Ep 2. Comeback Kid

High Score season 1 episode 2, titled "Comeback Kid," follows the story of a young boy named Todd Rogers, who is considered one of the greatest video game players of all time. Todd made his name by playing and setting world records for classic arcade games like "Donkey Kong" and "Centipede."

The episode opens with Todd Rogers explaining how he discovered his love for video games in his youth. He became obsessed with arcade games and would spend hours playing them every day. Todd's interest in arcade games eventually led him to enter tournaments, and he quickly rose to the top of the leaderboard. He was soon recognized as one of the best arcade players in the world.

As Todd's reputation grew, he began to receive sponsorship deals and was even invited to participate in a documentary about the history of arcade games. However, Todd's success was not without controversy. Some players accused him of cheating, claiming that his high scores were impossible to achieve.

The episode explores the various controversies surrounding Todd's world records, including accusations of using modified game cartridges, exploiting glitches in the game, and falsifying scores. Despite the accusations, Todd maintained his innocence and continued to defend his records.

The controversy surrounding Todd's records eventually reached a breaking point, and a group of gamers came together to challenge Todd's claim of achieving a perfect game score in "Dragster." This particular game was notoriously difficult to beat, and Todd's record had stood for over 30 years.

The episode follows the intense competition between Todd and his challengers as they race to achieve a perfect score in "Dragster." We see the various tactics and strategies they employ, as well as the emotional toll the competition takes on them.

As the competition comes to a close, the episode delves into the impact that video games have had on our culture and society. We hear from experts in the field who discuss the history of video games and how they have evolved over time. We also see how video games have become a form of art, inspiring artists, musicians, and filmmakers.

Ultimately, "Comeback Kid" is a fascinating look at the world of competitive video gaming and the controversies that can arise within the community. It's a testament to the passion and dedication of gamers around the world and the impact that video games have had on our culture.