Following the news that EA is shutting down BioWare and canceling the next Mass Effect title, Codename: Universe, the resale price of the PS4 physical edition of Mass Effect Legendary Edition has risen significantly. Sealed copies are frequently selling for over $100, with used copies also fetching similar prices.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition was not a limited release. When it launched in May 2021, it saw wide physical distribution on both PS4 and Xbox One. Earlier this year, used copies were selling for around $19.99, with sealed versions starting at approximately $45.
In the days following the announcement of the studio's closure, one seller sold three used PS4 copies for $100 each on the same day. The current price volatility is mainly affecting the PS4 version; the Xbox version, playable via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, has not been impacted to the same extent, nor have most of BioWare's older titles seen similar changes.
This price surge is seen as sellers capitalizing on players' concerns about the studio and the franchise's future, a trend recently observed in items such as Pokémon Trading Card Game products, Pokémon-themed food, Kingdom Hearts pins, Wolverine claw replicas, cereal, and vinyl records. For physical game collectors, the current high prices reflect market sentiment following the breaking news, rather than any inherent scarcity of the game.