King of Kong

Question: Look at me, what do you think my initials were? If you can't see it, you're not looking hard enough.

Answer: F.A.G.

Billy Mitchell is the huge douche that happens to have the current high score to the arcade version of Donkey Kong... at least, if you're willing to believe Twin Galaxies and after this movie, I doubt you would.

I saw The King of Kong (2007) based on a recommendation and it was certainly worth my time. The documentary follows the history of the contested Donkey Kong high score, from the time little Billy Mitchell first made the record (in the 1980s) to when Steve Wiebe broke it (multiple times in this movie).

If you knew nothing about the context of this movie, you might think that it's a mockumentary. Oh if only.

Billy Mitchell had one big record back in the day, and has been riding on that one victory for the past 20 years. He looks like some sort of salesman (indeed, he sells hot sauce with his parents) and has a skanky looking wife. He is promoted by Twin Galaxies and uses his connections with them to maintain his high scores. After his record got p0wn3d by Steve Wiebe (who was forced by TG to break the record in public, thousands of miles from home), Mitchell submitted a shady-as-hell video that was immediately accepted by TG. His wife has never seen him compete in public.

Walter Day, the "official scorekeeper" of Twin Galaxies, is a nut. The documentary features a few clips of him singing and playing the guitar. Also, he's in to transcendental meditation. He sweats Billy Mitchell hard and made him "Videogamer of the Century" an interesting title, considering video games had only been around for about a quarter of a century during the 20th century and the 21st century is far from over. Oh well, what do you expect from a nut that thinks he can reach enlightenment by closing his eyes and jumping around a room with a bunch of pillows? However, after further research I found the official TG Statement on KoK and frankly, I think Day may have a point.

Steve Wiebe is the hero of the movie, and possibly the only gamer featured that deserves to live. Also, he's he only one I noticed that was married and had kids.

To see the rest of the ridiculous characters, pick up the movie. I gave it a 5/5 on Netflix.

But just for fun... here's an interview with Mr. Awesome (Roy Shildt, videogamer):



Lolxors.