Smash or Pass is a popular, if somewhat juvenile, game where the player goes through some form of list or randomly generated selection of characters to determine who is found attractive and who isn’t. It’s mostly played as a harmless game, with Smash or Pass videos being found on social media like Tiktok. One recent Tiktok trend, for example, was a smash or pass game on randomly generated Marvel characters, resulting in hilarious scenarios like deciding what to do with Rocket Raccoon.
Building on this trend, if not perhaps late to it in his own fun, YouTuber Markiplier released a video playing Smash or Pass with 898 Pokemon. The thing is, for the most part, Markiplier sticks to the two words of the game, smash or pass, rarely ever commenting on his choices. For example, the first Pokemon to “smash” would be Beedrill, and that’s certainly a hilarious choice given with no context. On one Pokemon, he comments he doesn’t know why but smash, but that’s about all the commentary viewers get as a whole.
Overall, of the 898 (or 899, as he comments at the end), Markiplier files 72 Pokemon under Smash and the rest under pass. Markiplier and/or Pokemon fans can watch the video below, but for those curious about the exact 72 Pokemon too, that’s been listed below as well.
Markiplier’s Smash or Pass Pokemon Video (And Every Pokemon That Falls Under ‘Smash’)
Following Beedrill into the “smash” category are quite a few notable choices, such as Arbok, Magneton, Wailord, Conkeldurr, Sigilyph, Escavalier, Snom, and his very last choice, the legendary dragon titan Regidrago (upon which he comments he doesn’t know why).
Beedrill
Arbok
Ninetales
Diglett
Dugtrio
Weepinbell
Magneton
Shellder
Cloyster
Hitmonchan
Lapras
Ditto
Mewtwo
Misdreavus
Blissey
Blaziken
Gardevoir
Wailord
Lileep
Gorebyss
Deoxys
Vespiquen
Lopunny
Darkrai
Tranquill
Unfezant
Conkeldurr
Leavanny
Lilligant
Sigilyph
Zoroark
Gothitelle
Swanna
Vanilluxe
Escavalier
Accelgor
Mandibuzz
Delphox
Greninja
Florges
Spritzee
Aromatisse
Malamar
Dragalge
Goomy
Sliggoo
Gourgeist
Decidueye
Primarina
Charjabug
Oricorio
Lurantis
Salazzle
Tsareena
Palossand
Turtonator
Bruxish
Tapu Lele
Tapu Fini
Lunala
Nihilego
Pheromosa
Blacephalon
Cinderace
Sandaconda
Toxtricity
Sinistea
Hatterene
Runerigus
Snom
Stonjourner
Urshifu
Regidrago
There appears to be no rhyme or reason to his choices, simply pure chaos in the form of decision-making. Markiplier sometimes pauses, looks real close at his choice, and then can still go either way—Smash or Pass. The various comments on the video have a lot of fun with his choices. For example, he comments that Combee is cute but not smashable, but Vespquen is not as cute but is a Smash. He comments on one Pokemon being just a Zebra after adding saying Smash to two bird Pokemon in a row, and some read into his facial expressions for added meaning.
These expressions really do drive this video home, adding so much emotion to a video that really only focuses on two words. Then, Markiplier ends the video with a very direct message to his viewers: “I will not be explaining anything. I will not take any questions. Goodbye.”
Overall, the sheer hilarity and strangeness of the video is reflected in its audience. Markiplier is a big name, of course, but two days before Valentine’s Day, he posts this Smash or Pass Pokemon video. As of this writing, this video has received 2.4 million views and 279K likes.
Pokemon Legend: Arceus is available now on Nintendo Switch.