The King of Kong

Truly one of the more original documentaries of recent memory, the King of Kong examines the relics that are arcade video games, and the hangers-on who continue to vie for global dominance and high scores. Donkey Kong has been named the most technically difficult game ever created, and this expose follows the reigning champion and world record holder, a forty-something, mullet-sporting blowhard from Florida, and the challenger - a normal family man from Redmond, Washington as their competition boils to a head to determine who is in fact the master of Donkey Kong.

For a documentary, there was quite a bit of character development. Billy Mitchell, the aforementioned blowhard has been a record holder of numerous video games over the course of the last twenty-five years. He demonstrates his competitive spirit and devious tactics nefariously by refusing live competitions and submitting questionable video footage of his alleged feats.

Steve Wiebe is the challenger, and the clear protagonist in his endeavor. His back story is more simple. A consummate competitor his whole life who has come up short on numerous occasions and is emotionally damaged as a result. He decided to take up Donkey Kong after being laid off, and is now a middle school science teacher. His character is never drawn into question, and he clearly wears his heart on his sleeve.

The interesting thing about this study is just how serious the individuals involved take arcade video games and the high scores. There is an organization that was founded in the 1980's whose sole purpose is to validate submissions of scores and dole out individual records for every game ever created. The holy grail of all quests for the gamers is in fact the "kill screen" at the end of Donkey Kong. Only Mitchell has been rumored to have reached it, and it represents the point where the game runs out of memory. At that point, it's just over.

Wiebe follows the protocol for validation by journeying from Washington to Florida to Funspot, a beacon of video arcade nostalgia located ironically enough in Billy Mitchell's hometown. It is there that an annual competition is held for all comers to vie for their place in history (okay, maybe a slight overstatement).

As the film builds to its climax, there is a real sense of good versus evil. Such a simple and almost petty concept becomes more than just geometry, muscle memory and timing. The tension is palpable. The good guy has to win, doesn't he?

Being a part of the video game generation, I remember arcades being a place full of mystique and magic. Man versus machine (kind of) in an accepting environment that promoted solitary achievement and fun above all else. Only now do I realize the complexity of so many of these games, even ones as simple as Donkey Kong. There are established parameters and algorithms that dictate movement, action and reaction. There are random probabilities thrown in so that the patterns can't be completely figured out. It is truly a skillful blend of art and science.

This documentary does a great job of shedding light on the underground world of competitive classic gaming. I enjoyed it, and you will too, regardless of your interest in video games. 7/10.