

As a result, Marik consistently dismisses him as a mere obstacle to be defeated on his path towards challenging the Pharaoh. Unlike Yugi and Kaiba, who have profound connections to the Egyptian magic central to Yu-Gi-Oh!'s narrative, Joey lacks such ties.

This outcome proves particularly frustrating for Joey, given the constant belittlement he endures throughout the series. Consequently, he forfeits the duel not due to his skill as a duelist, but due to Marik's shadow game abilities. However, the accumulated toll of the relentless damage he has suffered incapacitates Joey, causing him to collapse before delivering the final blow. Seizing the opportunity, Joey draws a monster and prepares to launch a decisive attack on Marik, potentially winning the duel. Against all odds, Joey survives until the final turn of the game with Marik's dwindling life points and no monsters for protection. Despite Joey's inexperience with the intense damage inflicted in the Shadow Game, he persists and even endures an attack from Marik's formidable card, the Winged Dragon of Ra. Joey and Marik engage in a fierce duel during the semifinals of the Battle City tournament.

Yu-Gi-Oh!'s Best Villain Marik Should Have Lost to Joey After defeating Mai and ensnaring her in the Shadow Realm, Yugi's friend Joey makes it his mission to bring Marik down and rescue his captured comrade. Throughout the arc, Marik's dark alter ego, Yami Marik, emerges and engages his opponents in shadow games that inflict real harm with every move. He leads a group called the Rare Hunters, whose aim is to acquire the 3 Egyptian God cards. Marik serves as the primary antagonist in the Battle City Tournament, which is considered Yu-Gi-Oh!'s most significant arc. This duelist would have prevailed over Marik if it weren't for his supernatural abilities. Yugi, the main character of Yu-Gi-Oh!, typically triumphs over the series' main antagonists personally, but it would have been more fitting for another duelist to defeat the ultimate villain, Marik.
