A huge fan of the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game has taken duels to the next level, even the next dimension. He created an augmented reality version that places a 3D version of each character on their card. The monsters even poster and attack on command. The video below from YouTuber SuperZouloux shows off the build, which required learning how to code, designing a custom electronic mat, and installing chips in 3,600 Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. For a game that’s been popular for over 20 years, this is an advancement worth celebrating, even if for now it’s in just one guy’s game room in France.
We learned about this inventive build on Kotaku. Augmented reality trading card games are undoubtedly an idea many people have thought would be an amazing technological feat. It’s impressive that this guy and his team of helpers pulled it off. While the video above has English subtitles, the one below does not. It’s of the first duel played on the new AR system, so it’s possible to understand what is going on even if you don’t speak French.
While it may not be the most popular anime, clearly the Yu-Gi-Oh! fanbase is still going strong. The SuperZouloux YouTube channel is dedicated exclusively to the game. The video detailing the build has nearly 250,000 views in only a few days. And with his enthusiasm and obvious delight at the new technology, we’re sure there are new followers loving his work.
This AR game definitely reminds us of Dejarik, the 3D holographic chess game from Star Wars. And while no one has made a real-life version of that game yet, clearly the technology exists now. We’d love to see that next.
Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.
