The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

This documentary takes on the surprisingly high-stakes world of competitive Donkey Kong, pitting the underdog Steve Wiebe against the reigning champion, Billy Mitchell. What I loved is how it manages to turn a retro arcade rivalry into something that feels as tense and engaging as any classic sports underdog story. The stakes are goofy on the surface, but the film turns this obsessive pursuit into a fascinating look at what drives people (and how petty things can get).

The real hook here is the personalities. Steve Wiebe comes across as this kind, awkward, genuinely passionate guy you can’t help but root for, while Billy Mitchell might be one of the most memorable “villains” in any documentary I’ve seen. His mullet, his bravado, and his strange sense of pride over a decades-old arcade record make every scene with him electric. The supporting cast of quirky arcade aficionados rounds things out, adding even more flavor to this peculiar subculture.

I think the pacing is one of the strong suits. It’s brisk, easy to follow even if you’ve never touched a classic arcade game, and the editing keeps things lively throughout. I sometimes wished the film would dig just a little deeper into the psychology of obsession, since you can sense there’s more going on under the surface, but honestly, the balance struck here works more often than not.

Visually, it’s nothing flashy—the cinematography is pretty straightforward, but it suits the material. There are a few charming re-creations of arcade scenes, and the soundtrack has the right kind of retro, mischievous energy. It won’t blow you away with its visuals, but the real star is the cast of real-life characters and their weirdly high-stakes battle.

You would enjoy this if you’re a fan of quirky true stories, retro gaming nostalgia, or just love rooting for the little guy. Even if video games aren’t your thing, the human drama at the core works in a universal way.