Cheat Codes Won't Help You Here | Reading Reddit Stories

- Hi, welcome to "Smosh Reads Reddit Stories.". I'm Shayne, and today's theme is video games, or gaming as a whole, probably, but video games. And I'm joined by two gamers, Courtney and Trevor. - Yay. (Trevor laughing). - Yeah, we're gamers. - Such gamers. - Yeah. You know, it's kind of ironic that we're here. doing a video game-themed Reddit stories. Today, in 15 minutes, "Hades II" releases, but I'm stuck here with you dumbasses.

- Oh! (Courtney laughing). (Shayne laughing). - You're in every video today. - Yeah, I can't play "Hades II" today. - I could go home after this, and I don't even like "Hades II.". - You should do it. - Just kidding, I love watching him. - Just for fun. (Shayne chuckling). Yeah, I download it, I beat it, I break it. - What the hell, dude? - Reddit stories! - It's fine, I'm gonna be playing it for years to come. I didn't actually play "Hades 1" for like, months after it was released, so. - Neither did I. - I didn't discover it till later on, so. - I loved watching you play it. - I can wait, I'm patient.

Anyways, video games, source of a lot of drama apparently, as we're gonna find out. - Those violent video games bring out violent emotions. - I've had a lot of very highly tense emotional situations. that have arisen because of video games. - Yeah. - So, it's real. - We're ready. - Yeah. It is real. All right. Let's hop in. - [Emily] Shayne, this is a gaming episode. I think we can find something. a little bit more appropriate than the iPad. (Courtney gasping) - Dude, no way.

- What's happening, what's happening? Oh my God, a LeapFrog. He's gonna be playing on a LeapFrog. - Oh my god. - No way! - Dude, that is so funny. - A Steam Deck? - Yeah. - You're able to read. on a Steam Deck? - Oh my god. - Wait, that's so funny. - All right. We have the Reddit stories pulled up. on a Steam Deck. - Can I see what. it looks like? Oh my god! - That's insane. - Emily, that's incredible. - Here we go, our first story. (Courtney squealing). This comes from Am I The Asshole, it was posted about a year ago, August of 2024.

"Would I be the asshole. if I let my daughter continue playing a violent video game?". - Okay. - "I, a 39-year-old man, have a daughter who's 12, who has recently started playing a violent video game. The violent video game in question is. 'The Sims.'". (Trevor snorting). - Okay. - "She has given me. tours of her dungeons where she keeps her Sim's exes, her child labor workforce, and complex love stories.". - Dude, awesome 12-year-old. - Wait until someone informs them, like,

the game is not inherently-. - Yeah. - I hate to inform you, your daughter's the violent one. - Yeah. - "Now, I don't really find anything wrong with this.". (group laughing). Okay, let's backpedal here a little bit, man. "Sure, it's a bit cruel to lock her Sims up, but I just think she's being a kid. It's only become a problem now because of my wife, who's 38. She wants to stop our daughter from playing. because she thinks the game is too violent, but I'm just confused by this, because we haven't typically stopped our kids. from playing violent video games before.

Our youngest, a 9-year-old boy, plays 'Fortnite'. and tried indoctrinating me into the game. Our 15-year-old son plays fighting games too, mainly of superheroes, so I don't really see the problem. with the simulation. compared to the shooting and fighting games our sons play. So, I'm wondering if I would be the asshole. if I just let my daughter continue playing it, even if my wife has concerns. Am I the asshole? - That is so funny. - Yeah, you've introduced a actually, a really interesting thing,

because I think that maybe in this case, "Sims" is more quote unquote violent. Like, you have like games like "Fortnite,". but you're like cartoon characters. running around shooting guns, and like, superhero fighting games is superheroes. But if you take a sandbox game, and you're like, active, and you're using it in a way like that, it's like, I guess it's more violent. I don't think it's a problem, I think it's hilarious, but, it's such an interesting. line to walk. - Yes! - Where I'm like, "Wait.". - I think it's more, I mean, my takeaway is, for one, based on the story, I am getting the read, based on what we have,

is that the parents are not being. as scrutinizing of what the sons are playing. as what their daughters. - Yeah, yeah. - Totally. - You're like, "Oh, well,". it's giving a little bit of like, "Oh, well, boys will be boys,". whereas they're hyper fixating on what she's playing. It's how she's playing the game though. - Yeah. - Yeah, "Sims" is not inherently violent at all. - Yeah. - Unless you add the custom, custom stuff. (Trevor laughing) - Yeah, unless you've got. the violent upgrade. - Violence, sexual, all the things,

but- - I-. Go on. - Just the fact. that it's like, it's not a violent game, and sometimes even the creators of that game will like, put in little notes or things where it's like, "Good job, you killed your Sim really fast. Hope you're proud of what you did on our game," like. - Yeah. - But, I think it's a lesson. You gotta just, just teach your child empathy then, and be like, "Hey, do you realize what you're doing?". - Yeah. - Like, but it's not. the game that's the problem, teach your child something. - It feels like an opportunity to like, show interest in your child's interest and to be like, "Hey, like, oh, this,

what you're doing in the game, what if we tried doing this in the game?". And like, you play it with her and be like, "Hey, there might be a better way to go about this.". - Yeah. - Like and ask more questions, because, yeah, I get being like, "Whoa.". - Yeah. I'm curious if like, if she was like playing "Minecraft" and she was like, "This is my villager farm. where I have them all locked up in cages. so that I can get like the best trades,". it's like, would they be like, "Whoa, she's locking up humanoid figures. and enslaving them?".

It's like, it's- - Right. I think 'cause "Sims,". it's like the most realistic looking. - Yeah. - And like, the most, but it's also, it's the most sexual game. out of all these things, which I would be more concerned about as a parent. than a basement where you're keeping, I don't know. - She's also- (Courtney laughing). Yeah, it's- - It's so funny. - This is so funny. - It is very funny. - Like breaking it out. - But it's also, like the, because my argument, like, playing video games, I'm like, "It's a sandbox game. It's technically like it's whatever you make it.". Like, it's her decisions that she's making. She's being extremely creative with them too,

'cause those are not aspects. that are built into the game at all. - [Trevor] Yeah. - It is the same as "Minecraft.". - Yeah. - Where I'm like, "You could play 'Minecraft' a million ways.". - [Trevor] Yeah. - And if your kid's going around killing villagers, it's not like, well, that's not really what you're. designed to do in the game. - Yeah. - Yeah. - You're making that choice. Play the game with them and like, try to encourage other things. I was playing some "Rollercoaster Tycoon.". I was launching those rollercoasters into space. - We did that. - We did. - You guys did do that! - We literally- - Those little, tiny bodies flew! - We spent like 20 minutes in a mini-games video.

trying to figure out how to launch 'em. as far and as fast as possible. - I think she's bored. I know that there's people who get concerned with. what people can do when they're really young in video games, or like, what can, like, "Oh, is this, does this show a lack of empathy? Is this person gonna be doing that kind of stuff. in real life as an adult?". Like, there's those things there-. - Yeah. - That maybe that's what. the mom is like concerned about. - Right. - I also think. maybe they're just bored, 'cause sometimes you just get weird with "Sims.".

You really just get weird. - Yeah. Well, that's like the thing in "Sims" is like, you spend enough time playing the game, you build a beautiful house and a beautiful family, it's like, "Okay, well I've done it. I guess I gotta lock someone in the basement. or put someone in a pool. and take the ladder out." - Yeah. Guess I gotta. - You gotta have fun. - I gotta do it. - Guess I gotta. - Yeah, there's the element too of like, hey, like your daughter's also 12. She's like, like she's not, she's not a little, tiny baby. Like, she knows what she's probably doing, and it's like, there is also the element of like, Hey, this is this, we know this isn't real.

- Right. - We were (bleep) around here, making stupid stuff. I think the idea of just like, "Well, take it away.". - Taking it away is wrong. - I'm like, I don't think. that solves this situation. - No, and I think it's so right. It's like, well, the sons are allowed to play these games, there's literal weapons and stuff in it, but the daughter, I think it's the lessons you should teach your kid. It's not, like, the video game is whatever you want it to be, like. - They have a 9-year-old who's playing "Fortnite,". which I think that game is technically 13 plus. - And he's probably better than me.

- He's probably really good. - Probably goated. - Probably really good at the game. - Yeah. - I would not, truly like, I mean, look, we work in YouTube, I would not be as concerned with the video games. someone's playing as like, frankly what YouTubers they're watching, what advice they're getting from online. communities and stuff. - Yeah. - Like, but even then, it's like, it's this hard thing of how do you. navigate it? - And like, "Fortnite,". I'm like, I'm less worried about like, the violence of it and the shooting guns versus like, if a nine-year-old is just going into public lobbies, like, with voice chat. - Yeah. - And like, hearing random strangers on the internet.

- Exactly. I think parents should be doing way more research. before they're giving their kids access to games, and anything, just research, everything. - Yeah. - My older brother and his wife, they make sure to watch stuff, but, or play stuff. before they let their kids, you know? - Yeah, my big thing is just like, sit down and talk to her. - Right. - Be like, "Why do you do this?". - Right, that's what I'm saying! - Because it sounds like the response they've gotten. is like, she's telling them like this is funny. - Yeah, which it is.

- Like, because she, which means she's recognizing. the absurdity of what she's doing. She's like, "Yeah, I'm obviously. not gonna do this in real life, this is a joke.". - "I'm 12 years old and this is hilarious.". - Yeah. Comments. Well, the verdict was not the asshole. Comments, "Not the asshole. To be honest, that's what a lot of female players do. Let her have fun, but I'm really sorry your son plays 'Fortnite.'". - Women be locking people up! - It's actually, it's actually really, people talk about like, "Oh, men are playing 'GTA,'. but women are on 'Animal Crossing'.

doing horrendous shit to their villagers.". (group laughing). - Someone said, "Not the asshole, LOL, that's hilarious, but, talk to your wife and find out. why she's so bothered by this. I'm guessing it's just gender stereotyping, IE, not very ladylike behavior, but check in with her just in case she has heard, seen other behavior from your daughter. that raises her concern.". That's valid. Someone said, "Hey, as both someone. who studied child psychology and youth delinquency, and a woman who played both Barbies. and 'The Sims' as a young girl, 'The Sims' is just modern Barbies.

Kids are going to explore the violent and strange. bits of the world no matter how they do it, it's human nature. I used to lock up my Barbies in jail, have servant Barbies and nobles. play out elaborate stories about romances. and murders and cheating. It's how children learn empathy and explore. and learn the realities of humanity. Both 'The Sims' and Barbie are healthy outlets for kids. They can deal with their complex and negative feelings. in a healthy way, even if it looks violent, without hurting anyone. Even if your daughter had a bully. and she made the bully in 'The Sims'.

and then locked them in a room. and starved them until they died, something I did, LOL, that doesn't mean she wants to act out those feelings. in real life, it's cathartic. 'The Sims" look so funny. that putting them in a bizarre and cruel situation like that. makes you feel a little vindicated and makes you laugh. It lets you feel all that and then let it go. Hope this helps.". Well, I think that's... - Yeah. I will say, I think I remember as a kid. trying weird stuff like that on "The Sims,". and then just feeling really bad and then. never doing it again. - Yeah.

Yeah, it's just like, "Wait, okay, I have a playground to like, see, like, experiment." - Yeah. - Like, that is part of being a kid. Like, you don't realize it when you're a kid, like, why you're doing things, but it's like, "Oh, it's your brain learning. Like, it craves things." - It's learning. - Yeah. - I'm never gonna let my kids play video games, 'cause I'm gonna be playing them, and they can watch if they want. - Right. (Courtney laughing). Fair. This episode of Reddit Stories. is brought to you by Zocdoc. I know everyone is spending time online, especially on Reddit and YouTube, looking up nutrition tips or researching symptoms.

when they don't feel well. Maybe, try to avoid doing that. It's best to leave those things to a professional, like Zocdoc! Zocdoc is a free app and website. where you can search and compare high-quality, in-network doctors, and click to instantly book an appointment. There are more than 100,000 doctors across every specialty, and I can quickly find the right doctor for me and my needs. without spending all day searching. With Zocdoc, I can filter by my insurance, by my location, and I can see ratings from highly-verified patients.

This makes it easy to find someone I like and trust. I was someone who delayed going to the doctor. for a very long time, largely because of the complicated process. of finding the right doctor. But, with how streamlined and simple the app was, I had a doctor's appointment set up within the week. Stop putting off those doctor's appointments. and go to zocdoc.com/pitreddit. to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. That's Z-O-C-D-O-C .com slash pitreddit,

zocdoc.com/pitreddit. (upbeat whimsical music). Back to the show. Wow, that's green. All right, this next story comes from Today I (beep) Up. "Today I (beep) up by buying a used PlayStation 2. on Letgo that caused me to face my worst fear.". This story was posted in September of 2017. "This happened only minutes ago. The graphics card in my old PS2.

decided it wanted to give up on me recently, so I decided to replace it when I had a little extra cash. I was out browsing different sites, like Craigslist and the like, when I stumbled upon the PS2 mentioned in the title. It looked like a great deal at the time, $25 to buy it from this guy, whereas a secondhand store in town. was selling them for about $45 to $60. At the time, this seemed like a no-brainer. Now, I should preface this by saying. that I have a strange faith in the honesty of others, benefit of the doubt and all that noise. After all, the car I drive now. is one I bought from a guy on the internet,

and it runs great for something that is 27 years old. Why should this be any different? Starting to sound like a mistake yet? If the answer is no, then have no fear, that is almost certainly about to change. The model the seller advertised on Letgo. was one of the larger black brick models, like the first generation ones. When I finally met the seller, we had a brief handshake and exchange. When he showed me the goods, it was actually one of the slim and silver PS2s. from later in the console's production run. He told me he had already sold the larger one.".

- Oh. - "My first instinct, as many logical redditors would tell me, is that I should have walked away. when I saw I was being sold something. that was improperly advertised. Unfortunately for me, and I guess fortunately for the rest of you reading this, I was not in the most logical mood. It was kind of a shitty drive. to a pretty sketchy part of town, and it had already been a long morning, I just wanted to get this thing and go home. Back at the old ranch, I hooked up the console, slapped in "Kingdom Hearts 2,". and got ready to enjoy the rest of my day. I'm off work and done with class, what else would I do with my evening, right?

I was pretty happy with my life, until I realized I had been waiting for five or so minutes. and the disc wasn't reading. Strange, but not altogether discouraging. I slapped in another game that I knew. for sure was working, didn't read. I repeated this several times with discs I knew would work, same story. Now I'm starting to get slightly pissed, I'm sure you can see where this next part is going. I opened up the app to message the seller. and let him know he had sold me a defective console. Not so much to my surprise, he had blocked me. I've now got no way to contact him. Of course not, he just took me for a (beep) ride.

All I could do at this point was report him. and live in my shame. That, or I could get onto YouTube. and try to find a fix for a disc read error. I picked the latter option and went on my merry way. After a video about a quick mod I could make to the system, I was feeling pretty confident. that I was going to get the last laugh on this one. Oh golly gee, (beep) was I wrong. Now, at this point, I begin to tumble from my perch of the high and mighty. and start snowballing right down that tall (beep) mountain. I managed to get the appropriate screws out. and pry that bad boy open.

It's putting up a little more of a fight. than I saw in the videos, but why wouldn't it? It was never meant to be opened this way in the first place. With a little elbow grease, it starts to give. I'm also starting to spot a bit of rust. in one of the memory card slots. A bit annoying, but the other one was working. a few minutes ago, so I can live with that. The further I get it open, the more rust I see on some more critical pieces. I'm sweating again, but holding out hope. Finally, the plastic casing comes free, and I experience the joy of a man that is working. with his own two hands to solve a problem.

I experienced this joy for maybe a second and a half. You see, after prying the top casing off of the console, the bottom half sort of clattered back down onto the desk. The first thing I noticed. is that the inside is covered in rust. The second thing I noticed. is that some of the rust is moving. Oh, that's not all rust. Oh, son of a bitch, those are (beep) mothering cockroaches.". - What? - "Do you know that scene in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'. where Indiana Jones is like, 'Snakes? Why did it have to be snakes?'. That was me, except with cockroaches. They're the one insect that filled me with more disgust.

than anything else, and now they're crawling on my hands.". (Courtney exclaiming) - Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. - "And these are. the quick little tiny ones that don't give two. (beep) about whether you stepped on them or not.". - No, no, no, no. - "I threw that whole console. on the ground post haste, which only made them more riled up. They're getting everywhere now. I'm yelling for help to my roommates. and stomping the ground like a (beep) madman. in a fit of terrified panic.". - Oh no. - "You would think. that something caught fire with the way I was yelling, which is what my roommate said he thought had happened, but no, just cockroaches. Tiny $25 freaks of nature.

Eventually, I managed to eradicate most of the insect hoard. with stomping and shouting alone, at which point I grabbed a can of Raid from the laundry room. and finished the job. At least, I hope I finished the job. I'm fairly certain there are at least two of those. little (beep) still running around under the bed, but at this point, I'm a little too emotionally drained to care. I also get the extreme pleasure of wallowing in the fact. that I basically just paid $25 to get covered. in my least favorite living thing on the planet. Jesus, it's only 3:00 in the afternoon. and I already need a stiff drink.". - How much money did he spend? - Dude. - 25 bucks. - 25 bucks.

Wow. - But I get it, he's saying, "I've spent 25 bucks. to drive to a shitty part of town, to then get covered in cockroaches.". - Yeah. - Like, he's just like, "Ah, this was a lot.". - I was so read-. I was like, I was like, "What is gonna be inside of that thing?". I was thinking spiders at first. - A curse. - A curse. - A curse. - Yeah. - Poop. - Poop. - Someone pooped in it, and then locked it back up. - Pried it open, pooped in it. - Pried it open, pooped in it, and screwed it back together. - Now, I would never do that in "The Sims.".

- You just bought the Jenkem PS2. - Yeah. - Oh my gosh, that sucks, dude. I wonder if he was able to like, report that user on the, he said that he. reported him, right? - He was blocked. Yeah. - It's not enough money. to like, report to the police, obviously, and. - Yeah, you just have to report it in the app and be like, "I hope this guy gets enough reports.". - Yeah. - That guy's clearly just going around buying, or just getting defective consoles then selling 'em. - Yeah. You go to like, garage sales,

you know? - A dump, I don't know. - Poop. - I would throw up. I would throw up. - That's horrible. - That's awful. - Pry it open, there's just bugs. - Do you think the seller knew. that there was cockroaches inside, or just that. it was just a shitty- - Maybe. I'm just wondering what those cockroaches like, get out of being inside of a PS2. Like, there's no food in there. Like, why are they in there? - It's a home. - It's a home. - It's amazing what they, - The cockroaches. were playing house. - It's amazing. what they can fit into. - Yeah. - Yeah. - Or when they're like, when all it takes is, lay egg. - True. Maybe they'd lived their entire lives in that PS2.

- Yeah. - It's was like their home. - Yeah. - That's all they knew. - Yeah, some "Madden '05" cockroaches. That's all they knew! - Their little feet were like, plugging into the motherboard. - Yeah. - Yeah. - [Trevor] Playing video games. - They've been playing games for years. - They can game. Comments, "How do they survive in such places? Anyways, if you have a PC, you can play PS2 games on it. with your PS2 game pad by downloading PCSX2. It emulates the PS2 in Windows and works very accurately.".

- Awe. - Someone said, "I'm reading r/TodayI(beep)Up, but this feels way too much like r/nosleep.". Yeah. Someone said, "Optics are going out on my PS4. I'm scared now.". Someone said, "Roaches love PS4s.". We have a producer note, "This comment links to a Tom's Guide article. about how roaches are attracted to PS4s, and it got so bad several console repair stores. introduced roach fees.". - I like to suck phones, have I been sucking bugs this whole time? - Maybe. - Bugs love gaming.

- Dude, another win for team Xbox, I guess on that one. - Yeah, bugs hate Xbox. - Xbox says no. I will say, I thought this was going to. a weirdly different worse, where like, I thought this piece too was like, resetting and erasing every game he was putting into it. Like, you know how you can like, burn a CD or whatever? I thought maybe every time you put a disc in, it like, took the game away. - Ah. - I was scared. - That would be crazy. It sucks the soul out of your game. - Yeah, he is just putting it on top of cockroaches, and they're like, "Mine now.". - They're like, "What the hell's that?".

(Shayne groaning). Like, "We hate this game.". "'Kingdom Hearts?". - There's a comment, "So, with the roaches out, does it work now?". And we didn't get a response. from it. - Damn. - So, we have no idea. I would assume no. - I would assume No. - Sounds like there's rust, sounds like it's pretty much-. - Sounds like he probably beat the devil. outta that PlayStation as well. - Yeah. - Yeah. - It's done. - It's done. - It's always a bummer when your console breaks. and it's like, not fixable. - That's so sad. - Yeah. I have a friend who's gone through like four Wiis now, and the only thing he uses it for is a "Guitar Hero.". Just like, different "Guitar Heroes,". and he just keeps going through 'em.

- Wow. It's crazy, because my N64 from my childhood still works. - Wow. - Still works like a charm. - It's always like a gamble, like on like Facebook Marketplace, you go like buy an old console and it's like, who knows? Maybe it's gonna be in great condition, or it's gonna work for three days, you know? - Yeah. - Yeah, you never know. It's kind of fun. (crew member chuckling). All right, let's move on to our next story. I'm gonna move back to the iPad. - I'll take that. - All right, you take it. - Any good games on here, what do we got? Has it been 15 minutes? - I want to hold it too, I've never seen one of these. before. - Oh my God we can read along. (Courtney laughing).

- I don't wanna look, that would spoil it. - Oh, that was the third story, I didn't read anything, I didn't read anything. - Whoa. - All right, our next story comes from Am I The Asshole, and it comes from May of 2020. - Crazy. - Which, is important. - Times, tough times. - Yeah. - This is timely. - [Trevor] Mm-hmm. - "Am I The Asshole for telling. my friends that I didn't want to buy. 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons,'. and calling them out on their fake gaming obsession?". (Trevor snickering). - Huh? - "You're a fake gamer for. playing "Animal Crossing." - "You're a fake gamer.".

- Oh, boy. - Good old CS. - "My friends are generally not gamers. They typically either diss on most games. or have an incredibly warped view of them. For example, one of them thinks that 'Life is Strange'. is the most revolutionary game ever made. because you can choose how the story plays out.". Damn, all right OP. - Okay. - You suck ass. - It's a really good game. - Yo. - Yeah, dude, what the (beep)? - Really good. - Get out of here. - "I tried to explain to her that there's been. several games like that before, and she just went into denial. Anyway, they bought a Switch and 'Animal Crossing'.

because they claimed that it reminded them. of 'Harvest Moon' for the N64. They asked me to get the game since they wanted. to play together, and I refused, saying that I didn't think that was my type of game. They rebuked me, because they know I play a lot of. 'Stardew Valley,' which they claim to be a similar game, and they can't understand why it's pretty different. I also didn't want to pay for the Nintendo Online, which I believe to be useless. I'm part of some Facebook groups. where we discussed various topics, and I was unaware that one of them was public. A guy posted that he had bought 'Animal Crossing'. and that he was deeply regretting it.

because he found the game to be super boring. and almost devoid of any meaningful gameplay. I jokingly commented 'LOL, that was pretty much a given. If a game is so beloved by the general public, it's usually pretty damn bad, because they obviously lose their shit at whatever. and forget about what actually makes a game good.'". - You're gonna die alone. - I hate- - Guy who has-. - OP, OP, stop. - OP, you're gonna die alone. - Dude. - Guy who has 5,000 hours. in "Team Fortress 2.". (group laughing). - "My friend saw the Post and tried to grill me for it. and told me I was basically insulting them.

I told them to comment was a joke, but also explained in general. that there's hardcore and casual games, and that 'Animal Crossing' falls into the casual category.". God, dude. - I need to see this guy's Steam Library. so bad. - Yeah, yeah, dude. - I need. - Show us your (beep), measure your (beep) for us, sorry. - "Which I didn't like, and they did. because they were more casual gamers, which wasn't bad, but was different from my tastes. They went, 'Uh, we're not casual gamers,'. and I told them that 99% of their gaming library.

were casual games. They barely play games and barely know anything. about the medium, to the point where they thought. 'Life is strange' was revolutionary.". (Trevor laughing). - Are they... (Courtney groaning). - "They, again, said that they weren't, and that I didn't know about that, and one of them pointed out how she even has. an N64 logo t-shirt. She has it and always brags about it. and wears it for Instagram pics, like, 'I absolutely love gaming.'. Fun fact, she never actually had an N64. I told her that that shirt. was obviously just for appearances, because the first day she brought it in,

I asked her if she remembered 'Banjo-Kazooie,'. and she said, 'Uh, I don't know that game.'. I thought it was odd, since it's literally. one of the most famous titles in the console, so I asked about a lot of famous N64 titles, 'GoldenEye,' 'Smash Bros,' 'Perfect Dark,'. 'Turok,' 'Conquer,'. and she didn't know any title. aside from 'Mario 64' and 'Zelda: Ocarina of Time.'". - Bitch, those are the best ones! - "She even thought 'Majora's Mask' was a Game Cube title.". (Beep) casual. - Oh my God. (Trevor laughing).

This is so good! - "Whenever my friends lose an argument, they kind of just go into denial mode, and that's what they did here. Now, they didn't bring it up, but I'm wondering if I handled the situation correctly. Was I the asshole here?". - Was I the asshole here? - Okay. - Oh my God, you're a professional asshole. You're a casual asshole. - Oh my God. - OP... - I just wanna say, let's freakin', let's get down into the fundamentals of it, okay? Gaming is literally what you make it. And so, saying, "You're not a real gamer,".

is like saying like, "You're not a real person.". Like, it's like with a, okay, so I'm very into drag, right? And "RuPaul's Drag Race,". you cannot judge or determine whether someone else's drag. is drag or not. That is their passion, they're passionate about it. Calling them casual, they're like, "I don't feel casual about it. I feel very passionate about my island. on 'Animal Crossing.'". Like, you can't diminish someone else's thing, especially, they're inviting you to play this game, not because they're like, "You have to play this game, bro.". They're saying, "Hey, we wanna do this thing together.".

- Yeah, - We're in a pandemic, you know, we wanna like, hang out with you. And this, they're going into these moments of denial. And I'm like, no, maybe they're just stopping and thinking. about how maybe they don't wanna be. friends with you anymore. This is like, so rude. - Yeah. - Yeah. - It's really stupid. Yeah, the I... God, there's so many things that they're just wrong about, in my opinion. One is like, I don't really know if I believe. in casual games, because any game can be casual, but the online community makes.

every game. so intense, right? - Oh, yeah. - Like, I was playing 'Animal Crossing' a ton in 2020, and then for me, it was very casual. I was like, "I'm having fun.". And then you'd go online and you'd visit other islands, and you're like, "Holy shit.". - Yeah. - This game is not casual for this person. I don't know how they did this. - No, literally, I've like seen "Peggle" speed runs, that old game where you just like, drop the balls? - Yeah. - People get. insanely intense. about any game ever. - Yeah. - Like, no matter how it's- - There's a, I think it's Dunkey who, Videogamedunkey who said this.

that I loved, and he was talking about "Mario,". I think he was talking about "Mario: Odyssey,". which is a game like, truly like that kids love. Like it's a game ultimately designed. for kids to be able to play, but he was like, "What's amazing about Mario games. is that they're as hard as you want them to be.". - Yeah. - And I think that's so true. Like, there's always a new challenge. for how to make that game harder. - [Trevor] Yeah. - And I feel like that's kind of true for most games, right? Like, I love "Stardew Valley,". but I'm like, to me, it's casual 'cause I'm playing it casually,

but there are things you can do in the game. that you have to be. locked in to do. - Yeah. - Yeah. - No, I've watched so much, I love, like, "Odyssey,". "Super Mario: Odyssey" speed running, and the things that they do in that game, I have like gone and spent, like watched videos and spent like hours trying. to figure out just the smallest little movement techniques. And like, you're gaming on a different level. - Yeah. - Like, than I. Like, brain isn't even operating on the same wavelength. - Yeah. - Also, 'Life is Strange'. is one of the most impactful. and incredible narrative storytelling games of its time,

and probably of the 2000s, so, that's just an insane take. - Truly. Didn't it win awards and stuff? Like- - Yeah. - Hello? - And it's also like, there are games similar to it before, but like, there's always new things happening, right? Like, I'm such a fan of "Hades,". but it's like, "Hades" wasn't the first rogue like, but it like kind of made like specific formula changes. that people were like, "This is amazing.". - That's what's so cool. Like, we're in such a time where so many video games. are available to us, and we're still able to be entertained.

and not jaded by what's coming out. - And then also, there's a couple more things, one is the N64 conversation is exhausting. - Yeah. - It's just like, someone says they like N64, be like, "Yeah, that's cool that you like a thing I like.". There's multiple levels of liking N64. - I'm like, do you like these people? Like, do you- - Right. - Are you tend to go into patterns. that are gonna be very isolating, you're diminishing everybody else's interests. that they're trying, they're talking to you. about these things because they like you.

and wanna talk about something. they're interested in with you. They're not trying to say they're better than you. Like, it feels like you're trying to establish. that you're better at all these things than everybody else, and that you know better. - Right. - But it's like, it's like going to an amusement park and being like, "I wanna go over on this ride.". And they're like, "That's not a real ride, this is a ride.". It's like, they're all different and fun. for different reasons, like. - Right. - Just chill! - They're exhausting. The fact that they're bringing up "Conquer". as like, famous N64 titles. I'm like, unless your friends are in their 40s,

they were a kid when the N64 was out, and they were not playing "Conquers,". unless they were like me and they were playing it. and their parents didn't know about it. - Yeah. - That's a game that-. - Truly. - That was violent, and my parents, they saw, they were like, "That, you are not playing that game.". - Also dismissing OG games like "Mario" or "Zelda,". like two ones-. - Yeah! - I remember being. in sixth grade and my friend showing me "Mario", for the first time and I remember being too frustrated. and I couldn't play it, and that I never played any of those games.

because I just simply wasn't good at them. I went on to do like "Sims" and other stuff, but like now I'm like, "Wow, that person was so cool. for playing that back then, like, they're legit.". - The most impressive thing I've ever seen in a video game, actually, it was in "Mario.". It was a level from "Mario Maker.". This guy Chain Chomp Braden created a, just the most insane level ever called "Trials of Death,". and it took him like six years or something like that. to make it and beat it. - I think I remember seeing that.

- It was the most, it's like the craziest, like, the YouTube video, I'm sitting there watching it, I'm like, "I don't get it.". - Yeah. - Like, it's any game. Yeah, it's so, it's so silly. - Yeah. It is fun, like no matter what game you play, there's always someone who's turned it. into the hardest thing on the planet. - Yeah. - Because that's for me. with "Zelda: Breath of the Wild.". Like, my favorite game, right? And I play that casually. Like, I'm really good at it 'cause I played it so much, but I play in a way that I'm like, I'm just wandering around doing stuff. But then you'll watch the speed runners who are like, do a crazy back flip on their shield, land on someone,

and then launch themselves to the other side. of the map, and you're like, "What the hell, how did you learn to do that?". - Yeah, and even, let's be clear, you're playing casually, but you have it on like master mode, where like, your health is always permanently low or something. Like, you play pretty crazy. - You play it casually enough. - Yeah. - You become a master. And then also, last thing I'll say is. we're in the midst of 2020. Like, man, find whatever joy you can. - Yeah. - Yeah. - In this era, this sucked. This was like the worst time.

- Yeah. - And he, all this person is doing is just shutting down. everyone trying to have a good time. - Yeah, like the world's gonna open up again. and you're gonna be alone. Like, bro, hello? - And to be clear, it's okay to not wanna play a game or buy a game, just don't be an asshole about it. - Yeah. - Like, just be like, "It doesn't sound like the game for me, I'm not really too interested in buying it right now.". - It's also just like, not even about the game, they wanted to hang out with you. - Yeah. - Yeah, dude. The verdict was asshole, overwhelmingly. - Oh yeah. I can't wait to hear these comments. - Comments. "You're like the human counterpart of a paper cut.

You're the asshole.". Someone said, "You sound like a gatekeeping asshole, just let people enjoy things.". Op responded, "They can enjoy them, I just called them out. on their Instagram followers tactics.". Oh, Jesus. - Huh? Huh? - "You're not allowed to wear clothes. in your Instagram posts.". - "You are not allowed to enjoy N64 as an aesthetic.". "Animal Crossing" was the biggest game of that year, by far. - It was. And also, just, some people. explore and find their passions in weird ways,

whether it's finding a cool shirt and going, "Huh, what is this? I like this shirt. Okay, and now I'm actually,". and then they're better at that video game. than you will ever be. Like, you just don't know. Just, like, these-. You have friends in the pandemic! That is a beautiful thing, like, please. - Guys, I have to come clean, I own a Sublime shirt, and I only know like two of their songs. So. - "What I Got" and "Santeria?". - "Santeria," no, it's "Santeria,". and the one that Lana del Rey sampled. - Dude, I have, there are Smosh Pit videos.

where I'm wearing a Led Zeppelin shirt, and I could not have told you. what a Led Zeppelin song sounded like. Like, we be doing things. And now, I listen to a ton of Led Zeppelin, but I don't have that shirt anymore. What is life? - I also think, I think there's an argument, I think I'll make a weird argument for like, wearing aesthetic things, because when things become so a part of just culture. - Yeah. - That it's like, yeah, it influences, like, Led Zeppelin has influenced so much of just life. that it's like, yeah, you can rock that shirt. - Also, people are dying, okay?

(Trevor and Emily laughing). Let us wear a (beep) Nintendo shirt. - Yeah. Someone said, "You're the asshole, 'Stardew Valley' is so similar to 'Animal Crossing,'. like literally almost the same gameplay. Definitely both are casual games though. You just come off as a huge asshole. Who cares if your friend wants to say they're a gamer? Sounds like you're pushing an issue that doesn't matter.". OP responded saying "'Animal Crossing' and 'Stardew Valley'. have nothing similar in gameplay aside from the theme.". That's crazy to say when you've never played. "Animal Crossing.".

- Do we think, so wait, you've played both 'Animal Crossing' and 'Stardew Valley?'. - Yes. - I think they are very similar. as someone who's gotten really in the trenches on both, to me, there is huge differences. - [Trevor] Yeah. - But, they are similar in the like, the zone I'm in when I'm playing. - Yeah, they're a very similar vibe. Just kind of like, yeah, the way that you play them and kind of like, yeah, that makes a lot of sense, kind of that- - Yeah. - Yeah, like I never could get into "Animal Crossing,". but I was playing a ton of "Stardew Valley.".

I was just like, I don't know, I'm specific about like, whether it's an eight bit, or like, I like the graphics that I sit in and get into, so I could never get into it, but I loved watching you play it, and I was always so intrigued by like, oh, time is actually the same as real time. and real life on "Animal Crossing.". Like, stuff like that I thought was so interesting. - "Animal Crossing" to me, I thought it was perfect in 2020 when I was bored, because "Animal Crossing,". the way I played it at least was a lot of like, luck,

of like, "Well, I wanna have this type of design, but every day you get to log in and just kind of hope. that you get something of an aesthetic you're kind of,". that was an aesthetic game. - Yeah. - Whereas "Stardew Valley,". you can like keep grinding and move a little bit faster. - Yeah. - "Animal Crossing". makes you slow down sort of. - [Courtney] Yeah. - But the same thing of like, "Hey, you're just-". - It's whatever you want. - There's no, you can't lose. - Yeah. - So you're just kind of. playing and designing it out. - Can you die? - In "Animal Crossing?". No, you can faint, but then you wake right back up. - Yeah.

I installed the I Can Die mod actually. - [Shayne] Nice. - I installed in "Animal Crossing" the basement prison. child labor mod. - Nice. However, Concerned Ape has cited that. "Animal Crossing" was an inspiration for "Stardew Valley.". - I think Concerned Ape took inspiration. from so many great games. - Oh, clearly a lot. - So it's like-. - That guy's a gamer. - It's so funny, 'cause OP is like, "I play 'Stardew Valley,'. I don't wanna play 'Animal Crossing.'". It's like, "Stardew Valley,". I heard so many people be like, "Well, 'Stardew Valley'. is just a Frankenstein of every other game,". and whatever, and dismissing that. So, it's like, how dare you stand on that.

and then shit on other ones, you know? - Someone said, "You're the asshole for gatekeeping gaming, being an elitist, and talking so much shit about your friends. No one has to justify their interests. If someone plays games and says they're a gamer, they are. You don't get to override them. because you don't like their games.". OP said, "Nah, they're not. Saying you're a gamer implies you play at a higher level. than most people do." - What does that mean? No it doesn't! - "Same applies for gamers. A lot of people play casually, but that doesn't mean they're gamers, in the proper context.

Also, they're free to enjoy their shitty, casual title. I just told them I wouldn't buy it myself.". All right, so earlier they compare themselves to like, competitive drivers. I'm like, I know that this person's not. nearly as good as like eSports players. - Oh. - That is. on a level people cannot comprehend. - It doesn't even matter, is the craziest thing. - No, it's so funny too, 'cause like, I'm picturing this person in my head, and as someone who has played like, a lot of like online, like competitive game, like ranked games, I would say that I'm probably above average,

but I am nowhere near anywhere of me being like, "Yeah, I'm really good at this game.". Or, "I'm like, a real gamer.". It's like, this person's probably like gold. in "League of Legends" or something and thinks they're like, insane at games. - Right. - This is awesome. This is crazy. - Also, it's just, yeah, there's just, they are putting their own definition of what a gamer is, because a gamer means someone who plays video games. Like, sure, there's been a cultural like, weight to the word gamer. Like, "Oh, you stream on Twitch, even.

You are like a professional,". but like, there's so many people here that. are incredible at video games, have never done anything professionally with it. Or like, we had the pleasure of working. with that guy Daniel Stonewall, who was a champion. for "Smash Bros.". - Yeah. - He's the nicest guy, he would never say anything like that. about any other video game, like. - [Shayne] Right. - Superiority complexes are a funny thing. - It's just insecurity, clearly. - Yeah. - Actually, I did play in a "Valorant" tournament recently, and I sat a tier two pro, so I think I actually am. kind of like a good gamer. - Okay.

Okay, (indistinct). - I love this! - Yeah. - We have, and that's, and we have representation of all types of gamers here. - I have a clip, it's pretty nasty, if you guys wanna see it. (Trevor chuckling). - Yeah, I, you know, I think any type of game makes you a gamer. My grandpa played so much Solitaire. He had like a little Solitaire device, he was just always playing it. Ultimately gamer. - Gamer. - Yeah. - Yeah, and now here I am playing "Balatro" all the time, so. All right, let's move on.

- Yeah, let's move on from that. - Let's move on from that. This next story comes from The Confession subreddit, comes from a couple years ago. "I sent someone tit pics. because he did a cute Arthur Morgan impression.". - Okay. - "Self-explanatory, not my proudest moment, but it's been haunting me for like a week, LMAO." - Wait, I'm so sorry, can you read the title just one more time? - Yeah. - One. more time. - I'll read the title. and the entire story again. - Okay, great, great, great, ideal. - "I sent someone tit pics. because he did a cute Arthur Morgan impression.

Self-explanatory, not my proudest moment, but it's been haunting me for like a week. LMAO.". (Courtney chuckling). That's it. - Wait. - So, that's the story. So, someone did a cute Arthur Morgan impression, so, OP was like, "All right.". - Did you say a cute one or an acute one? - A cute Arthur Morgan impression. - Cute, Arthur Morgan, notoriously cute man. - Yes. - That would be. the first word I used to describe him.

"Come on, Dutch.". (crew member laughing). - Wow! - Comments. (crew member laughing). - Whoa! - Whoa! - What happened? (group laughing). - "Easy now.". (group laughing). "I saw someone with tuberculosis and I flashed them, okay?". - Oh my god, please. - The Arthur Morgan impressions is just-. (Trevor garbling). (Trevor grunting). - "I'm not doing so good.".

All right, comments. "RIP to your inbox with Arthur Morgan Impressions.". Someone said, "There's an interview with Roger Clark. where he says that he initially made the horse lines. a bit too sexy and intimate.". - I've seen that. - "And then proceeded. to demonstrate. I'm a straight guy, and it nevertheless did something to me.". - Ooh! - Someone said, "Bro, once I got sent a titty pic, 'cause I said I know how to cook.". (Courtney and Trevor laughing). (Shayne laughing). - Oh my god. - "Easy now.". - Oh my god. - Okay, "Spoilers for 'Red Dead Redemption 2,'.

but OP said, "If the TB didn't kill him enough, the titty flash definitely did.". - Oh my God, yeah. - Nice. - That'll do it. - All right. - Oh man. - That was a fun one. - That's good. - That's funny. - That's good. - Moving on. This comes from Am I the Asshole? This was posted in 2019. Am I the asshole for telling my kid. I would help him get a Switch. if he can beat "Ocarina of Time?". (Courtney gasping). - No, that's awesome. - That's pretty sick, dude.

That's a rite of passage. - Yeah. - All right. "My 10-year-old kid has been saving his money, birthday allowance, et cetera for months now. to get a Nintendo Switch so he can play. 'Breath of the Wild.'". - Awe. - Yeah, it's been two years since "Breath of the Wild". was released as of this story being posted. "Right now he has $200 saved up. At his current allowance, $10 a week, it will still take him months to be able to afford it. I know he really wants it, as all of his friends have one. and he hasn't been obnoxious about it, just diligently saving up his money.

Now, I have to say, he's a really good kid, kind, smart, does his chores without complaining, friendly to everyone. He's been making great grades in school, and was even made captain of his soccer team. Instead of making him do more chores to earn more money, I thought of a more fun solution to help him get his Switch. I told him, 'If you can beat 'Ocarina of Time'. without Googling for help,'. though, I would help him along the way if he got stuck, 'On my old N64, I'll pay for the rest of your Switch. and get you 'Breath of the Wild.'. Wife was initially opposed to the idea, but then thought it could be a fun father-son bonding thing.

Part of my reasoning too is I just want him to appreciate. how far video games have come, and 'Ocarina of Time' is a timeless classic. He jumped at the idea. After a weekend of playing, he's already at Zora's Domain as Young Link. He seems to be having fun with it. and hasn't gotten too frustrated yet. He's only played 'Minecraft' really, so the dated graphics don't bother him either. But anyway, I told a couple friends about it, and they think I'm a massive dick, that I'm trying to relive my childhood. vicariously through my son, and that I should just get him the Switch. because he's already such a good kid.

Now I'm having second thoughts and I'm feeling bad about it, but he does seem to be enjoying the challenge. So, am I the asshole?". Oh, living vicariously through your son, as if that's not a thing parents do? Like, that's- - Yeah, and this is the most. non-pain, like, this is like the most mild version of that. - Yeah, I think this is a healthy way of doing that. - Yeah. - Because it's like, "Hey, I wanna relive this and experience it with you.". Like, that is a bonding moment. - Yeah. - Yeah, this kid isn't. suffering, like. - Yeah. - "You're making your kid play 'Ocarina of Time?'. How dare you! - And give him an allowance.

of $10 a week, what? Like, hello? - Yeah, I think it sounds like. they're doing a great job of parenting this kid, and that sounds like, like timeless memories for this kid. - Yeah. - It's amazing! - Oh yeah. - I love this, and you're also offering. to expedite the process of getting them this Switch. Like, so you are acknowledging that this is a good kid, and you're just letting them play, like, this is awesome, and the fact that this is motivating the kid. to be down to play this, like, you're enriching their experience as a gamer. - Yeah, it's also- - Which they are one.

- It's also like, I feel like this is, you know, there's such a small window with how far things have come. There's such a small window to really experience. those things for the first time and appreciate them. Once you play "Breath of the Wild,". it will be hard to go back and play "Ocarina of Time,". and, like, enjoy it. - Yeah. - I struggle with that. Like, "Wind Waker,". when I played it as a kid, I was like, "This is the best game ever made.". - Yeah. - "Look at this world, it's so crazy,". and now that I've played "Breath of the Wild" and stuff, I'm like, "I can go back and play it. and I can appreciate it, but it's,

it's definitely me enjoying the nostalgia.". - Mm-hmm, yeah. - Whereas if I was young. and playing it for the first time, I'd be like-. - Yeah. - Why not play. the newer thing? - Yeah. How dare this dad be like, "Hey, son, you wanna spend time together. playing one of the greatest video games?". - Yeah. - So that I can then. just give you a bunch of money to buy a Switch? - Yeah. - (Beep) yeah. - Oh, you're playing catch with your son? Oh, just let him play "MLB: The Show.". (Courtney and Trevor laughing). Yeah, and there's tons of Easter eggs. in "Breath of the Wild" to "Ocarina of Time" that he'll get. Like, when they come to that first area in.

"Breath of the Wild," and you're like, "Oh, is this the Temple of Time?". Like, and you're getting the like, small like music cues. Like, you're gonna like, get those references. - Yes! - Yeah, no. - Dude, when I first started Smosh, I saw Ian was wearing a triforce shirt, but I was like, "That's a cool shirt, what is that?". And he was like, "You don't know what this is?". (Trevor and Shayne laughing) And I was like, I was like, "No," and he was like. (Courtney scoffing). And was disgusted by me, and I was like, "Oh no,". and it's like my first few months at the job, so I literally, I had missed a flight.

and had like five hours to kill, so I spent five hours watching YouTube videos. on all of the lore of Legend of Zelda. - Oh my God. - And I was like, "Holy shit, Zelda is amazing.". And then- - You know what's really. funny is Nintendo doesn't even. know the lore of it. - I know. - They're making that shit up as they go. - And it did make me wish I was able to, it did make me wish I was able to play those games. Like, I was, "Oh, I never had access to those games. Oh, well," because like, you know? - It's fine. I didn't beat "Ocarina of Time" until I was an adult. Like, I played it as a kid, and I would watch,

I watched my brother beat the game, right? Which is the case for most video games. Like, I just watched my brothers play 'em and beat 'em, but I finally at a certain point was like, "I gotta beat that game so I can say I beat it.". - Nice. - No, I mean, "Ocarina of Time" as a 10-year-old is, that's a healthy challenge. - Yeah. - That's a healthy challenge. for him to complete. - Yeah. - It's hard as hell. - Yeah. - There's something, I mean, look, the son, where the dad might be an asshole. is once they get to the water temple. That's where. things are gonna get bad. The verdict was not the asshole.

Comments, "Not the asshole if your son is up for it. and seems excited, it doesn't matter what other people think. I think it's a cute idea.". OPs comment in response to a now edited comment, OP said, "I mean, to them," OPs friends, "It sounds like I'm forcing him to play an old video game. before he can play a new one, and that I'm robbing him. of making his own memories with video games. When I thought about what they said, I think it would've pissed me off if my parents. had made me play like 'Pong' or 'Pacman' for hours. before getting an N64 when I was his age, so I kind of get their side of it.".

I just, kind of fully disagree with that. - It's, yeah. - I don't know. I think it's really fun to like, play those old games. - Yeah, I mean, "Pacman" and those games. are more of a repetitive thing, not so much a story, so I would- - Sure. - I would probably feel a bit tortured. by that if I'm being honest, but I still think it's a really, like, a Switch is a big deal. That's a big, like, that is, that is not just one little game system. Like, that has, that gives, that opens up such a big window to games. and other mediums on that device. Like, my oldest sister, she had been telling.

her sons no to a Switch, 'cause she thought it was just something. you attached to your iPhone. She thought it was controls you attached your iPhone, she was like, "No, that sounds stupid.". I was like, "No, this is amazing. It connects to your TV so you can enjoy it as a family, or watch stuff, and then also take it on the go.". Like, it's a big purchase. And so, this is like, the littlest challenge to-. - And like you said, it's gonna make the gameplay. of "Breath of the Wild" so much more fun, because "Breath of the Wild" is a huge game, and for that to be your first introduction into like,

any like Legend of Zelda game, like, there is a lot of stuff, and so being able to just have little reference points. for like, "Oh, I recognize, like, those characters, I recognize like those areas,". like it is gonna make it like more fun. so that he's not just thrown into this thing kind of like, just thrown into the deep end. - He'll have a deeper knowledge of the story. than his friends once he goes into it, like. - On the references to things, yeah. - If you had to play, if you said someone needed to play one other Zelda game. before "Breath of the Wild," which one would you say? - Ooh, that's good.

I would maybe say, I'd maybe say "Wind Waker,". because the references in "Breath of the Wild". to "Wind Waker" are like, probably the most prominent. You have Beedle the Salesman, you've got the, why am I blanking on the names? The little leafy guys, the-. - Koroks? - You have the Koroks, you have the. Dragon Roost Island theme comes back, and that whole thing. I would say that, but ultimately, any of 'em is fine, 'cause in the Nintendo lore-. - There's like three timelines, right?

- Well, yeah, but "Breath of the Wild". takes place so far after the timeline split. that it's all back together, and they refer to all the previous Zelda games as like, "The age of myth.". Like, these are tales that were told, but now it's been tens of thousands of years since then. that they've, it was their way of like being like, "Okay, we're gonna move past this timeline split thing. and just start fresh.". It ultimately doesn't matter. Like, to me, every Zelda game it's just like, "Yeah.". It's like Mario.

- Yeah. - It's like, "And we're back in Hyrule, and things are a little different, but it's ultimately the same.". - "Where is Ganon?". (group laughing). - [Courtney] (indistinct) Ganon. - One last comment here, someone says, "Not the asshole, except for one part, the water temple. That bit makes you the asshole, but I like it. It's a good take, and different spin on doing chores. or something around the house for a reward. Seems like a good kid you have there, so I don't think this is an issue. You said he's enjoying it and having fun, so I wouldn't say you are living vicariously through him.

So, again, not the asshole, except for the water temple. You're the asshole for when he plays that level.". I just think there's just absolutely nothing wrong. with like, as a parent being like, "Hey, I love this thing, and we're gonna do this thing together, experience this thing together.". Like, to me, like, I'm not a parent, but like, any parent who goes like, "I want to experience this thing with my child.". - Yeah. - I'm like, "You can't really be an asshole,". because like- - Yeah. - You're spending time with your kid. doing something together, that's ultimately the best thing you can do.

as a parent. - And you're teaching. your kid also like this wonderful thing of just like, "If you work hard, you get great things in your life.". - I do think he'll, like his son will learn a lot. about gaming like in a healthy, good way, and like, especially not Googling. - Right. - Something like, I was talking to Damien about this recently, about how I'm like, a lot of video games are a little bit ruined for me. because I'll play them, and like, I'll play puzzles, and I have a really hard time. not just getting frustrated and just Googling stuff. - Yeah. - And I'm like,

"Oh, and now it's not fun.". But when I was a kid, I didn't have access to that, so you'd come across stuff and you'd just be like, "I don't know.". And like, hearing about my brothers playing. "Link to the Past," they were like, yeah, so this is back in like the early nineties, and they'd be playing, and you'd reach a part where you just are like, "I don't know where to go,". and it would just be months. And they would just spend months just being like, "Yeah, we're stuck here,". and then eventually one of your friends would be like, "Hey, I figured out how to get the ice rod. You crash into this cave," and you're like, "Sweet, now we all know, and now we can all like do this together,".

and that's just how it used to be. - Yeah. - But now it's just like, "We know things immediately.". Yeah, there used to be a hotline in the eighties. where like, there's this guy working. at like a Nintendo office, and he's like, "Yeah, okay.". And then like this guy calling, and he's like, "Yeah, I'm not able to get the master sword. I have all the hearts for it,". and so he is like, "Okay, have you checked this thing? You make sure you have 13 hearts?". He's like, "Yeah, I don't, you know what, I miscounted, I have 12 hearts, I'm so sorry," and he's like, "Yeah, no problem, I'll talk to you later.". - That's so good. - And like hangs up, it's so funny. - That's awesome.

- We don't have an update that we could find. in OP's post history, but we can hope his son. beat "Ocarina of Time". and has been enjoying his Nintendo Switch, and hey, maybe even has a Switch 2 now.". But maybe he had to play "Wind Waker". to get the Switch 2. - Love It. - Or "Majora's Mask,". I don't know. - Tradition! - No, I mean, literally I think the reason. that I love video games so much, I don't think, I know, is because like, my dad and my parents, like, we were always doing stuff together. It's like, my dad was a gamer and he's like, "Hey, you wanna play 'Halo' together?". - Yes, me too! - And I'm like, "Yeah.". - That's awesome. - Like, I wanna play "Halo.". He's like, "Hey, I'm gonna make you a 'RuneScape' account.".

Like, the reason- - What? - That's the coolest parents. ever. - That's crazy. - Like, the reason that I love video games so much, and all of my fondest like, video game memories from my childhood are like, playing games with my dad. - Yeah. - And with my parents. Like, it was just such. a fun thing to do. - Absolutely. For me it was watching my brother play, watching my brother play "Final Fantasy VII" was like, huge. - Yeah. - I was like, "This is crazy.". - Yeah. - Love it. - It was awesome. All right, our next story. comes from Am I The Asshole and Am I The Devil?

- Oh god. - This was posted in 2023. We have a video game devil. - [Trevor] Oh my God. - Oh my God. - Oh no. Don't read ahead, that's not fair. - I hate when you do that. - "Am I the for demanding my girlfriend divorces her husband. on 'Stardew Valley?'". (Trevor blowing raspberry) (Emily laughing). - I thought it was gonna be a literal, like, "Am I an asshole for demanding. that my girlfriend divorce her husband?". - I know. - It has nothing to do with video games.

- Yeah. - Nothing. - It just ends and he's like, "All right, I'm gonna play some 'Fortnite' now.". "So, I, a 26-year-old man, have been with my girlfriend, who's 19-". - Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. - Wait. - Wait, what was the age gap? Say it again. - The age gap's not even the problem. So, "I, a 26-year-old man, have been with my girlfriend, who's 19, for a bit over 2 years now.". - Oh! - So, some quick maths here. - So, a little bit of math here-. - 24. - 19 minus 2.

- 17. I think that's a little problematic. - Bro wrote that out. (Shayne and Trevor laughing). - Oh my god! - He put it on the internet. - He put it on the internet. - [Trevor] Oh my God. - "I was actually planning on proposing soon, but this issue has me rethinking our entire relationship. She has been playing 'Stardew Valley'. for about six months now, and actually only showed me recently. When I saw what she was doing on the game, I was taken aback to say the least. I thought that the game was a farming RPG or something, but little did I know she had been fostering.

an inappropriate relationship in the game.". (Trevor chuckling). "When I asked her why there was another player in her house, she explained that she had a roommate in the game. Now this is the part where I might be the asshole. I'm not a gamer myself, but I knew something was wrong with this. I waited until she fell asleep and logged into her game. I talked to the man in her house, and to my horror, they were married. I waited until the morning to confront her about this, and when she told me it's just a game. and that she has to go to work, I lost it. and asked her how she thinks that this is appropriate,

and how she could even imagine a life. with another man that isn't me. She told me that I'm being ridiculous and that I'm crazy, but my friends are on my side. So, am I the asshole?". - God. - Oh. my god. - Oh god, well, I think, I think really before we decide, we have to know who she married. - All right. - Yeah, truly. - He feels threatened, which means it's probably either, it can't be Shane. - No. - No. - No, it must be, you know, it's could be- - It's either Elliot. or Alex. - Harvey. Harvey is very passionate. - Ooh, Harvey.

She married a doctor! - A passionate lover- - Is the roommate. (group laughing). - Harvey is devoted. - Yeah. - Elliot's sweet and caring, but Harvey's dialogue, I don't know if you guys have seen those, it's... Heart. - This is the funniest. thing ever, man, in "Stardew Valley". of all games. - I know, the least. - An 8-bit game. - I know, where like, nothing even happens. - Oh my God, it's not even like she's playing "Baldur's Gate,". and like, making sweet, sweet love to a sexy man. - Yeah, like. - Yeah. - It's like, come on. - I'd be like, "Dude,

you marry the character that gives you the best gifts. when you talk to them.". (Trevor laughing) - Ew. It's really a lookbook, and like, "How dare you imagine life with any man outside of me?". And like, "Oh, you barely let this person. exist as an adult woman," like, hello? And you're trying to lock that shit down? You're clearly not, you're not secure enough in yourself. to do that, buddy. - I wish his friends were like, "No, you're not the asshole for this, you are the asshole because you're a pedophile.". (group laughing). Unfortunately-. - My friend's okay with the pedophilia,

not okay with the "Stardew Valley" marriage. - Yeah, you were dating a minor, so. - [Courtney] Yeah. - All right. Verdict, asshole. - Yep. - Comments, "You're the asshole, I am so tired.". (Trevor and Courtney laughing). Someone said, "Fostering inappropriate relationships, but you started dating her when she was 17?". "OP is getting ready to fight Clint, or some crap.". Oh my God. - [Trevor] Dude. - This is ridiculous. I feel like we need Damien here to be like,

"Yes, this story's not real.". - Yeah. - Like, this is hopefully rage bait. - Yeah. - But, I also know, as always, these people do exist, so. - If you marry, some of the people you marry in that game give you stuff, or take care of your livestock for you. - Yeah, man. Hey, man, you can't run a farm on your own! - No. - Yeah. No, the only judgment that would ever come from me is, yeah, based on who you marry. Then it's like, "Okay, well, come on." - Yeah. - Well, who is it? - Yeah. - Yeah, who is it? - Penny gives me scrambled eggs. I love Penny, and there's a steamy bath scene.

- Whoa! - Whoa. - Okay, now, slow down. (group laughing). - Oh, hold on! (group chuckling). - [Emily] Yeah, no! - Yeah, did I marry Lydia in Skyrim. because she's the first companion you get, and? (Courtney and Shayne laughing). And the carry weight is awesome? Yeah. - The carry weight is awesome. - Hold my five. steel plate bodies, please. - Am I extremely desperate in every video game I play? Yes. Oh my God, all right. "Do I have three girlfriends in 'Stardew Valley?'. Yes, but I carry a rabbit's foot on me, so it's fine.".

No, I only have one girlfriend in the game. And it's Leah. - Who? - Leah. And she makes beautiful carvings. (Emily and Courtney laughing). - I'm feeling a little uncomfortable right now. (group laughing). All right, our final story. This is a Today I (beep) Up, and it was posted in 2020. "Today I (beep) up by making my dad punch a stripper. in 'GTA' and tearfully ask God forgiveness. in front of my entire family.". (Trevor laughing).

- [Courtney] Oh my God. - This reminds me of when you had Amanda punch. - Yeah, cut in the clip of me. when Amanda asked how to talk to a woman. in "Grand Theft Auto." - You make her punch a woman. (Trevor laughing). - Go to her in the fedora. - How do I talk? - Press B. (kick thudding). - No! No! No! That's not what you said. I wanted to talk to her! Hey! - It's kinda like Amanda in real life though. - Yeah. (Courtney sighing). - "When I was young, my brothers and I snuck a copy.

of 'San Andreas' into the house. We spent days holed up in our basement. taking turns playing, and down there, my parents didn't bother us too much. In order to get tons of money for guns, we had yet to figure out my parents' dial up password, so cheats weren't a thing for us yet, we would go to the strip club and stand on the stage. absorbing the money dudes threw at the women. and just let the game sit for 10 to 20 minutes.". - Genius. - I didn't know you could do that. - That's awesome. - That's so smart. - I'm gonna do that in real life. (Trevor and Courtney laughing). "He's blocking the money!

He's getting it!". (Shayne imitating game character). - [Courtney] So smart. (Trevor and Shayne laughing). Wow. - "We had to be careful though, because sometimes the strippers would do a move. and bump into CJ, and the bouncers would shoot the place up. One day while I was playing, my mom yelled down to the basement at us to get ready, we're going to Pizza Hut. In a stroke of genius, I drove to the GTA strip club, got on the stage, and then turned the TV off and we left. It was to be the best heist of the century. My dad, however, was at church at this time, practicing for a gospel concert that he was singing in.

He always filmed the practices. so he could take notes at home upon playback, and this time was no different. While my mom and brothers and I were still at the Hut, he arrived at home and plugged his camcorder into the VCR. We had just one VCR, and it was connected to the basement TV. Back at the hut, my mom gets a phone call. She puts her napkin down. and slowly looks around the table at us and says. "okay" a few times into the phone. in this really calculating specific way. that she always did when she knew us kids were in trouble.

before we did. Naturally, it was at this point. that we kids knew we were in trouble. For what though, we didn't know. After a very quiet minivan ride, we get home and my mom says, 'Boys, why don't we go down to the basement? Your dad wants to show you his gospel practice downstairs.'. It was then at this point we knew why we were in trouble, so we drag our feet down the stairs, and lo and behold, my dad is sitting on the couch, TV on. A stripper's polygonal titties swung stiffly back and forth. on screen to En Vogues 'My Lovin''.

with CJ standing mere inches away collecting money.". (Trevor laughing). "My dad starts in, 'Boys, I don't even know where to begin. This PlayStation was a blessing to you for Christmas, and this is how you repay us, by breaking our trust?'. He is holding the controller up now, gesticulating with it. 'Here I am practicing to bring glory to God, and-'. but he was cut off as he inadvertently. squeezed the controller, causing CJ to punch the stripper. My entire family stands in silence, watching together as the bouncers in the strip club. shoot the place up for what seems like an eternity.

After the shooting stops. and CJ appears in front of the hospital, I look back and see my mom silently weeping into her hand.". - No! - "I look at my dad. as a single tear rolls down his cheek, and he prays under his breath. After another eternity of silence, without a word, my dad bends down, disconnects the PlayStation, walks back to the family computer, disconnects it, goes to his car and drives away. For the next four months, he kept the PS2 and PC. locked in his office at work. It's one of my favorite memories of growing up.

I miss my brothers.". - Awe. - That's so funny. Also, I was just thinking, the way the title is read is like, where he's like, "I made my dad punch a stripper,". I love, I was like wanting so badly. for him to come home and be like, "Look what I have to do now,". and he like goes and just intentionally does it-. - Oh my god! - Instead of by accident. (Shayne laughing). - I just love the single tears just like, "I have offended God.". - Oh my goodness. - Oh my God. - That's unfortunately. just so funny. - That's hilarious.

- "I miss my brothers.". (Emily laughing). - Comments, "All I got from this. was you can collect money at the strip club. Never knew that hack. Then again, I had the unlimited money cheat, so, no need.". Someone said, "Are you Rod or Todd? Because your dad is Ned Flanders.". - Yes. - All right. - 3000 up votes, someone said, "So what made him give the PS2 back after four months? If I was caught in the GTA strip club, my parents would've taken my PlayStation forever.". OP said, "His coworker probably asked. why he has a PS2 in his office, and decided he never wanted another person.

to ask him that again, that's what I choose to believe. I got home from school one day. and it was just plugged back in.". (Trevor chuckling). - Oh my gosh. - Oh- - Update! - What? - What? - Yeah, we have an update. on this. - What? Okay. - I don't know what the update is. "Thanks so much for the response. I'm glad I could spread some laughs with this story. I just wanna clarify that my parents weren't crazy at all, so no need to insult them. I love them so much, they just got overzealous and dramatic from time to time. I had a really great childhood with two loving. and involved parents who tried really, really hard.

to live and raise our family by their convictions, it just doesn't always work out for everyone involved, like in this case, but it made for a great story. that we can all laugh about now. I'm very much an atheist and my parents know it, but we still get along great. Also, my brothers aren't dead, we're all just spread out across the country now. I don't get to see them very much anymore, that's all.". I was a little like, "Wait, he wrote, 'I miss my brothers,'. I was like, 'What?'". (Trevor and Courtney laughing). It's a "Saving Private Ryan" moment at the end, like, whoa! - No, I relate to it. - Second update! - Whoa! - "I got my dad 'GTA' and he loves it!".

- Turns out, he- - My dad's a stripper now! (Trevor laughing). All right, this is a summarized update. OP posted a second update that basically, going off on the people who called out his parents. in the comments and drops this wilds insult. "However, if you do still feel inclined. to let the pea that rolls around your empty head. whose sound you mistake for a competent thought. inform you of some truly transcendent comment. in which you consider calling my parents. whack jobs and nuts, it says way more about you. and your small-mindedness in acting like you know better.

just because you have an internet connection. and a lifetime full of trauma on your own.". - Wow. - I will also say to OP like, "Hey, man, don't post on the internet if you can't handle-". - Well. - I know, but like-. - I know, but like-. - [Shayne] But like-. - But like-. - If you're gonna comment and say, "Hey, my parents are super religious,". you're gonna get people. hating on you. - I know, but not his, like, that shouldn't be his fault. I know it feels like he's defending his parents. I think sometimes in this current era.

of rage bait is everywhere, I think people think that's what the internet is. and that everything is rage bait, and they take that bait. every time. - Sure. - It's like, "Hey, this was supposed to be. just a funny memory to laugh about it,". but people don't always come to the internet for that. - Right. - They go to the internet. to be mad, and. - Right. - Yeah, so, I think he doesn't need to waste his energy. replying to those people. - That's what I'm saying. - But the post, I'm like, thank you for that. - Yeah, it also felt pretty clear in the post. that he like, it wasn't like a thing of like, "Oh, my parents," it was like, "This really funny.

thing happened." - Yeah. - Right. - "As a kid," like. - Absolutely. I'm just saying like, the internet does this every time. - [Courtney] Totally, totally. - It's always gonna be shitty in response, so maybe he doesn't post that often, so. Well... That's all our stories. - Wow. - Yeah. - I feel like a better gamer now. - Yeah, I think I know a lot more about gaming. - Yeah. - I'm better at video games now. - I mean, I think I am, 'cause now I know that strip club thing. for "Grand Theft Auto," that's pretty sick, if it still works. - When we start playing.

'San Andreas' on Smosh Games. - But also, I think about my brothers too, 'cause we played a lot of video games together, and that last story was really sweet. - Yeah. - Mm-hmm. - I miss my brothers. - Dude, my brother's, he's cool. He's all right. (Shayne laughing). I talk to him regularly enough, I don't have to say I miss him. We play- - Whoa. - No, it's like, he's, I love the guy. - What does he play? - Well, most, he plays a lot of stuff, but the thing that we mostly play now is "RuneScape.".

If we're playing the same game, it's usually "RuneScape." - That's awesome. - My brother's probably playing "Hades II" right now. - Dude. - So, good for him. - That sucks bad for you. - Good for him. - Yeah. - Good for him. - Yeah, actually we have 30 more stories, and we're gonna be here for the next 24 hours. - You're not far off. (Trevor laughing). (Shayne laughing). All right, well, thank you both for being here. - Thank you. - And, thank you for listening and watching, and let us know what other categories and types of stories.

you wanna see on this show, and we'll see you next Saturday. Goodbye. - Later, gamers. - Later.