Donkey Kong - NEW PR (246,100)!!!

[javeryh]

While I think they did intend to include barrel control, I don't think they intended it to be used by the player. I imagine they did it they way they did so the barrels would shoot down a ladder as you ran toward it, to make it harder. Having the player use this to their advantage was probably an unintended consequence.

I agree - it is details like this that make DK so replayable though.  Also, I often wonder if they thought Mario could jump a barrel while jumping in the same direction as it is rolling or if they knew that you could skip 1/2 the elevators level or if they knew on the cement factory and rivets that you could control where the enemies spawn to your advantage.  I'm sure I'm leaving stuff out but it all adds up to a GREAT game.

[wp34]

I've met him.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/isucamper/VGHoF23.jpg 

In all honesty, he's really awesome to fans.  He was willing to travel to the middle of nowhere to bs for hours about games.  Very inviting and nice.  Pretty eccentric, but that's no crime.

At this event in Ottumwa, a bunch of people went to eat at "The Canteen" which was an old hang out for them in the 80s.  They had an eating contest (him and Steve Sanders, Tim McVey, and others) and he kept hiding how many Canteens he had eaten.  He ended up winning by like 8-4 because he was hiding the wrappers as he ate, and the whole time Walter Day was badgering him to get back to the event.  Pretty hilarious.

A little OT but The Canteen is my favorite all time place to eat.  I can't imagine eating 8 of them.  I can eat 3 with no problem but 8?  Wow. 

Glad to hear you met him and had a different take from the movie.

[sk8ersublime]

i wish i could break 100k.....83K is my high :\ haha

[javeryh]

You will get there.  I was stuck in the 80s because I couldn't get past that 3rd elevator level - once I did my score shot up to 125k which is where I'm at now.  All 5 high scores are over 100K now.

[sk8ersublime]

im sure ill play better once my cab is done too

[massive88]

While I think they did intend to include barrel control, I don't think they intended it to be used by the player. I imagine they did it they way they did so the barrels would shoot down a ladder as you ran toward it, to make it harder. Having the player use this to their advantage was probably an unintended consequence.

I dunno, before yesterday I never knew the formula, but to figure out that you can control the barrels to some extent is not that hard to decipher.  I don't imagine the people play testing and creating the game thought it would never be done, surely people were barrel controlling early after release in the arcades.  Before yesterday I already had it in my head that its not worth trying to do it on the first board, and that it rarely works on the second, but from there on its definitely noticeable and worth paying attention to.

I would suggest that since there is still a random element to it, that they knew it would be used by the player.  If not, why not make it always happen in the most detrimental way at the higher levels?

Like Javeryh said, its that which gives depth to the game from a gameplay standpoint.  If the barrels were totally random all the time, the game wouldnt have as much of a learning to it as it does now.  Its like a fighting game, when you can get past the special moves, and really get into the hit boxes, counters, timing, linking etc.  Its like a whole nother game.  At first you think its just running and jumping, but as you progress, get better and more intimate with the game, you realize its about barrel control, screen positioning (rivet and pie levels) and timing (elevators).  Running and jumping fades away to childs play.  Playing DK with all those elements, barrel control included, provides another game for the hardcore player, the one that is willing to go beyond playing it 5 times and moving on to the next.  It provides depth, complexity, and gameplay at a totally higher level than the game first makes noticeable.

Maybe thats by accident or unintended, but its done so well, hell its still a "popular" game today in the retro sense, it seems to have to be by design.

[Epyx]

Question,

If you have an original DK board is that enough to play officially (or any other game board for that matter) in TG...or do you require the cab as well?  I noticed in King of Kong, Weibe played DK in a DKjr cab (albeit just artwork difference)...could this also apply to scratch builds if you are using actual hardware?

[massive88]

Question,

If you have an original DK board is that enough to play officially (or any other game board for that matter) in TG...or do you require the cab as well?  I noticed in King of Kong, Weibe played DK in a DKjr cab (albeit just artwork difference)...could this also apply to scratch builds if you are using actual hardware?

They came to inspect his board as I recall, so I imagine that's the important part.

[Ginsu Victim]

Question,

If you have an original DK board is that enough to play officially (or any other game board for that matter) in TG...or do you require the cab as well?  I noticed in King of Kong, Weibe played DK in a DKjr cab (albeit just artwork difference)...could this also apply to scratch builds if you are using actual hardware?

They came to inspect his board as I recall, so I imagine that's the important part.

They inspected his board because he was using a Double Donkey Kong board, which isn't allowed.

Also, according to the rules:
•    The joystick itself MUST be an original stock 4-way Donkey Kong arcade joystick, or a replacement 4-way joystick of exact size and shape as the original Donkey Kong arcade game joystick.

•    Flip the control panel upside down to record the underside of it.  You may operate the camera manually, allowing you to zoom in on details of the control panel.  Show the single bundle of wires going to the control panel.  While moving the joystick in a SLOW circular motion, record the underside of the joystick showing the restrictor plate in action as well as the 4-direction actuators.

[Epyx]

Ah cool thanks Ginsu.

[CrazyKongFan]

If you're naming them the same as in MAME, it's actually set 1 (set 2 is the older one that only says "Nintendo" instead of "Nintendo of America" on the title screen and has the ladder cheat where you can sit at the top of the ladder and the barrels won't come down on you). There's alot more to it than just showing the joystick. They used to require it be done live in front of a TG senior ref. At least they dropped that rule. They did make it pretty strict though. Here's a link to the current requirements:
http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=19&id=1905

[Ginsu Victim]

I know there are more requirements. I was just pointing out two of them that makes tossing it in most generic cabs a problem.

[Epyx]

Ya...there are a lot more requirements. Just saw the full list...holy crap just filming yourself you have to go through 101 steps.  Cables, original joystick, original power supply etc...so ya pretty much need a real cab.

I was more thinking for games I am actually ok at like Black Tiger but same rules would apply albeit a generic Jamma cab with the complete Black Tiger kit etc etc.

[massive88]

Ya...there are a lot more requirements. Just saw the full list...holy crap just filming yourself you have to go through 101 steps.  Cables, original joystick, original power supply etc...so ya pretty much need a real cab.

I was more thinking for games I am actually ok at like Black Tiger but same rules would apply albeit a generic Jamma cab with the complete Black Tiger kit etc etc.

TG also keeps mame records I think, might be easier to go that route if you want to aim at a high score.

[Ginsu Victim]

TG also keeps mame records I think

Yes, they do.

[javeryh]

I HATE that I learned about that point pressing video.  Now I try it on the first level like ever time to try and squeeze an extra 2,500 points but probably 75% of the time I end up dying and have to start over.  Not fun.  Especially when my pattern on the second level doesn't work and I end up with only 11,000 points after two screens.

 

[Epyx]

TG also keeps mame records I think, might be easier to go that route if you want to aim at a high score.

Ya but that's nowhere near the same coolness factor  

@Javeryh

Where are you at high score wise now?

[javeryh]

I'm still stuck at 125,600.

[javeryh]

I'm still stuck at 125,600.

Not anymore!!!  131,000 about 5 minutes ago.  3 insanely stupid deaths too.  I can do better.

[Epyx]

Not anymore!!!  131,000 about 5 minutes ago.  3 insanely stupid deaths too.  I can do better.

Lol grats! 

That is about 100,000 more than I was able to get...can't wait to start playing it again.

[Ginsu Victim]

Not anymore!!!  131,000 about 5 minutes ago.  3 insanely stupid deaths too.  I can do better.

Lol grats! 

That is about 100,000 more than I was able to get...can't wait to start playing it again.

I suck at DK. 28,000 is my high.

[Epyx]

I suck at DK. 28,000 is my high.

You got me beat!

[javeryh]

Not anymore!!!  131,000 about 5 minutes ago.  3 insanely stupid deaths too.  I can do better.

Lol grats! 

That is about 100,000 more than I was able to get...can't wait to start playing it again.

I'm definitely getting better at the first level and controlling the barrels.  I'm getting about 7,500 points consistently on the first level now and it is kind of fun to be daring there when it doesn't matter as much if you die.  I think I'll be able to up my score too - I have been successful on my last 3 attempts to get past the 3rd elevator stage which means I'm figuring it out and not relying on luck as much.  Once you start practicing your score will shoot up.   

[javeryh]

I'm still stuck at 125,600.

Not anymore!!!  131,000 about 5 minutes ago.  3 insanely stupid deaths too.  I can do better.

132,600 now. 3 more insanely stupid deaths.  One was because the phone rang and I had to answer it.  Another was because I couldn't make a smooth transition up a ladder (I pressed 'up' too soon).  I can do better.

[javeryh]

I'm still stuck at 125,600.

Not anymore!!!  131,000 about 5 minutes ago.  3 insanely stupid deaths too.  I can do better.

132,600 now. 3 more insanely stupid deaths.  One was because the phone rang and I had to answer it.  Another was because I couldn't make a smooth transition up a ladder (I pressed 'up' too soon).  I can do better.

157,200!!!!

[Ginsu Victim]

Go, James, go!

[javeryh]

Go, James, go!

177,000!!!  I lost THREE guys on the last board I played.  So annoying!  I thought I had 200K for sure!!!

[sk8ersublime]

nice! I havent played in a while.  Im moving on friday so Ill be moving my cab to my place too and hopefully ill get a lot of good play time in

[Paul Olson]

That is usually the way my games end. I think my mind starts wandering after about 150k these days.

[RobbyMac]

Finally broke 100k today. One small step compared to byoac, one giant leap for Robby kind. Went into 3rd elevators with 4 lives, lost 3 but actually made it past. That's the first time ever, and I have no idea what I did differently. I'd tried countless times to use that 3rd elevator guide posted earlier, and always unsuccessful until today. Am I right in thinking thats a big hurdle? that once you get past it, it pretty much stays the same difficulty for the rest of the game?

[javeryh]

Finally broke 100k today. One small step compared to byoac, one giant leap for Robby kind. Went into 3rd elevators with 4 lives, lost 3 but actually made it past. That's the first time ever, and I have no idea what I did differently. I'd tried countless times to use that 3rd elevator guide posted earlier, and always unsuccessful until today. Am I right in thinking thats a big hurdle? that once you get past it, it pretty much stays the same difficulty for the rest of the game?

Yes - that stage is the same for the rest of the game.  I still have problems with it but I make it past about 75% of the time.  That guide works every time as long as two of the "far right springs" don't come out in a row (the second one will get you going up the last ladder).  The experts have apparently taught themselves to watch the springs while moving Mario and if the next spring is another one to the far right they can quickly move Mario back into the safe spot.  I have not even attempted to do this which is why my success rate is only about 75%.

I had 145,000 and ALL of my guys left when the wife wanted to leave for Easter dinner yesterday - I wanted 10 more minutes to finish up but the little argument broke my concentration and I lost all of my men on that stage.

[javeryh]

222,600!  What up 200K club???

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

I watched billy mitchell play ms. pac man (i contest he was hitting on my wife by showing her the moves) for a while a the afore  mentioned CGE2k4 and he was trying to explain how he was controlling the ghosts and he knew everywhere he could hang out and just not die..so he could hit on my wife etc. 

I remember at first thinking how cool that was..but...that would totally make my favorite game of all time NOT fun anymore.

I mean...I tried to copy his moves..but couldn't get it the way he did. 

at the end of the day, i'm still with my wife, and still not that great at Ms Pac man.

Excuse my saying so, but that is pure comedy gold right there. I sincerely hope he tried to give her an autograph.

[javeryh]

The proof.

[Epyx]

The proof.

I keep meaning to get to playing this with a bit more determination but so many other games!

Isn't this just the epitome of what makes these classics we all love so awesome...seeing the gradual progression of skill that is absent from so many of the games today.

[Malenko]

grats on the 200k, I think I might start playing again , see if I can crack the 100k club

[Bender]

222,600!  What up 200K club???

Let me know when you get over 300k

[javeryh]

The proof.

I keep meaning to get to playing this with a bit more determination but so many other games!

Isn't this just the epitome of what makes these classics we all love so awesome...seeing the gradual progression of skill that is absent from so many of the games today.

This is a game that I really really liked before getting the cab up and running and now that I've gotten into it I LOVE it.  It is absolutely perfect in its design (whether by accident I'm not so sure but it wouldn't surprise me).  Give it a shot - it is a game that you can definitely get better at with practice.  I'm having a lot of fun.

grats on the 200k, I think I might start playing again , see if I can crack the 100k club

Do it!  Looking back to only a few months ago I thought 100,000 was next to impossible to get and now I can get over 100,000 pretty easily.

222,600!  What up 200K club???

Let me know when you get over 300k

 

I will get there eventually!!!

[HanoiBoi]

Congratulations Javeryh!  I know you've been tackling this game for some time. 

[Bender]

Jav, once you get past the 4th elevator board consistently you'll get there in no time