In the realm of gaming serendipity, a recent treasure hunt led one intrepid gamer to an unexpected discovery—an unopened box of Armored Core: Verdict Day for the Xbox 360, nestled among the refuse of the mundane. While this particular installment may not have garnered the same fervor as some of its counterparts in the Armored Core franchise, its pristine, unexplored state piqued the interest of collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Armored Core, an iconic mecha series from the revered FromSoftware, predates the Dark Souls era, dating back to its inception in the ’90s. With over a dozen iterations under its metallic belt, the franchise has earned a cult following, though not every entry enjoys equal adoration. Armored Core 5 faced criticism, and its direct successor, Verdict Day, fared no better in the eyes of critics.
Enter Yukf00, the gamer who stumbled upon this relic of gaming history. Sharing their find on social media, they unveiled the unopened box of Armored Core: Verdict Day, plucked from the trash yet surprisingly intact. Despite its unassuming disposal, the game’s condition hinted at potential playability, a tantalizing prospect given its sealed state.
The gaming community, quick to recognize the serendipity of the find, showered Yukf00 with comments on the potential market value of their discovery. Windyandbreezy, chiming in with their own experience, recounted snagging the game for a mere $5 at GameStop, only to flip it for a lucrative $90 online. A glance at current eBay prices validated these claims, revealing a demand that sent sealed copies soaring above the $100 mark, with the occasional outlier hitting a staggering $170. Verdict Day, despite its lukewarm reception upon release, had become a rarity, a gem in the world of game collecting.
For enthusiasts wary of the exorbitant prices attached to relics of gaming’s past, a glimmer of hope emerges on the horizon. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is slated for release on August 25, 2023. Promising a departure from the Soulslike influences, the new title aims to cater to the traditional fans with its fast-paced gameplay.
As the tale of the discarded treasure unfolds, it serves as a testament to the enduring allure of gaming nostalgia and the unexpected windfalls that can emerge from the most unlikely places. Armored Core: Verdict Day, once relegated to the shadows of its franchise, now stands as a sought-after artifact, a testament to the cyclical nature of gaming fascination. Available for PS3 and Xbox 360, it continues to command attention, even as the anticipation for the franchise’s future builds with the impending release of Armored Core 6.
