journey is about to begin. Yugi meets a mysterious Egyptian named Shadi who enters Yugi's mind with the Millennium Key. What are these Millennium Items, and do they hold the answer to the mystery behind the Shadow Games.

Yugi versus Pegasus: Match Of The Millennium (Part 2 of 5)
star
7.89
65 votes

#13 - Yugi versus Pegasus: Match Of The Millennium (Part 2 of 5)

Season 1 - Episode 36 - Aired 12/26/2000

Pegasus punishes Yugi using the same Toon Deck and mind-reading abilities he used on Kaiba. As Pegasus turns Yugi's monsters against him, Yugi loses the will to battle. Will Yugi's fate be sealed, along with his soul, in a card forever.

Double Trouble Duel (Part 2 of 3)
star
7.88
78 votes

#14 - Double Trouble Duel (Part 2 of 3)

Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 9/5/2000

Yugi and Joey pool their strengths and manage to fend off their opponents' monsters, but things are about to change as the Paradox Brother's summon the almighty Gate Guardian, a monster in the class of Exodia. Is Joey helping Yugi in this duel, or will his lack of experience seal their fate.

Champion versus Creator (Part 1 of 2)
star
7.88
74 votes

#15 - Champion versus Creator (Part 1 of 2)

Season 1 - Episode 26 - Aired 10/17/2000

With ten star chips each, Yugi, Joey, Mai and the others head back to Pegasus's castle ready for their chance to duel him. Inside the castle they find Bandit Keith who is also waiting for his duel with Pegasus. He tells them that they'll have to wait for the current duel to end first, a duel between Kaiba and Pegasus. Can Kaiba defeat an opponent who knows his moves even before he does?.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel (Part 1 of 2)
star
7.85
82 votes

#16 - The Light at the End of the Tunnel (Part 1 of 2)

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 7/25/2000

Mai has fallen victim to Panik, a duelist hired as an eliminator by Pegasus, and lost all her star chips. Yugi vows to defeat him and win them back. Panik, confident that Yugi will fall before his fear inducing deck accepts.

The Heart of the Cards
star
7.81
174 votes

#17 - The Heart of the Cards

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/18/2000

When Seto Kaiba forces Yugi Moto's grandfather to duel him, crushing him and taking his most valued card, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, as a prize, Yugi Moto and his friends Joey Wheeler, Tea Gardner and Tristan Taylor step in and a duel between Yugi and Kaiba begins. But while Kaiba's monsters prove too powerful for Yugi's deck, smashing through his defences, there may still be hope for Yugi if he can put his trust in the Heart of the Cards and claim victory from the jaws of defeat.

Winning Through Intimidation (Part 2 of 2)
star
7.80
82 votes

#18 - Winning Through Intimidation (Part 2 of 2)

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 8/1/2000

Yugi may have found a way to defeat Panik, but has he lost the plot by telling his opponent how he intends to defeat him?. As the Eliminator continues to build his army in the cover of darkness, Yugi must pull out all the stops if he hopes to win the duel.

Yugi versus Pegasus: Match Of The Millennium (Part 1 of 5)
star
7.80
71 votes

#19 - Yugi versus Pegasus: Match Of The Millennium (Part 1 of 5)

Season 1 - Episode 35 - Aired 12/19/2000

Yugi prepares for the ultimate battle against Pegasus with the souls of his Grandfather, Kaiba, and Mokuba on the line. Meanwhile, Tristan and Bakura infiltrate the castle to find the Kaiba brothers, but at this crucial moment, is Bakura once again under the control of the evil spirit of the Millennium ring.

Double Trouble Duel (Part 1 of 3)
star
7.79
81 votes

#20 - Double Trouble Duel (Part 1 of 3)

Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 8/29/2000

Trapped in the labyrinth cave, Yugi and his friends find an alternate exit, but the door is guarded by Pegasus's Paradox Brothers. YugiI and Joey join forces in a team battle against the pair, but the stakes are high, as all their star chips and entrance to Pegasus's castle is on the line.

Face Off (Part 2 of 3)
star
7.78
81 votes

#21 - Face Off (Part 2 of 3)

Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 9/26/2000

Kaiba summons the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon, the strongest monster in his deck - a fusion of three Blue Eyes White Dragon's. Yugi has lost all his powerful Duel Monsters, but fight's on despite the realisation that, rather than toying with him as he did in their first duel, Kaiba is now desperate for a victory and will stop at nothing to win.

Legendary Heroes (Part 3 of 3)
star
7.78
58 votes

#22 - Legendary Heroes (Part 3 of 3)

Season 1 - Episode 45 - Aired 3/6/2001

Yugi and friends rescue Kaiba, but they are still stuck in the game. The only exit is past a fearsome dragon. Can Yugi and Kaiba, two former opponents, work together and face the biggest enemy of their lives.

Duel With A Ghoul (Part 2 of 3)
star
7.76
97 votes

#23 - Duel With A Ghoul (Part 2 of 3)

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/13/2000

Yugi is challenged to a duel by ghostly figure claiming to be the spirit of Seto Kaiba. But with his best cards resting at the bottom of the ocean, Yugi must discover a new strategy as he once again faces the legendary Blue Eyes White Dragon.

Dungeon Dice Monsters (Part 3 of 4)
star
7.76
62 votes

#24 - Dungeon Dice Monsters (Part 3 of 4)

Season 1 - Episode 48 - Aired 3/27/2001

As the Dungeon Dice game between Yugi and Duke continues, Yugi begins to work out the rules of the game, and how to use them to his advantage. And as Yugi wipes out two of Duke's three heart points, it seems that the King of Games is going to keep his crown after all.

Evil Spirit of the Ring
star
7.75
89 votes

#25 - Evil Spirit of the Ring

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/11/2000

Yugi's classmate Bakura, possessed by his Millennium Ring's dark powers, traps Yugi and his friends in a Shadow Game where they become the cards themselves. Not only must Yugi battle to avoid becoming a permanent part of the card game, but also free Bakura's soul from the Millennium Ring's control.