Pikachu vs. Mario

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
From the brains behind Brains On, it's Smash Boom Best.

**Corbin** (0:05)
The show for people with big opinions.

**Molly Bloom** (0:07)
I'm your host, Molly Bloom, and you're listening to Smash Boom Best, the show where we take two things, smash them together, and ask you to decide which one is best. Today, two iconic video game characters take the stage. In one corner, we've got a yellow thunder mouse known for packing an electrified punch, and in the other, we've got a mighty mustachioed plumber known for giant jumps. That's right, folks, it's Pikachu versus Mario.
Who will win this Smash Boom battle? Pikachu, everyone's favorite Pokemon companion? Or Mario, that family-friendly handyman who loves his coins?
With such a marvelous match, it's hard to say. Lucky for us, Corbin from Layton, Utah, is here to help us decide. Hi, Corbin.

**Corbin** (0:51)
Hi, Molly.

**Molly Bloom** (0:52)
So, Corbin, when I say Pikachu, what comes to mind?

**Corbin** (0:56)
This little mouse dude who can fire lightning out of his tail.

**Molly Bloom** (1:00)
Have you watched Pokemon or do you play any of the games?

**Corbin** (1:03)
Yeah, I saw the Pokemon Detective Pikachu movie. That was pretty good. And I also play some Pokemon games, like Pokemon Go.

**Molly Bloom** (1:11)
So you are very familiar. And what about Mario?

**Corbin** (1:15)
We got the Italian plumber with his overalls and his red hat. Just, you know, Defeat and Bowser.

**Molly Bloom** (1:21)
And have you played Mario games yourself?

**Corbin** (1:24)
Yeah, I got Mario Odyssey on my Nintendo Switch. And there's a Mario movie coming out in 2022, I think.

**Molly Bloom** (1:30)
Hmm. Mario, Pikachu, they're both iconic.
So would you say that you already think one of these characters is cooler than the other?

**Corbin** (1:38)
I mean, not really. I'm not really biased. I like them both.

**Molly Bloom** (1:42)
Then let's get to it.
Here to take a stand for Team Pikachu, its radio producer and Pokemon trainer, David Zha. Hi, David.

**David Zha** (1:50)
Hi, Molly. Hi, Corbin.

**Molly Bloom** (1:52)
So, David, in a single sentence, why is Pikachu the Smash Boom Best?

**David Zha** (1:57)
Well, Pikachu is fun, furry, a faithful friend, and the greatest Pokemon ever created.

**Molly Bloom** (2:06)
So very persuasive. And here to represent Mario, its podcast pro and Mario maven, Kristina Lopez. Hi, Kristina.

**Kristina Lopez** (2:14)
Hey, Molly. What's going on?

**Molly Bloom** (2:16)
We're so happy you're here. In one sentence, why is Mario so much cooler than Pikachu?

**Kristina Lopez** (2:22)
Whether it's your friends, your family, or the friends that have become your family, Mario brings us all together.

**Molly Bloom** (2:28)
Oh, heartwarming. All right, let's review the rules of the game.
We'll start with the Declaration of Greatness. Each team will have a chance to sling facts, tell stories, and use laughter and logic to make a compelling case for their side. Then they'll each have 30 seconds to make a rip roaring rebuttal and tear their opponent's declaration apart. Next up, we've got the Micro Round, where our debaters will deliver a comedic sketch, monologue, or scenes they've prepared in advance. Round 3 is the Sneak Attack, an improvisational round where our debaters will respond to wacky challenges on the spot. And to close out the debate, we've got the Final Six. Each team will have just six words to make a closing argument for their side. Our judge, Corbin, will award one point for his favorite declaration, one point for the best rebuttal, and one point for the winner of each round after that. He gets to decide on the criteria he'll use to award each point, and he won't tell us who he's voting for until the end of the show. Listeners, you should judge too. Mark down your points and head to our website, smashboom.org, to vote for the team you think won.
Okay, Jumpman, Zappie and Corbin, are you ready to rumble?

**David Zha** (3:42)
Let's rumble.

**Molly Bloom** (3:44)
Then it's time for the...

**SPEAKER_1** (3:45)
Declaration of Greatness.

**Molly Bloom** (3:49)
Our debaters here will present electrifying arguments and show-stopping facts for their sides. We flipped a coin, and David, you're up first.
Give us your Declaration of Greatness for Choochoo, aka Sparky, aka the yelliest yellow rodent of them all, Pikachu.

**David Zha** (4:07)
Greetings, fellow Pokemon trainers, and welcome to the world of Pokemon. Allow me to tell you a little bit more about this amazing place. It's filled with fantastical creatures called Pokemon, wild animals with incredible powers. Pokemon like Squirtle, the turtle, can learn to surf. And others like Charmander, the lizard Pokemon, can breathe fire.
Us humans are here to catch Pokemon to keep as pets. Some even train our Pokemon to compete in epic Pokemon battles to find out who can train the strongest Pokemon in the world. Oh, and fun fact, most Pokemon aren't able to speak to humans, but they are able to say their own names.