Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Duel Transer pits players in head-to-head battles based on the rules of the real-life trading card game, featuring characters and settings from the third-generation Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series. The game highlights the fast-paced motorcycle duels and incorporates over 4,500 Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, including the most recent additions available at the time of the game's release. The single-player storyline was written for the game. It is set during the second season of the anime series, and introduces 20 new duelist characters. The player adventures across the island of Ragnarok, defeating key opponents to progress. Between matches, characters move on a hex-grid world map, which allows them to explore and choose which encounter to attempt next. The game's two-player modes include the option to use the Wii's Wi-Fi connection, for head-to-head battles between Duel Transer players across the Internet. The initial retail release of the game comes packaged with three exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! cards: "Closed Forest," "Fighter Ape" and "Roaring Earth."