Well, to be honest, it DID slow down considering what the previous format offered.
And yes, the game was MUCH slower back then. The only searchers you had available were Sangan and Gold Sarcophagus. Draw power was a luxury at best and traps were a force to be reckoned with.
Hell, that was why Jinzo was so popular. And now look what happened to him.
Sure, the game had some hiccups (That Stratos Deck), but it wasn't that uber. 2008 was probably the best year for this game.