Over a year and a half ago, I set my high score in Donkey Kong at 298,200. I was SO close to 300K, but didn’t hit it. I haven’t been able to get close to that score at all since then. I took some time off from playing it because I was burning out.
Well, since tomorrow I am going to be playing some DK with with a few other collectors that live close by, I thought I’d better warm up. Played one game this morning. I only hit 92K on the first man, then I died twice on a barrel level at 140K. My last guy I made it over 300K finally. I was getting really nervous once I hit about 250K, and my hands were shaking at 280K. Still, I hit the milestone (barely) with a score of 300,600!
Here’s the screen shot:
I was so excited to hit the score that I ran upstairs to get my camera. Once I hit the top of the stairs I remembered I didn’t enter my initials in yet. I ran down but didn’t enter them quick enough before time ran out. Crap, now I have to beat it 5 times to fix that screw-up!
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Hey, well done. I’m a similar level player, although my high score is 224K. I’m suffering burnout I think, but worried about losing my skills. What frequency of play do you think is necessary to maintain that level? Maybe I should take a break for 6 months and come back fresh. After a long break how long do you think it takes to get back up there? Cheers, Andrew (Sydney Australia)
Andrew, I really haven’t played a lot in the past year or so. I took some time to get better at Tron, then just never really got back into the game. I would play maybe once a weekend, and usually hit about 180K. I only hit 200K once during that time. Yesterday I had a good day and just took my time. I think that I would get even better if I played 3-4 games a week and worked on my timing, but it starts to take a lot of time to do so. If you can hit 200K, then you really shouldn’t have any problem getting much higher with your timing down. Go to coinopspace.com for some excellent strategies to keep your scores growing!
Mr. Jeff,
This was brought to my attention by a friend… Remember that you scored over 200,000 of that 300,000 after DK reached maximum difficulty. Moreover, your talent(score) puts you well above the top ONE PERCENT of all DK Players in the world…
“Always Play to Win, Always”
Billy Mitchell
(for real)
Thanks for the encouragement Billy. I promise your record is safe (at least from me)! I keep getting a little better each time I play, so hopefully someday I can see that Kill Screen in my own game!
Hello, Great job to see that you broke that milestone. When I play I start to get excited. The key for me is to tell myself I’ve been here before as far as score goes so I don’t get so tense. My highest recorded score is 335,300 and not recorded 593,900. I didn’t record that game because I was just checking out my x-arcade controller after I modded it to see if it worked and ended playing the game out. I’ve been stuck around 300k range for awhile. Looking for the arcade because it’s rough playing the MAME version. Can’t find any around Indianapolis. Oh well I’m rambling. Great job.
@Joseph – If you find a good place to play in Indy, let me know! I spend a lot of time there for work and always looking for a good place to play some classic games. I can’t play DK on anything besides the original cabinet because the joystick is a big part of the game “feel”. Good Luck!
I think I’m about to get my own machine out in Ohio if the person still has the arcade. I was going to get it Monday but my bank was closed. I’m just crossing my fingers that he has it this weekend. As far as places around Indiana the only place I’ve seen had one is a place called Rascals fun zone and it’s on a multicade. Not the same to me. I’ve never played on an original arcade but I’ve talked to people and they say it’s 10x’s better than MAME.
Congrats on finding a machine! Hope it works out well for you. You’ll love it!
Thank you but since I wrote that I found another DK machine in great condition under 300 bucks and it’s only 2 miles away compared to the 140 miles I was going to drive for the higher priced machine. This was a sign. Lol. I found the joystick to have a different feel though compared to my x-arcade sticks. I still put up a score of over 200k at the guys house. The guy didn’t want me to stop playing because he had only got 70k on it as his high score and he was amazed when I told him I’ve never played donkey kong arcade. Which I haven’t really officially until then but then I told him I’ve played the MAME version. He was shocked when I stop playing with 2 men left. A guy called him trying to buy it when I was playing it trying to convince him to sell to him because he would be best for it and the guy told him I don’t think your better then this guy(talking about me). It makes you feel good that some people appriciate your skills.
Joe that’s a great story. Glad you found one so close! Was it in nice shape? You can find everything you need to restore it good as new if you ever want to. There’s also a great high score save kit out there that will save your high scores when the machine is turned off. Check out arcadeshop.com. You can also get a D2K kit to add the game Donkey Kong 2. There’s more info on my site about that game. I’m going to make a cabinet for my D2K soon. Enjoy the game!
It’s in great shape for the price. It needs new side art but he just had a new cap kit put on it a year ago and the insides look really good for the age. I’ll need to get a new bulb for the top marqee and new locks installed because he doesn’t have the key but for what it’s worth it’s a killer deal. As for the save kit do you know if you can still submit video with that on there to TwinGalaxies? I want one but if I can’t submit video then I don’t think I’ll get it. I want to make a mame Cab for D2K myself. That looks really hard though. Not the cab but the game itself. I watched video on youtube and I don’t think I could get 100k on it.
Jeff, You still “upping your game”? I haven’t seen any new info on anything lately and wanted to see if you were still playing. I’ve only found time to play really on the weekend but have had a few good games this week in the 400k range. I just wanted to see how you’ve progressed.
Joseph, you’re killing me with scores like that! I’ve started playing again but already fell off this past week with other things going on. All of my attention right now is on the renovation of my Girls’ room. I hit 200K a couple times but haven’t approached my 300K score yet. I’ve been playing around a bit on the cement board and working on my Spring timing. Once I get those a bit better I think I’ll be catching up with you! Soon!!! How is your cabinet?
Oh, the cabs great. I haven’t really worked on it. I just want to get some side art and a new joystick. I’ve played a few games this week but not to much but I’ve been busy with stuff myself. Hopefully you’ll hit that kill screen in no time.
Hi guys found this blog as ive just scored 205k on my mame cab. Ive a question for Joseph if you dont mind – ive got old style 4 way controls so my mame box is about as close as you can get without the real thing. But I always wondered how the game itself compares to mame. Is it easier, faster etc? Cheers and keep marching toward that killscreen!
Hey Joe, the difference between my MAME x-arcade controller and my 4way arcade controller aren’t too different. The game play is exactly the same. Although I do miss lounging with my x-arcade in my lap and jamming to music on my computer while I”m playing. Everything else though is spot on the same. my x-arcade would have trouble moving to the left and my arcade controller is kind of sticking right now. I just started playing again since I’ve been working on my car for awhile and got my game back up to the 500k range and did 325,400 on my first man two days ago. I still want a kill screen by the end of the year but right now I just want 600k by the end of summer. Good luck in your quest.
Well, got my 600k a few days ago with a 604k. Today I hit my new high score of 771,200. So I’m a little head of my time frame for my kill screen. I came really close with my 771k game. Made it to the first barrel stage of level 20. My goal is by the end of 2011 to get my kill screen. I’ll chime in when I hit it.
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