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In the cut-throat world of Donkey Kong only one man can rule! In this hilarious, critically-acclaimed arcade showdown, an unprecedented rivalry rocks the electronic world to its core! Join novice gamer Steve Wiebe on his quest to destroy the top score of gaming legend Billy Mitchell, the uncontested champion of the Donkey Kong world for over 20 years and find out which of them can truly claim the title King of Kong!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
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This has been on my 'to see' list for a while, and I'm glad I eventually made time to sit down and watch it. It was brilliant on many levels. You just couldn't make it up.
The film gives us a glimpse into the world of 'competitive gaming' in the niche area of arcade classics - mainly, as the title suggest Donkey Kong. Now don't worry if you're not into computer games or consoles, or if you've never heard of the game Donkey Kong before (although frankly, I find that unlikely for anyone who grew up in 80s, or who had kids growing up around that tim), that really doesn't matter. This is not a film for computer geeks and can be enjoyed - nay - WILL be enjoyed by everyone.
Speaking of geeks, King of Kong features a mixed cast of geeks, oddballs, nerds, a few (oddly) very normal people, an 'evil king' of sorts, his minions, and a humble hero who rises to challenge the dark lord's grip on gamin - the extremely likeable Steve Weibe.
It's seems classic gaming is a strange, close knit world, dominated (until now at least) by one Billy Mitchell - Kong champion since 1982 - who seems to control the other members of Twin Galaxies (the name of the organisation who keep the official scores and hold events) with some sort of, almost cult-like quality. It's spooky the way they follow him around and do his bidding... that is, until Steve Weibe appears.
Except it's not that simple. Nothing is that simple in the world of classic gaming and the Twin Galaxies it seems. A world where cheating and subterfuge are rife! A world where people have almost been brainwashed by an evil overlord!... Read more ›
The film gives us a glimpse into the world of 'competitive gaming' in the niche area of arcade classics - mainly, as the title suggest Donkey Kong. Now don't worry if you're not into computer games or consoles, or if you've never heard of the game Donkey Kong before (although frankly, I find that unlikely for anyone who grew up in 80s, or who had kids growing up around that tim), that really doesn't matter. This is not a film for computer geeks and can be enjoyed - nay - WILL be enjoyed by everyone.
Speaking of geeks, King of Kong features a mixed cast of geeks, oddballs, nerds, a few (oddly) very normal people, an 'evil king' of sorts, his minions, and a humble hero who rises to challenge the dark lord's grip on gamin - the extremely likeable Steve Weibe.
It's seems classic gaming is a strange, close knit world, dominated (until now at least) by one Billy Mitchell - Kong champion since 1982 - who seems to control the other members of Twin Galaxies (the name of the organisation who keep the official scores and hold events) with some sort of, almost cult-like quality. It's spooky the way they follow him around and do his bidding... that is, until Steve Weibe appears.
Except it's not that simple. Nothing is that simple in the world of classic gaming and the Twin Galaxies it seems. A world where cheating and subterfuge are rife! A world where people have almost been brainwashed by an evil overlord!... Read more ›
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By TimeJock
Living as we do in the age of Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, with their cutting edge graphics and movie-scale production values, it's easy to forget that the gaming landscape was once a much simpler place, where fancy 3D graphics were unheard of, where the arcade cabinet was king, and where Donkey Kong ruled the world.
Today, games like Donkey Kong, Pac Man and Space Invaders have almost faded from living memory, consigned to legend and that misty, almost forgotten decade known as the Eighties. But for small groups of hardcore gamers scattered around the world, these old classics are still very much alive. The King of Kong is a window into this strange sub-culture, the people who make it tick, and the competitive personalities who push themselves to win the title of the World's Greatest Donkey Kong Player.
In the early Eighties, a talented young gamer named Billy Mitchell set the world record for the highest ever score on Donkey Kong. Since then, he's used his minor celebrity status to build up an impressive business empire and a self-inflated public persona. It's been more than twenty years since he set the record, and no other gamer has come close to beating it. Until now.
Enter Steve Weibe; a soft-spoken school teacher, family man and retro gamer who spends hours of his day in his garage, playing on his old arcade cabinet, and gradually improving his scores until he's in a position to challenge Mitchell. The King of Kong follows these two men as they strive to outdo each other, and be recognised as the best player of all time.
It sounds ludicrous, and frankly, it is, but don't let that put you off this truly excellent documentary.... Read more ›
Today, games like Donkey Kong, Pac Man and Space Invaders have almost faded from living memory, consigned to legend and that misty, almost forgotten decade known as the Eighties. But for small groups of hardcore gamers scattered around the world, these old classics are still very much alive. The King of Kong is a window into this strange sub-culture, the people who make it tick, and the competitive personalities who push themselves to win the title of the World's Greatest Donkey Kong Player.
In the early Eighties, a talented young gamer named Billy Mitchell set the world record for the highest ever score on Donkey Kong. Since then, he's used his minor celebrity status to build up an impressive business empire and a self-inflated public persona. It's been more than twenty years since he set the record, and no other gamer has come close to beating it. Until now.
Enter Steve Weibe; a soft-spoken school teacher, family man and retro gamer who spends hours of his day in his garage, playing on his old arcade cabinet, and gradually improving his scores until he's in a position to challenge Mitchell. The King of Kong follows these two men as they strive to outdo each other, and be recognised as the best player of all time.
It sounds ludicrous, and frankly, it is, but don't let that put you off this truly excellent documentary.... Read more ›
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
When I was a kid in the 80s I'd go to Butlins with my family, be given £1 and make it last a day, playing Gorf, Centipede and all of the other classic games. I dreamt of being a pro gamer but didn't think it was a real job! This film charts the challenge to beat the Donkey Kong score. It is a real David vs Goliath story, made all the more interesting in the fact it's a documentary (I have to say a few times I wondered if it was a hoax). If you have any interest in 80s arcade games you will be hooked, it is fascinating to get an insight in to the lives of the people who are truly addicted to the games, even after 20 years. It will also make you realise why you couldn't beat Donkey Kong all those years ago! My fave moment is the guy telling epople there is a "Kill Screen" coming up - he has a passion which skirts on the psychotic!
Well worth watching, plenty of nostalgic moments. Just try to avoid shouting "Get a life" at the screen!
Well worth watching, plenty of nostalgic moments. Just try to avoid shouting "Get a life" at the screen!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Thank goodness there are people out there who think, "Hey, I know. I'm going out to follow hardcore golden age gamers and see what makes them tick." Without these people, we would not have King of Kong, one of the most intriguing, surreal and down right wonderful documentaries cinema has seen.
Let me just stress this is a documentary. This is real people, in a very real world, although you may think otherwise when being introduced to the people involved. I myself am a gamer, I have been bought up through the evolution of the pixel from Spectrum to Playstation 3, and I think they are a great pass time and hobby. These guys however, how a whole new level of adoration and respect for the arcade gaming world, in particular competition and worldwide high scores. There lives revolve heavily around out doing one another, and they're not shy about their love and passion for retro games. Because of their obsessions some of these participants seem like a jilted human version of the very character they are playing in the game, stuck in a surreal world where they have some unexplainable goal to reach, for no real reason other than admiration. This makes the gamers thoroughly engaging, they have (to those watching) wonderfully colourful, comical and charming personalities. Geeks they may be, but with the revolution of 'Geek Chic' in cinema thanks mainly to Judd Apatow, its nice to see the real deal at work.
The supposed 'Obi-Wan' of the Kong world is a man called Billy Mitchell, a man wheeled straight of the set of a 1980's 'Home Improvement' type show. This is the man who will make you think the whole film surely cannot be an actual documentary.... Read more ›
Let me just stress this is a documentary. This is real people, in a very real world, although you may think otherwise when being introduced to the people involved. I myself am a gamer, I have been bought up through the evolution of the pixel from Spectrum to Playstation 3, and I think they are a great pass time and hobby. These guys however, how a whole new level of adoration and respect for the arcade gaming world, in particular competition and worldwide high scores. There lives revolve heavily around out doing one another, and they're not shy about their love and passion for retro games. Because of their obsessions some of these participants seem like a jilted human version of the very character they are playing in the game, stuck in a surreal world where they have some unexplainable goal to reach, for no real reason other than admiration. This makes the gamers thoroughly engaging, they have (to those watching) wonderfully colourful, comical and charming personalities. Geeks they may be, but with the revolution of 'Geek Chic' in cinema thanks mainly to Judd Apatow, its nice to see the real deal at work.
The supposed 'Obi-Wan' of the Kong world is a man called Billy Mitchell, a man wheeled straight of the set of a 1980's 'Home Improvement' type show. This is the man who will make you think the whole film surely cannot be an actual documentary.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
It Truly Is King
An absolutely fantastic documentary about the competition between two men competing for the high-score on arcade classic Donkey Kong.
Sounds awful? Read more
Sounds awful? Read more
Published 2 months ago by D. Mccaffrey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Billy vs Steve
So, here we are. The satanic Billy Mitchell vs the angelic, drum playing Steve Weibe. Billy is a renowned and legendary gamer with an enormous cv of gaming cred, stretching back... Read more
Published 7 months ago by mistercuts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cracking film!!
Hilarious, can be watch with anyone and is a fascinating insight into the world of hardcore computer players!
Really good price and promptly delivered.
Really good price and promptly delivered.
Published 14 months ago by Ms. Ck Oates
5.0 out of 5 stars
dazzling
This documentary was recommended to me by my friend and now i must recommend it to the world. I would not say that arcade gaming interests me and there you see that isnt an issue... Read more
Published 16 months ago by sean paul mccann
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Golden Age !
As far as a documentary goes, The King of Kong is extremely well done. Good vs Bad guy.
But, this is what it makes you believe. Read more
But, this is what it makes you believe. Read more
Published 22 months ago by J. Stoodley
5.0 out of 5 stars
1 up for the little man!
I'd never heard of this documentary until I spotted it on here. Bought it, watched it and was blown away about what went on in the high score gaming fraternity of the 80's. Read more
Published on 15 May 2011 by KM
5.0 out of 5 stars
It isn't just a game in this epic battle of good vs evil
Man, I am all worked up after watching this fascinating film. The King of Kong is about so much more than a video game record - this really is good vs. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2011 by Daniel Jolley
5.0 out of 5 stars
These guys have it made
After watching this film I'm feeling really depressed and can't believe that I've thrown my life away. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2010 by Infallible_Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant alternative.
This film is so good in many ways. The story is equally fascinating, touching and captivating. It is a brilliant alternative to the blockbusting trash that stews out monthly. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2010 by R. Britain
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant - my new favourite film
Sorry, no detailed review here as I don't want to give anything away. Plus I can't be bothered - just wanted to rate the stars.
Published on 1 Sep 2010 by Chewriferus
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