Key Facts
- ✓ Disney Cory in the House, a 2008 Nintendo DS game, is now selling for hundreds of dollars on eBay after a viral campaign.
- ✓ The game's value has skyrocketed from around $15 last year to recent sales of nearly $400, with current auctions reaching $700.
- ✓ A coordinated campaign on 4chan propelled the game to the top of Metacritic's user rankings, surpassing acclaimed titles like The Last of Us and The Witcher 3.
- ✓ Despite its high user score, the game was critically panned upon release, with IGN rating it a dismal 3/10 for its clunky controls and short length.
- ✓ IGN has contacted Metacritic for comment on the user rating campaign, but the company has yet to issue a response.
- ✓ The game's current status represents a unique case where internet virality has completely redefined a product's market value, divorcing it from its original critical reception.
A Cult Classic's Unexpected Rise
A forgotten Nintendo DS title has become an unlikely star in the world of video game collecting. Disney Cory in the House, a 2008 tie-in to the Disney Channel sitcom, is now commanding prices in the hundreds of dollars on eBay, a dramatic reversal from its humble origins as a budget game.
This sudden surge in value isn't driven by nostalgia or critical acclaim, but by a bizarre internet phenomenon. A viral campaign has transformed the game from a critical flop into a coveted collector's item, with prices reflecting its newfound cult status.
From $15 to $700: The eBay Surge
The market for Disney Cory in the House has experienced a meteoric shift. A review of recently-sold listings on eBay reveals that copies of the game have been purchased for as much as $399.97. The frenzy shows no signs of slowing, with active auctions currently setting prices as high as $700 at the time of writing.
This represents a staggering increase in value. Just last year, similar listings showed the game selling for around $15, a standard price for an obscure, decade-old title. The current market is a testament to the power of online virality in reshaping perceived value.
- Recent sales have reached nearly $400
- Active auctions are pushing prices toward $700
- Value has increased over 4,500% from last year's prices
- Completed listings show consistent sales over $100
"The game has some of the clunkiest controls we've seen, the presentation is insultingly stupid, the minigames are hardly games at all, and on top of everything it's really short."
— IGN Review
The Viral Campaign Behind the Hype
The game's ascent is directly linked to a coordinated effort by users of the internet forum 4chan. This community has repeatedly propelled Disney Cory in the House to notoriety, leveraging platforms like Metacritic to inflate its user score. The campaign has been so effective that the game recently stood as the highest-rated title on the site, surpassing universally acclaimed masterpieces.
The game has already surpassed the user ratings for beloved titles such as The Last of Us, The Witcher 3, and Resident Evil 4. As of now, it remains the joint-second best game listed on Metacritic by user ranking, with the top spot, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, not yet dethroned.
Already, the game has surpassed the user ratings for masterpieces such as The Last of Us, The Witcher 3, and Resident Evil 4.
A Critical Flop, A Viral Hit
The irony of the game's current status is rooted in its original reception. When it was released nearly two decades ago, critics were not kind. IGN, a major gaming publication, rated the title a dismal 3/10, labeling it as "awful." The review cited fundamental flaws that made it a chore to play.
The critique was scathing, highlighting issues that would typically doom a game to obscurity. The review stated, "The game has some of the clunkiest controls we've seen, the presentation is insultingly stupid, the minigames are hardly games at all, and on top of everything it's really short." This harsh assessment stands in stark contrast to the game's current high scores and market value.
The game has some of the clunkiest controls we've seen, the presentation is insultingly stupid, the minigames are hardly games at all, and on top of everything it's really short.
Corporate Silence and Market Uncertainty
The situation has not gone unnoticed by industry players. IGN has formally reached out to Metacritic to inquire if the platform plans to intervene and address the user rating manipulation. As of yet, the company has not issued a public comment on the matter, leaving the game's top-tier ranking intact.
This silence creates a unique scenario for collectors and gamers alike. The game's value is entirely divorced from its gameplay quality, existing purely as a symbol of internet culture's ability to subvert traditional metrics of success. For those who own a copy, the current market presents a potential windfall.
- IGN has contacted Metacritic for comment
- Metacritic has not publicly addressed the rating campaign
- The game's high score remains a point of contention
- The situation highlights the power of online communities
A Modern Collector's Anomaly
The story of Disney Cory in the House is a fascinating case study in modern value creation. It demonstrates how a product's worth can be completely redefined by online culture, turning a critical and commercial failure into a high-priced commodity. The game's journey from a $15 bargain bin find to a potential $700 sale is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the digital age.
For now, the game sits at the intersection of nostalgia, irony, and speculative collecting. Whether this price bubble will hold or burst remains to be seen, but for the moment, this "awful" game is a surprisingly valuable piece of plastic.
"Already, the game has surpassed the user ratings for masterpieces such as The Last of Us, The Witcher 3, and Resident Evil 4."
— Source Content
