Nintendo DS Game Nears Metacritic All-Time Record

A title largely forgotten by the mainstream is on the verge of a monumental achievement in the world of video game ratings. Disney Cory in the House, a 2008 adventure game for the Nintendo DS, is poised to be crowned the best user-rated game of all time on Metacritic. This obscure tie-in, based on a spin-off of the Disney Channel series That's So Raven, is currently challenging for the number one spot.

The game has rapidly ascended the platform's rankings, now holding a formidable 9.3 user score. This places it in a position to potentially overtake the current leader, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which holds a 9.6 average. The title has already surpassed legendary games such as The Last of Us, Half-Life 2, and Resident Evil 4.

The current user rating stands in direct opposition to the game's critical reception upon release. Professional reviews were overwhelmingly negative, painting a picture of a low-quality, rushed product. According to the two professional critiques tracked by Metacritic, the game is far from a masterpiece.

IGN's original review was particularly scathing, awarding the title a 3 out of 10 and labeling it "awful." The critique highlighted numerous flaws:

• Extremely clunky and unresponsive controls
• Presentation described as "insultingly stupid"
• Minigames that were hardly games at all
• A disappointingly short playtime

With such a negative consensus from professional critics, the game's current standing among users is a complete anomaly, suggesting a different motive is at play.

The sudden, effusive praise is not a result of a widespread re-evaluation of the game's merits. Instead, it is the work of a coordinated online campaign, turning the game into a long-running internet meme. The game and its source material have been a recurring joke within certain online communities for over a decade.

Users have flooded Metacritic with ironic 10/10 reviews, using hyperbolic language to mock the game's perceived quality. These reviews stand in stark contrast to the genuine praise found under acclaimed titles. One user, DinoDino316, posted a review stating:

"This game ultimately changed my perspective on life and made me a better person."

Another user, Moguel, added:

"Each day after the sun rises and before it sets I thank God wholeheartedly for the conception of Cory in the House."

This phenomenon is not new; the game has seen similar surges in interest on platforms like GameFAQs and Amazon, often fueled by the notorious imageboard 4chan. A similar campaign in 2013 briefly pushed the game's Metacritic score to 9.7.

This event brings the reliability of Metacritic's user rating system into question. The platform, which aggregates reviews to provide a consensus score, is vulnerable to manipulation by organized online groups. While review bombing is often used to punish developers for unpopular decisions, this case represents a different form of influence: an ironic, meme-driven campaign.

The campaign's success demonstrates how a small but dedicated group can significantly alter a game's public perception on a major review aggregation site. It raises questions about how platforms can distinguish between genuine user sentiment and coordinated manipulation. IGN has contacted Metacritic for comment on the situation, but the company has yet to issue a statement.

Currently, Disney Cory in the House is tied for second place with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, another game celebrated for its quality and depth. The juxtaposition of these two titles on the leaderboard underscores the unusual nature of the situation.

The impending rise of Disney Cory in the House to the top of Metacritic's user-rated charts is a testament to the unpredictable nature of online culture. It serves as a powerful case study in how internet memes can manifest in tangible ways, influencing metrics that many consumers rely on for purchasing decisions.

Ultimately, this situation highlights the difference between curated professional criticism and the often-unpredictable world of user-generated scores. While the game may soon hold a record, its legacy remains one of a critically panned title elevated by a persistent online joke rather than its own quality.