The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
An unexpectedly gripping documentary turns a Donkey Kong high-score rivalry into a funny, strange, and revealing battle over recognition.
Overview
An epic showdown in the world of arcade gaming unfolds as two competitors vie for the ultimate title.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- eccentric
- suspenseful
- game night
- documentary night
What critics said
Critics overwhelmingly found the documentary funny, compelling, and poignant, praising its eccentric subjects and broader insights into obsession and human behavior.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Donkey Kong record chase becomes a metaphor for making it in America and for competing within a status-conscious subculture.
Billy Mitchell, Steve Wiebe, and Walter Day are depicted through their distinctive behavior, self-presentation, and competing interpretations of arcade fame.
Funspot tournaments, referee-like record verification, and the community’s reverence for Donkey Kong scores create a mythic arcade culture.
Wiebe’s record attempt and Mitchell’s videotaped counterclaim make score verification and public recognition the film’s central suspense mechanism.
Films like The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, and why
Spellbound
funny, character-driven documentary about obsessive competition and eccentric subcultures
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
playful documentary portrait of intensely competitive performers pursuing mastery
Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade
observational documentary examining gaming culture, rivalry, and personal obsession
Hoop Dreams
compelling underdog documentary shaped by ambition, rivalry, and American success mythology
Movie Details
- Director
- Seth Gordon
- Release Date
- 2007-03-25
- Runtime
- 83 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (516)
Cast
- Steve Wiebe
- Billy Mitchell
- Walter Day
- Mark Alpiger
- Greg Bond
- Craig Glenday
- Brian Kuh
- Robert Mruczek
- Todd Rogers
- Steve Sanders
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters about?
- An unexpectedly gripping documentary turns a Donkey Kong high-score rivalry into a funny, strange, and revealing battle over recognition.
- What is The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.
- What did critics think of The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters?
- Critics overwhelmingly found the documentary funny, compelling, and poignant, praising its eccentric subjects and broader insights into obsession and human behavior.
- Which films are like The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters?
- Films with a similar feel include Spellbound, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade, and Hoop Dreams.
- How long is The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters?
- The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters runs 83 minutes.
- Where can I watch The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters?
- In United States, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
