Watch The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is a 2007 documentary film directed by Seth Gordon. The film follows the story of two men, Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchell, competing for the title of world champion in the video game Donkey Kong. Steve Wiebe is a schoolteacher and family man who becomes obsessed with the classic arcade game Donkey Kong after losing his job. He spends his days practicing and mastering the game, eventually breaking the world record and submitting his score to Twin Galaxies, the official record-keeping organization for video game scores.

Billy Mitchell is a flamboyant and outspoken businessman who has held the world record for Donkey Kong since the 1980s. He is revered by the gaming community and has become a celebrity within the world of arcade gaming. When he hears of Wiebe's record-breaking score, he immediately takes action to defend his title and launches a campaign to discredit Wiebe's achievement.

The film follows the two men as they compete to see who can achieve the highest score in Donkey Kong. Along the way, we meet a cast of colorful characters including Walter Day, founder of Twin Galaxies, and Brian Kuh, a young up-and-comer in the gaming world who acts as Mitchell's right-hand man.

As the competition heats up, we are shown the lengths that both men will go to in order to secure their place in gaming history. Wiebe spends countless hours practicing and perfecting his technique, while Mitchell travels the world attending gaming conventions and mingling with his fans.

Through interviews with Wiebe, Mitchell, and other members of the gaming community, the film explores the psychology of competitive gaming and the obsession that drives these men to pursue such an esoteric form of achievement. Along the way, we are treated to some truly thrilling moments as Wiebe and Mitchell engage in intense battles that will determine who will claim the title of world champion.

Overall, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is an engrossing and entertaining documentary that explores the world of competitive gaming in a way that is both insightful and engaging. Whether you are a fan of arcade games or not, this film is sure to captivate you with its fascinating characters, thrilling competitions, and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be a champion.

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0 and a MetaScore of 83.