A random 2008 Nintendo DS game is closing in on Metacritic’s number one spot - Dexerto

A 2008 Nintendo DS tie-in is suddenly chasing Metacritic’s crown. Disney’s Cory in the House now boasts a 9.4 user score, putting it ahead of revered favorites like Silent Hill 2, The Witcher 3, The Last of Us, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, and Baldur’s Gate 3 (many sitting at 9.2). The only game still ahead is Sandfall Interactive’s RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, with a 9.5.

What’s happening
Metacritic user scores shift constantly as new reviews roll in, but the DS title is experiencing a fresh surge in activity. If the pace continues, it could overtake Clair Obscur as the highest-rated game by user score.

Why this DS game?
Despite its current user acclaim, Cory in the House was panned by critics at launch, with the two posted critic reviews scoring it 3/10 and 4/10. The turnaround stems from internet culture: a 2013 campaign born on 4chan and later amplified on Reddit ironically framed it as a must-play “anime” game, vaulting its user score as high as 9.5.

A meme-fueled revival in 2026
Interest dwindled over the years, but January 2026 has seen a renewed wave of perfect 10/10 user reviews that’s thrust the meme back into the spotlight. Some users are even downrating Clair Obscur to try to nudge Cory in the House into first place—an example of how coordinated review activity can sway leaderboard rankings.

What it means
This quirky race highlights the power (and volatility) of user-driven ratings on Metacritic. While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 remains on top for now, a continued influx of meme-backed reviews could put the 2008 Nintendo DS game at number one.

Source: https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/cory-in-the-house-metacritic-3304242/