Smosh Reads Reddit Stories

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

Release Date: November 22, 2025
Host: Shane Topp
Guests: Courtney, Trevor
Theme: Video Games

Episode Overview

This episode of “Smosh Reads Reddit Stories” centers around the chaos, comedy, and camaraderie inspired by video games. Host Shane Topp, with guests Courtney and Trevor, dive into a curated lineup of Reddit’s wildest gaming-related stories and “Am I the Asshole?” posts. With a blend of personal anecdotes and sharp-witted commentary, the trio explores topics like parental woes over The Sims, console-buying horror shows, gamer gatekeeping, and more—all with that signature Smosh irreverence.

“Video games: source of a lot of drama, apparently, as we're gonna find out.” – Shane [01:29]

Major Discussion Points

1. Video Games in the Family (The Sims as the “Violent” Game?)

[02:22 – 11:44]

Reddit Post Summary:
A father asks Reddit if he’s in the wrong for letting his 12-year-old daughter keep playing The Sims, despite his wife’s concerns over its “violence” (the daughter gets creative with dungeon-exes and simulated child labor).
Key Reactions:
- Courtney finds parental double standards, noting that the parents seem less worried about their sons playing Fortnite and fighting games:
  “They’re hyper fixating on what she's playing… It’s giving a little bit of like oh well, boys will be boys.” – Shane [04:38]
- The group explores the creativity (and darkness) of sandbox games, sharing memories of launching Sims into space in Rollercoaster Tycoon: “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 a lap.” – Courtney [07:32]
- Consensus: It’s not the game—it’s a chance to teach empathy and show interest in your kid’s weird sense of humor.
- Notable Quote:
  “The Sims is just modern Barbies. Kids are going to explore the violent and strange bits… It’s how children learn empathy.” – Reddit Comment, recited by Shane [10:13]

Best Moment:

Shane’s perspective on safety:
“I would not be as concerned with the video games someone's playing as, frankly, what YouTubers they're watching, what advice they're getting from online communities.” [08:35]

2. Horror Story: Used PS2 Infested with Cockroaches

[12:22 – 22:22]

Reddit Post Summary:
A user buys a used PS2 from Letgo and, upon trying to fix its disc-read error, discovers it's full of cockroaches.
Key Reactions:
- Genuine disgust, humor, and horror from all three, as the post details the user's panic upon realizing “some of the rust is moving”: “Oh, son of a bitch. Those are fuck mothering cockroaches.” – Reddit Post Read by Shane [17:12]
- Comparison to the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” snake scene.
- The group discusses the risk of buying consoles secondhand—and that PS4s are notoriously prone to similar infestation.
- Notable Quote:
  “Bugs hate Xbox.” – Shane [21:05]

Best Moment:

Trevor’s dry observation:
“Their little feet were like plugging into the motherboard. Hello. Playing video games.” [20:10]

3. Gatekeeping Gamers: Animal Crossing vs. “Real” Games

[22:36 – 39:30]

Reddit Post Summary:
Poster asks if they’re the asshole for calling their friends “fake gamers” after refusing to buy Animal Crossing and mocking their “casual” tastes.
Key Reactions:
- Immediate roasting of the OP’s elitist attitude. “You're a professional asshole. You're a casual asshole.” – Courtney [26:13]
- Group debunks the hardcore/casual divide, noting any game can be played at any level of intensity. “Gaming is literally what you make it… Calling them casual, they're like, I don't feel casual about it. I feel very passionate about my island on Animal Crossing.” – Courtney [26:15]
- Emphasis on inclusivity and enjoying games however you want—a throughline for the episode.
- Notable Quote:
  “Any type of game makes you a gamer. My grandpa played so much solitaire… Ultra gamer.” – Shane [39:12]

Best Moment:

Courtney’s Drag Race comparison:
“You cannot judge or determine whether someone else's drag is drag or not. That is their passion. They're passionate about it.” [26:15]

4. Red Dead Redemption 2: ‘I Sent Tit Pics for an Arthur Morgan Impression’

[39:32 – 41:41]

Reddit Confession:
A Redditor confesses to sending nudes to someone who did a “cute Arthur Morgan impression.”
Group’s reaction is playful disbelief, riffing on the idea of video game voices and Tumblr-esque thirst posts.
Notable Quote:
“If the TB didn’t kill him enough, the titty flash definitely did.” – Reddit Comment Read by Shane [41:38]

5. Parenting Challenge: ‘Beat Ocarina of Time and I’ll Buy You a Switch’

[41:43 – 53:15]

Reddit Post Summary:
A dad promises to pay for the rest of his son's Nintendo Switch if the 10-year-old can beat Ocarina of Time solo.
Key Reactions:
- The cast agrees it’s a wholesome challenge, not vicarious living. “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.” – Shane [51:02]
- The group shares memories of childhood games and passing down gaming culture.
- The comedic highlight is bemoaning the infamous Water Temple:
  “Not the asshole, except for one part: the Water Temple. That bit makes you the asshole.” – Reddit Comment [50:13]

6. Red Flag! Demanding a Stardew Valley Divorce

[53:33 – 58:34]

Reddit AITA:
A 26-year-old man admits to demanding his 19-year-old girlfriend divorce her in-game Stardew Valley husband.
Key Reactions:
- Immediate horror at the real-life age gap and possessiveness.
  “You are the asshole because you're a pedophile. Unfortunately, my friend's okay with the pedophilia. Not okay with the Stardew Valley marriage.” – Shane [57:01]
- Group makes jokes about who in Stardew is the “best” husband, poking fun at the ridiculousness of policing simulated relationships.

7. Classic Family Drama: Dad Accidentally Punches Stripper in GTA

[59:00 – 66:01]

Reddit Post Summary:
After sneaking play sessions of San Andreas, the Redditor describes the chain reaction when their dad accidentally punches a stripper while confronting his sons, resulting in a tearful plea to God and a months-long console ban.
Key Reactions:
- The hosts lose it at the melodramatic retelling, especially the “single tear” detail. “My dad bends down, disconnects the PlayStation, walks back to the family computers, 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.” – Shane quoting Reddit [61:37]
- Poignant closing discussion: The episode ends with reflections on brothers, family, and the emotional weight of shared gaming experiences.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

On gaming and empathy:
"It’s how children learn empathy and explore and learn the realities of humanity… The Sims and Barbie are healthy outlets for kids." – Reddit comment, read by Shane [10:13]
On gamer gatekeeping:
"You're a professional asshole. You're a casual asshole." – Courtney [26:13]
On gatekeeping and passion:
"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." – Courtney [26:15]
On the cockroach PS2:
"Oh, son of a bitch. Those are fuck mothering cockroaches." – Reddit post, read by Shane [17:12]
On Stardew Valley relationship drama:
"He feels threatened, which means… probably either… Elliot or Ellie…" – Shane [55:47]
On the GTA disaster:
"My dad bends down, disconnects the PlayStation, walks back to the family computers, disconnects it, goes to his car and drives away." – Shane reading Reddit post [61:37]

Funniest/Memorable Moments

Shane reading the cockroach PS2 story with mounting horror [17:12-18:30].
The “Sims is modern Barbies” child psychology discussion [10:00-11:23].
Group dunking on the Animal Crossing gatekeeper and riffing on casual vs. hardcore games [24:15-27:52].
Stardew Valley divorce ridiculousness and age gap roasting [53:33-58:34].
The emotional retelling of the GTA dad confrontation, culminating in the “single tear” and months-long PlayStation ban [61:01-61:53].

Timestamps for Major Segments

Sims “violence” and parental double standards: 02:22 – 11:44
PS2 cockroach horror story: 12:22 – 22:22
Animal Crossing gatekeeping: 22:36 – 39:30
Arthur Morgan impression and “tit pics” confession: 39:32 – 41:41
The Ocarina of Time Switch challenge: 41:43 – 53:15
Stardew Valley in-game marriage drama: 53:33 – 58:34
GTA dad/stripper/family fallout: 59:00 – 66:01
Wrap-up and outro: 66:17 – End

Final Thoughts

This episode blends the best of Reddit’s gaming drama with Smosh’s signature warmth and wild improv. Besides the laughs, there are genuine insights on parenting, nostalgia, and why gatekeeping only ruins the joy of gaming. Whether it’s grisly tales of console infestations, the chaos of couch co-op, or the legacy of family gaming, “Cheat Codes Won’t Help You Here” is a hilarious ode to the strange, silly power of video games to connect us all.

Later, gamers!

Smosh Reads Reddit Stories

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

Release Date: November 22, 2025
Host: Shane Topp
Guests: Courtney, Trevor
Theme: Video Games

Episode Overview

“Video games: source of a lot of drama, apparently, as we're gonna find out.” – Shane [01:29]

Major Discussion Points

1. Video Games in the Family (The Sims as the “Violent” Game?)

[02:22 – 11:44]

Reddit Post Summary:
A father asks Reddit if he’s in the wrong for letting his 12-year-old daughter keep playing The Sims, despite his wife’s concerns over its “violence” (the daughter gets creative with dungeon-exes and simulated child labor).
Key Reactions:
- Courtney finds parental double standards, noting that the parents seem less worried about their sons playing Fortnite and fighting games:
  “They’re hyper fixating on what she's playing… It’s giving a little bit of like oh well, boys will be boys.” – Shane [04:38]
- The group explores the creativity (and darkness) of sandbox games, sharing memories of launching Sims into space in Rollercoaster Tycoon: “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 a lap.” – Courtney [07:32]
- Consensus: It’s not the game—it’s a chance to teach empathy and show interest in your kid’s weird sense of humor.
- Notable Quote:
  “The Sims is just modern Barbies. Kids are going to explore the violent and strange bits… It’s how children learn empathy.” – Reddit Comment, recited by Shane [10:13]

Best Moment:

Shane’s perspective on safety:
“I would not be as concerned with the video games someone's playing as, frankly, what YouTubers they're watching, what advice they're getting from online communities.” [08:35]

2. Horror Story: Used PS2 Infested with Cockroaches

[12:22 – 22:22]

Reddit Post Summary:
A user buys a used PS2 from Letgo and, upon trying to fix its disc-read error, discovers it's full of cockroaches.
Key Reactions:
- Genuine disgust, humor, and horror from all three, as the post details the user's panic upon realizing “some of the rust is moving”: “Oh, son of a bitch. Those are fuck mothering cockroaches.” – Reddit Post Read by Shane [17:12]
- Comparison to the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” snake scene.
- The group discusses the risk of buying consoles secondhand—and that PS4s are notoriously prone to similar infestation.
- Notable Quote:
  “Bugs hate Xbox.” – Shane [21:05]

Best Moment:

Trevor’s dry observation:
“Their little feet were like plugging into the motherboard. Hello. Playing video games.” [20:10]

3. Gatekeeping Gamers: Animal Crossing vs. “Real” Games

[22:36 – 39:30]

Reddit Post Summary:
Poster asks if they’re the asshole for calling their friends “fake gamers” after refusing to buy Animal Crossing and mocking their “casual” tastes.
Key Reactions:
- Immediate roasting of the OP’s elitist attitude. “You're a professional asshole. You're a casual asshole.” – Courtney [26:13]
- Group debunks the hardcore/casual divide, noting any game can be played at any level of intensity. “Gaming is literally what you make it… Calling them casual, they're like, I don't feel casual about it. I feel very passionate about my island on Animal Crossing.” – Courtney [26:15]
- Emphasis on inclusivity and enjoying games however you want—a throughline for the episode.
- Notable Quote:
  “Any type of game makes you a gamer. My grandpa played so much solitaire… Ultra gamer.” – Shane [39:12]

Best Moment:

Courtney’s Drag Race comparison:
“You cannot judge or determine whether someone else's drag is drag or not. That is their passion. They're passionate about it.” [26:15]

4. Red Dead Redemption 2: ‘I Sent Tit Pics for an Arthur Morgan Impression’

[39:32 – 41:41]

Reddit Confession:
A Redditor confesses to sending nudes to someone who did a “cute Arthur Morgan impression.”
Group’s reaction is playful disbelief, riffing on the idea of video game voices and Tumblr-esque thirst posts.
Notable Quote:
“If the TB didn’t kill him enough, the titty flash definitely did.” – Reddit Comment Read by Shane [41:38]

5. Parenting Challenge: ‘Beat Ocarina of Time and I’ll Buy You a Switch’

[41:43 – 53:15]

Reddit Post Summary:
A dad promises to pay for the rest of his son's Nintendo Switch if the 10-year-old can beat Ocarina of Time solo.
Key Reactions:
- The cast agrees it’s a wholesome challenge, not vicarious living. “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.” – Shane [51:02]
- The group shares memories of childhood games and passing down gaming culture.
- The comedic highlight is bemoaning the infamous Water Temple:
  “Not the asshole, except for one part: the Water Temple. That bit makes you the asshole.” – Reddit Comment [50:13]

6. Red Flag! Demanding a Stardew Valley Divorce

[53:33 – 58:34]

Reddit AITA:
A 26-year-old man admits to demanding his 19-year-old girlfriend divorce her in-game Stardew Valley husband.
Key Reactions:
- Immediate horror at the real-life age gap and possessiveness.
  “You are the asshole because you're a pedophile. Unfortunately, my friend's okay with the pedophilia. Not okay with the Stardew Valley marriage.” – Shane [57:01]
- Group makes jokes about who in Stardew is the “best” husband, poking fun at the ridiculousness of policing simulated relationships.

7. Classic Family Drama: Dad Accidentally Punches Stripper in GTA

[59:00 – 66:01]

Reddit Post Summary:
After sneaking play sessions of San Andreas, the Redditor describes the chain reaction when their dad accidentally punches a stripper while confronting his sons, resulting in a tearful plea to God and a months-long console ban.
Key Reactions:
- The hosts lose it at the melodramatic retelling, especially the “single tear” detail. “My dad bends down, disconnects the PlayStation, walks back to the family computers, 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.” – Shane quoting Reddit [61:37]
- Poignant closing discussion: The episode ends with reflections on brothers, family, and the emotional weight of shared gaming experiences.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

On gaming and empathy:
"It’s how children learn empathy and explore and learn the realities of humanity… The Sims and Barbie are healthy outlets for kids." – Reddit comment, read by Shane [10:13]
On gamer gatekeeping:
"You're a professional asshole. You're a casual asshole." – Courtney [26:13]
On gatekeeping and passion:
"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." – Courtney [26:15]
On the cockroach PS2:
"Oh, son of a bitch. Those are fuck mothering cockroaches." – Reddit post, read by Shane [17:12]
On Stardew Valley relationship drama:
"He feels threatened, which means… probably either… Elliot or Ellie…" – Shane [55:47]
On the GTA disaster:
"My dad bends down, disconnects the PlayStation, walks back to the family computers, disconnects it, goes to his car and drives away." – Shane reading Reddit post [61:37]

Funniest/Memorable Moments

Shane reading the cockroach PS2 story with mounting horror [17:12-18:30].
The “Sims is modern Barbies” child psychology discussion [10:00-11:23].
Group dunking on the Animal Crossing gatekeeper and riffing on casual vs. hardcore games [24:15-27:52].
Stardew Valley divorce ridiculousness and age gap roasting [53:33-58:34].
The emotional retelling of the GTA dad confrontation, culminating in the “single tear” and months-long PlayStation ban [61:01-61:53].

Timestamps for Major Segments

Sims “violence” and parental double standards: 02:22 – 11:44
PS2 cockroach horror story: 12:22 – 22:22
Animal Crossing gatekeeping: 22:36 – 39:30
Arthur Morgan impression and “tit pics” confession: 39:32 – 41:41
The Ocarina of Time Switch challenge: 41:43 – 53:15
Stardew Valley in-game marriage drama: 53:33 – 58:34
GTA dad/stripper/family fallout: 59:00 – 66:01
Wrap-up and outro: 66:17 – End

Final Thoughts

Later, gamers!

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

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Summary

Smosh Reads Reddit Stories

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

Episode Overview

Major Discussion Points

1. Video Games in the Family (The Sims as the “Violent” Game?)

Best Moment:

2. Horror Story: Used PS2 Infested with Cockroaches

Best Moment:

3. Gatekeeping Gamers: Animal Crossing vs. “Real” Games

Best Moment:

4. Red Dead Redemption 2: ‘I Sent Tit Pics for an Arthur Morgan Impression’

5. Parenting Challenge: ‘Beat Ocarina of Time and I’ll Buy You a Switch’

6. Red Flag! Demanding a Stardew Valley Divorce

7. Classic Family Drama: Dad Accidentally Punches Stripper in GTA

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

Funniest/Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Major Segments

Final Thoughts

Summary

Smosh Reads Reddit Stories

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

Episode Overview

Major Discussion Points

1. Video Games in the Family (The Sims as the “Violent” Game?)

Best Moment:

2. Horror Story: Used PS2 Infested with Cockroaches

Best Moment:

3. Gatekeeping Gamers: Animal Crossing vs. “Real” Games

Best Moment:

4. Red Dead Redemption 2: ‘I Sent Tit Pics for an Arthur Morgan Impression’

5. Parenting Challenge: ‘Beat Ocarina of Time and I’ll Buy You a Switch’

6. Red Flag! Demanding a Stardew Valley Divorce

7. Classic Family Drama: Dad Accidentally Punches Stripper in GTA

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

Funniest/Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Major Segments

Final Thoughts