Cory In The House Nears Pinnacle Position on Metacritic’s User Ratings, Competing with Clair Obscur

Cory In The House Nears Pinnacle Position on Metacritic's User Ratings, Competing with Clair Obscur


### The Ascent of *Cory in the House*: A Memetic Sensation in Video Game Rankings

The 2008 Nintendo DS title *Cory in the House* has recently gained exceptional attention in the competitive world of video game rankings. Following what appears to be a grassroots initiative on Reddit, the game is ready to unseat *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* as Metacritic’s highest user-rated video game, a shift that underscores the unique interaction between online communities and gaming culture.

#### A Cult Favorite Redefined

Although it initially received negative feedback from critics upon its launch, *Cory in the House*, inspired by the Disney Channel series of the same name, has transformed into a cultural meme that connects with a broad audience. The game’s distinct appeal has ignited a lasting online presence, marked by a blend of nostalgia and irony. Its rise in user rankings can be linked to a coordinated reverse review bombing effort led by members of the /v/ board on 4chan in 2013, positioning it as a humorous counterstatement within the gaming sphere. This initiative highlighted the game, propelling it to the #1 most-requested FAQ on GameFAQs and subsequently earning a user score of 9.5, making it the second-highest rated Nintendo DS game on Metacritic.

#### Contextual Background and User Ratings

In August 2025, *Cory in the House* saw a minor drop, settling at a 9.3 user review score, ranking as the 7th highest on Metacritic. Nonetheless, recent months have sparked renewed enthusiasm, prompting a remarkable rise in its rankings. By late December 2025, *Cory in the House* had impressively ascended to the second-highest user-rated game, trailing only *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*.

*Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, launched in April of the preceding year, swiftly claimed the title of highest user-rated game on Metacritic with an initial score of 9.7, bolstered by accolades at the 2025 Game Awards. However, a sudden backlash in social media discussions has seemingly influenced its decline; while it remains a well-regarded title, it has recently fallen to a 9.5 user rating.

#### The Social Media Instigator

The catalyst for *Cory in the House* appears to be the growing engagement on sites like Reddit. On January 11, 2026, threads emphasizing *Cory in the House’s* impressive user rating began to circulate, receiving thousands of upvotes and revitalizing interest. A thread on the r/videogames subreddit attracted 6.1 thousand upvotes while a subsequent conversation in the r/gaming subreddit garnered 15,000 upvotes. This natural wave of support contrasts with earlier strategic campaigns, marking a significant moment in the game’s revival.

This renewed attention has resulted in an influx of perfect 10 ratings for *Cory in the House*, with numerous users recently submitting flawless scores. Simultaneously, there have been suspicious 0 ratings for *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, indicating that while the discourse around *Cory in the House* has intensified, its rival’s reputation has come under scrutiny.

#### Conclusion: The Way Ahead

Though *Cory in the House* still has distance to cover before it officially claims the top position, its trajectory within the user rankings undeniably demonstrates the dynamic and occasionally unpredictable characteristics of online gaming culture. Given the current momentum, it appears increasingly probable that this game, once deemed mediocre, could soon enjoy its time at the pinnacle of the Metacritic leaderboard. As this story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of how community engagement can reshape a game’s legacy in the constantly evolving world of video gaming.