Presented for your information and adulation: the official top 20 Donkey Kong scores, as tracked/verified by Twin Galaxies International (from 1982-present), with other scores adjudicated by the community of experts and top players at Donkey Kong Forum (since 2013).
If you're coming in "off the street"—perhaps from a Google search after a viewing of The King of Kong—the first thing to know is that a great deal has changed since the movie, which was shot a full decade ago, and whose release ushered in a new and extremely competitive playing field.
Neither Steve Wiebe nor Billy Mitchell hold the Donkey Kong world record anymore, though both are still highly revered. Wiebe remains active and a serious force to be reckoned with, particularly in live events like the Kong Offs. While he has not had the time or inclination to pursue a new high score since 2010, most of today's top players agree that Wiebe has the potential to increase his score significantly. Mitchell, on the other hand, is no longer competing.
In 2010, the world record was taken by Dr. Hank Chien, a plastic surgeon from New York City. Mitchell reclaimed it that year, with Wiebe then taking it from Mitchell, but Chien soon beat both and held the record for almost four years (and through a couple of very close calls) until he was finally dethroned by Robbie Lakeman in September 2014. Lakeman then found a competitor in Wes Copeland, with the two trading the title back and forth over the next several years before newcomer John McCurdy achieved the top score in March 2019.
The "Billy vs. Steve" era is now history. The movie brought hundreds of new competitors to the game from all over the world (even Eminem!). Brilliant, talented "next generation" players like Chien, Dean Saglio, Ross Benziger, Vincent Lemay, Robbie Lakeman, Jeff Willms, and Wes Copeland have risen to the top.
This list is only the top 20 out of hundreds of players ranked on the Donkey Kong Forum High Score List. Click to see the whole list, if you would like to submit a score, or to join us in one of our regular online tournaments.
This leaderboard was last maintained on January 11th, 2021.
 | The World Record |
| 1,272,700 | John McCurdy | 1/11/2021 |
| # | Score | Player | Date | Platform | Ref |
| 2 | 1,271,100 | Robbie Lakeman | 9/22/2020 |  |  |
| 3 | 1,218,000 | Wes Copeland | 5/5/2016 | | |
| 4 | 1,206,900 | Justin Elliott | 10/11/2020 |  | |
| 5 | 1,206,800 | Dean Saglio | 10/4/2013 | | |
| 6 | 1,166,700 | J.P. Buergers | 2/23/2020 | |  |
| 7 | 1,143,100 | Jason Wade | 5/7/2017 | | |
| 8 | 1,159,400 | "ACU-AZU" | 8/17/2020 | | |
| 9 | 1,142,700 | Phil Tudose | 2/5/2019 | | |
| 10 | 1,138,600 | Hank Chien | 11/1/2012 | | |
| 11 | 1,138,500 | Matt Tecchio | 10/25/2020 | | |
| 12 | 1,137,900 | Andrew Barrow | 8/24/2020 | | |
| 13 | 1,137,500 | Mark Kiehl | 9/23/2014 | | |
| 14 | 1,136,500 | Ross Benziger | 9/26/2013 | | |
| 15 | 1,135,900 | Vincent Lemay | 1/11/2013 | | |
| 16 | 1,132,400 | Thomas Bauer | 3/9/2020 | | |
| 17 | 1,129,700 | Jeff Wolfe | 2/8/2020 | | |
| 18 | 1,116,400 | Tanner Fokkens | 7/18/2019 | | |
| 19 | 1,110,000 | Steve Wiltshire | 8/8/2015 | | |
| 20 | 1,108,100 | Dave McCrary | 10/10/2015 | | |
A note on world records: The Donkey Kong world record as it is known and recognized by Twin Galaxies, Guinness, other score-trackers, the media, the general public, and purists/traditionalists can only be set on a 1981 arcade machine with a (four-way) joystick. Hence, John McCurdy is and will remain the reigning world champion unless and until he is beaten on the original hardware. This will be the case even if another player pushes the MAME Arcade Machine Emulator score higher than Lakeman's arcade score.
Some maintain an alternate view that since the game is emulated 100% accurately on MAME, the record should be whatever the highest score is, irrespective of platform. From 2009 until 2016, Dean Saglio held a MAME score that was higher than the arcade score, and many considered him the champ.
Without delving into the particulars of the debate, let it be sufficient to note that there were strong cases for both positions. But with Wes Copeland finally taking the high score from Dean Saglio in 2016, followed by subsequent higher scores from Robbie Lakeman and John McCurdy, the point is now moot.
So does this mean Dean Saglio can beat Steve, Billy and Hank?
ReplyDeleteim just glad that billy doesnt hold the donkey kong record. more over, that he is now in third hahahahahaahahahaha
ReplyDeleteI love comments that are little windows into a past time like this one. In the last 11 years, the current crop of record holders have made it so that Steve Wiebe (and Billy, but he’s a cheat) is no longer in the top 20.
DeleteWhenever twingalaxies gets back up. Ill then be able to send in my donkey kong arcade score to be in the top 20! They've been down probably two weeks so I hope it's nothing bad.
ReplyDeleteNice job, Joseph! I Googled you. Looks like you've been working on this for a couple of years now. Did you manage to kill-screen the game?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Eminem story!
ReplyDeleteHaha billy is third, billy ant the best no more.
ReplyDeleteThink billy needs to practice more. Maybe get some glasses to
Help him in his old age
Interesting fact: NES Tetris scores are highly analagous to DK scores. This post is correct in calling DK the most competitive top 10 in gaming... but we are coming up :)
ReplyDeletehttp://tetrisconcept.net/forum/showthread.html?t=1918
Billy will be always the dk champion. he did it back in '82, without internet, guides, etc. and at the same time he held world records in major games like centipede, burger time, pacman...
ReplyDeleteBilly is a fucking piece of shit and a total pussy.
DeleteId like to fill Billies shampoo bottle with Nair and give him a cure for that mullet mop.
DeleteDid Billy hold a record for scheming and espionage. Kind of like the Richard NIxon of DK. Give me a break... Sending his minions to break and enter a home to investigate an arcade game? F/N baby
DeleteAgreed. In the future, I am going to write on that topic. Not only did Billy have DK nailed literally decades before anybody else (and in a total information vacuum), he was 17 years old when he did it! Love him or hate him, he's phenomenal.
ReplyDeleteHate him
DeleteIve had my machine since May and Im in the 480,000 range for my high score. For you experienced players, is this decent progression?
ReplyDeleteWould like to see some south african players in the top 20 I'm well on my way with a score 490,600
ReplyDeleteChrispy raises a good point of interest...is MItchell the youngest verified kill-screener in DK, or has someone done so before the age of 17 ?
ReplyDeleteRobert T Mruczek
Former Twin Galaxies chief referee
Star Wars classic arcade marathin champion
After another viewing of King of Kong just then, I literally could not be happier to see Hank S Chien as current arcade champ-
ReplyDeleteSincerest congratualations to him, and sincerest congratulations to that other champion in 2nd place- ecstatic you're sitting above that narcissistic oxygen thief!
There should be a separate category for Live Kong records. Wiebe for President.
ReplyDeletePlease have respect for the original players like Billy. They made their scores at a time when everone was playing the game and not a handful like today. Basically people like Billy beat all comers
ReplyDeleteI don't respect cocksuckers lying cocksuckers like old bill.
DeletePlease acknowledge that obnoxious, self glorification of one's own self is offensive to all others,regardless of a played up or played down verbal delivery, and for that reason alone, cannot, and should not, be praised, heralded or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThis applies then, and this applies now.
Great people are known as that only by way of the profession's of others.
I never knew how people can score so high on arcade game machines. I once spent a few hours playing a game and I still did not win, nor did I get any kind of high score. You guys are awesome to have such a score!
ReplyDeleteI never turned my score in to Twin, looks like they are really going downhill. Robert was a great person to have on there team and it's showing that the fall of this empire has come. I heard right when I was getting my dvd ready to send in they were only accepting top scores only. I haven't really played in months. Way to take the fun out the game twin galaxies.
ReplyDeleteBilly L Mitchell suck my dick
ReplyDeleteHere here!
ReplyDeleteTo all "Billy haters", I totally sympathize with your view of him. And watching "King of Kong", Billy Mitchell came off as being super arrogant, petty, childish and downright ignorant.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I hear from not only one source, that he and Steve Wiebe are good friends IRL. Is this true, and if it is, did this come to be after the documentary was made or before?.. does this change what we saw in the film? Possibly!
This of course brings the objectivity of the documentary into play.
All I'm saying is this: Watching the film, I thought Billy was an asshole, but now I'm not so sure.
I do know a few pro gamers (and wannabe pros), who many of you would regard as being just that; assholes, and you might very well be right! is Billy one of these?.. maybe. Can we be sure?.. no!
Twin Galaxies is back online! Sweet!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it has been posted before...but why arent the two scores that was on the show fistful of qtrs on this list for mitchell and weebe?
ReplyDeleteI have a quick question i have a 60 in 1 arcade machine it has a small computer chip that runs 60 games would this be consider a MAME style of play even though it has a the classic arcade conrtols and body style? thnx also ive been playing since march 7th 2013 and my best score is 214,600 on lvl 7 is that good
ReplyDeleteThe two questions after Dennis...
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 1: Twin Galaxies only allows one score per player. As soon as you beat one of your previous scores, the old one is replaced with the new one. Billy and Steve have both beaten the scores they achieved in the movie.
Anonymous 2: Unfortunately, 60-in-1 boards are not (currently) accepted by Twin Galaxies for Donkey Kong scores. However, the rules for DK are "in limbo" right now, so that might change within the next few months. As for your 214,600 score, it's good, and it shows you have the potential to go a lot further in the game. If you have more questions about playing and recording for TG and in competitions, you'll be welcomed with open arms at The Donkey Kong Forum.
Thanks Chrispy i have gotten a score of 287,300 since then but ive been practicing point pressing and it is difficult. I live 35 minutes from Funspot and been playing there at least twice a week the original game has a better joystick then mine. They have a classic arcade tournement the first week of june from thursday to sunday i hope to see some top cuntenders there, steve weibe was there a month ago but i didnt get to see him he did a random pop in when he was on vacation with his family in maine. But i hope to get alot better by then but who knows thanks again and if anyone is going to funspot in june hit me up on this post my name is roger champagne and could always use some pointers from the pros.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to add Chrispy thnx for that forum has alot of helpful hints broken down then just watching youtube clips of world record videos. Thnx again :) ill record me playing in the next couple days and post it on youtube under donkey kong champagne.
ReplyDeletejust put up a score today at funspot of 397,900 with 2 deaths that should have never happend i was at 11.3 level and trust me when i say that damn game was not making nething easy. and yes it is the machine in the king of kong and there is no way brian kuh could have got a kill screen and only getting 545,000 point i wasnt point pressing and gettin alot of stages down to 3 to 400 bonus points left
ReplyDeleteBrian Kuh has never gotten a kill screen. Hes homless living I n Laconia
ReplyDeleteyea i heard that just yesterday when i was at funspot, someone said even funspot fired him lol.. how can u retire at 30 with no money lol. More like retarted at 30. Maybe if he got a KS he would have been rich and famous
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, J'lo!
ReplyDeleteBilly mitchell is such a pussy
ReplyDeleteBilly Mitchell has already done what everyone else is trying to emulate. Everyone after Mitchell is a poser!
ReplyDeleteBilly Mitchell is the world champion at being a complete ****wit!
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the King of Kong, it's come to my attention that Steve Wiebe is the only person on the documentary that has had sex with a woman.
ReplyDeleteBilly, your hot sauce tastes like Donkey Kongs jizz!
ReplyDeletewow
ReplyDeleteHey look above at the escort service thumbnail...It's Billy Mitchell's wife!! minus about 30 years and a penis.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the scores list...I'd rather see a straight list of the top scores and owner not really a list of top scores by individual. To see how close the scores are and multiple scores placed in the top 20 would be interesting.
I have to say that after watching that movie a few years ago, I wanted an actual Donkey Kong machine. Since that movie, the prices of such original hardware has steadily increased in price. Actually, retro gaming for even old consoles has increased in value and I think "King of Kong", Twin Galaxies and Guiness Book Gamers Addition has been the source. I purchased an amazing Donkey Kong machine over 1.5 years ago and left it at my sisters who dwells 800kms away...I finally got it into my garage 2 weeks ago and tried it last night...on Mame I've broken 90,000 on this machine haven't broken 50,000 yet. Lots to practice here.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Don't pick on Billy Mitchell, it's a massive blow when considered an arcade god for 25 years then slated another mortal. He is still one of the greatest gamers of all time and that should be respected.
cheers,
SEADRIVE
In 1983, I and many others witnessed my friend Henri Lony reaching level 22 with 3 lives left.
ReplyDeleteI do not remember his score but it was over a million. (In my memory he reached level 23 but everybody says that is impossible so it must have been level 22)
This happened in Tilburg, Netherlands(gameroom: 26).
In my oppinion he still holds the World record.
He never played the game again because of disappointment of this death level.
You are welcome :)
ReplyDeleteback in the 80's use to play the game till kill screen on original machine.then by accident found a way past it so just carried on playing,got monies worth for 10 pence!!
ReplyDeleteYou can't say you found a way past kill screen and not divulge any details about how to do that...
ReplyDeleteall good as long as Wiebe is better than MItchell ^^
ReplyDeleteBilly Mitchell is a stud. The documentary was edited in such a way as to make him the villain. Did he make a few poor choices? Yes. Did Steve Weibe ignore his family and children for long stretches of time to pursue a foolish dream? Yes. Somehow we all love Steve and hate Billy. To do so is ignorant of reality. Until the movie was released, Billy Mitchell was a friend to the friendless and many, many people lived vicariously through him. My gut feeling is: he still is, and they still do.
ReplyDeleteBTW, order his wing sauces! Damn good stuff!
Those are some high scores!
ReplyDeleteBilly Mitchell is a jerk
ReplyDeleteWho cares if you're a the master of anything if you're an unpleasant person. I used to think ego and unpleasantness only existed in professional high-profile sports. Then, I saw King of Kong and thought that it may exist in other spheres but had doubts as I thought it the movie might have been a matter of spin and slanted editing. Then, I met Billy in person and I realized, unbelievable assholes, who are almost self parodies, actually exist in every niche sphere in the world. Billy Mitchell was once the king of the dumbest kingdom. Now, he's not even that.
ReplyDeleteforever live clasic games!!!
ReplyDeleteWho cares if you're a the master of anything if you're an unpleasant person. I used to think ego and unpleasantness only existed in professional high-profile sports. Then, I saw King of Kong and thought that it may exist in other spheres but had doubts as I thought it the movie might have been a matter of spin and slanted editing. Then, I met Billy in person and I realized, unbelievable assholes, who are almost self parodies, actually exist in every niche sphere in the world. Billy Mitchell was once the king of the dumbest kingdom. Now, he's not even that.
ReplyDeleteCan You Please Upgrade Dave McCrary. allen.
ReplyDeleteBilly Mitchell, what a unpleasant guy.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when did he do a public record last time?
Just for the record, Billy Mitchell is not a great gamer. He was at the Life magazine event in 82 but LOST. He has never won a tournament in his career, and placed dead last in the latest Kong Off. In fact even the idea that he held the record for Donkey Kong when the movie was made is just plain made up.
ReplyDeleteBilly and Walter are great at making stuff up. They've been doing it for years. It's just utterly laughable that Walter can call himself and impartial judge of anything. He's been Billy's bitch since the mid 80's.
OMG, thank you Anonymous from Dec'13.... Billy is the biggest cheater of the dumbest kingdom. I just saw King of Kong and it made me sad for humanity. It's a great movie in that it's a reflection on politics and humanity. Confident assholes can unfortunately win over skill and knowledge with deception and being in the know. Sad, sad, sad....
ReplyDeleteD. Kong forever!
ReplyDeleteI've just seen that film and yes billy came over arrogant. Plums like that don't have real friends.
ReplyDeleteBilly Mitchell is a C**t! And Steve Weibe is a humble hero. I want to be like him when I grow up.
ReplyDeleteSteve Wiebe one position ahead of the douche. humble determination beats flashy arrogance. nice
ReplyDeletethis is the best documentary ever!
ReplyDeleteJust watched King of Kong. Billy Mitchell is the biggest douche in the Twin Galaxies!
ReplyDeleteOk you guys! Billy and Steve are both great retro gamers. I want to be like them both some day. I already got a pretty good score down on galaga and donkey kong im gonna keep practicing so I can get world records on both
ReplyDeleteBilly is an narcissistic monster! GOOOOOO STTEEEEVVVVEEE
ReplyDeleteIs Donkey Kong the one with the ghosts and round yellow guy?
ReplyDeleteNice Information! I personally really appreciate your article. This is a great website. I will make sure that I stop back again!.
ReplyDeletegaming keyboard
Fuck you cock sucker bill. Steve is God!!
ReplyDeleteUnless you name is Wiebe or Mitchell...people don't give a shit.
ReplyDeleteBilly Mitchel kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. The last in line kkkkkkkkkk
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to being the oh so great Red Barron Billy? you are a complete joke now and everything you waffled on about has been proven to be all talk, douche is every sense of the word. Praise Steve!
ReplyDeleteGo away Roxxy......
ReplyDeleteAnd Bill Mitchell's story to me seems like a story that people pass down for generations.
And Summoning Salt is awesome <3
You need to remove Bill Mitchell's score which was used on MAME. Mitchell has never achieved anything over 800,000 legitimately.
ReplyDeleteOk ok enough already! Now what's worse: the fact that Billy seemed unlikable or the way the mob of snowflake drones thinks it's ok to bully him and insult his wife. You're all a bunch of simpletons. I too was really wound up to see villqiv Billy taken down but then I see the mob and now I hate humanity more for these sorts of over reactions and psycho behavior.
ReplyDeleteThen the YouTube justice warriors making a name off Billy Mitchell. Fact Billy made himself a household name by hook or crook and none of you will improve your lives by saying Billy is unlikable. Get a fooking life.
retro comedy never dies
ReplyDeleted0nk3y d1k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMcCurdy the turdy
ReplyDelete