what do you get when you combine the 1980s, video arcades, the guinness book of world records, human drama, sabotage, corruption, power, cheating, trash-talking, genius, ego, and insanity?
why, you get ‘the king of kong: a fistful of quarters’ of course. one of my all-time favorite documentaries. this eccentric film, released in 2007, features ‘self-proclaimed legend’ in the world of video arcade games, billy mitchell, florida hot sauce magnate and the holder of the ‘donkey kong champion of the world high scoring’ record for 25 years, and the first perfect game scorer in the history of pac-man, as he is challenged by quiet and brilliant unemployed aerospace engineer/now science teacher from washington, steve wiebe, who has never won a thing in his life.
in this film, their long distance rivalry and ultimate challenge is played out right before our eyes and under the careful watch of walter day, creator of twin galaxies, and online gaming website gatekeeper. what follows is a classic tale of good vs. evil, davy and goliath, sheer will and karma, and the suspense never stops right up until the very last second.
watching this, i spent 79 fascinating minutes glued to the screen, laughing, crying, cheering and yelling, right along with it. and most of all, i love that it was categorized under ‘sports’ in the documentary world.
film quotes:
Walter Day: This rivalry is among the greatest: the Yankees and Red Sox… Hekyll and Jekyll.
“I wanted to be a hero. I wanted to be the center of attention. I wanted the glory, I wanted the fame. I wanted the pretty girls to come up and say, “Hi, I see that you’re good at Centipede.”
Jillian Wiebe (Steve’s wife) : Work is for people who can’t play video games.
image credit: picturehouse/dendy cinema
I didn't have my glasses on.... 
This is such a great documentary. I like when the Burger Time player chooses sides in the player battle. Not mockworthy, because I am kind of jealous I can’t do this, just fascinating.
LikeLike
i absolutely agree with this napr )
LikeLike
I’ll have to look it up… Sounds like great fun!
LikeLike
it really is, mother hen )
LikeLike
File under sports! How wonderful. This rivalry sounds like it might have a little Fischer vs. Spassky to it, too, Beth. I must find this one. Thank you for the enticing review.
LikeLike
oh i think you’ll love this one, mark. especially begin a sports writer and all –
LikeLike
I know!
LikeLike
I love that quote and I love this review. I still have yet to see that movie, though I want to. One of our indulgences when we moved into this house was to get a standup arcade game. Had always been a dream of mine.
>
LikeLike
thanks, and knowing about your own personal arcade game, i think you both would love this )
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
It seems to me we can never lose when we compete with ourselves. But not winning is different from losing. After all… I’m a pretty amazing guy (being Chris Brown, and all) so how do you beat that? But we all are. As soon as you beat yourself… YOU WIN!!! As soon as you lose to yourself, yourself WINS!! This is earth shattering!
I must check out that movie. It sound awesome.
LikeLike
it is, chris )
LikeLike
I’ve long believed that good storytellers can ferret out the most interesting tales from the most unlikely of places, and this sounds like an excellent example of that.
LikeLike
i so agree, and you are right, this doc is the perfect example of that )
LikeLike
I loved Heckle and Jeckle but I don’t remember them being rivals – they worked their schemes together.
LikeLike
me too, and consider the source…..)
LikeLike
Fascinating.
LikeLike
it really is )
LikeLike
Thanks for the information.
LikeLike
Easily one of my favorite docs ever. As a child of the 80s arcade generation it made me want to challenge some pimply kid to a game of Street Fighter 2 Turbo
LikeLike
and easy to love. you should have gone for it!
LikeLike
A great documentary. Loved it when I saw this.
LikeLike
it’s hard not to love )
LikeLike
This was a great review for a movie I would not have chosen but now must find soon! My youngest daughter and I liked a different kind of love story, cried like babies watching, “Labor Day.” Not for kids but a great one, we were so happy that it all works out, but it takes its good old time telling the story… I liked the suspense of it all! Smiles, Robin
LikeLike
oh, i think you’d love it robin. you’ll be rooting for the underdog and justice to be served, i’m sure of that. thanks for the labor day recommendation, i’ll request it from the library )
LikeLike
I love this post, saved to my ‘Favourites’. I gotta check out the film
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks so much, john. i think you’ll really enjoy it –
LikeLike