I finally watched some of Wiebe's '09 play....

[Gray_Area]

I got up to 23:15, he was at level 7 already, fast play. Overall, not the kinds of point pressing I had imagined.

Some things after level 4 surprised me, but it was interesting to see him do a lot of things in the first four levels that I've heard about or that I figured out myself. I used to shoot righ through the pies, but found I got more points by sticking around and getting the bottom hammer and stuff. Wiebe just goes right through the board. I noticed the fireballs tended to end up on the left side, especially later on, and I wonder whether that's due to his immediate jump in place when the screen starts, or if MAME isn't accurate, because that pretty much assures 6000+ from the first pie board, onward.

Anyways, I haven't been playing games much lately, let alone played DK seriously in a bit, but this gives me some pause.

[DrChek]

The common technique on the pie level is to stay on the left side of the level until all the fireballs enter. Since the fireballs will enter on the side the player is on, the initial jump helps time it out. Once they are all out chances are good you can sail cleanly up the right side.

Also on later levels the BONUS timer counts down so quickly that you are better off finishing the level as quickly as you can instead of hanging around leeching points.

Here is a good link that describes all the standard techniques:
http://www.coinopspace.com/group/donkeykongfans/forum/topics/become-a-donkey-kong-master

Note: I just set a new personal best on DK last night - 204,000 

[RayB]

but this gives me some pause.

Why? I think experience is just as valuable as pure skill. He's using both.

[Gray_Area]

The common technique on the pie level is to stay on the left side of the level until all the fireballs enter. Since the fireballs will enter on the side the player is on, the initial jump helps time it out. Once they are all out chances are good you can sail cleanly up the right side.

Yeah, later on I remembered reading that the jump ensures they come out on the left side. Whether it does, I'll have to remember to do it. My best is 256k, and probably would've been a lot higher had I practiced that strategy.

but this gives me some pause.

Why? I think experience is just as valuable as pure skill. He's using both.

I meant, I'm starting to want to play again.