100K in Donkey Kong Finally!

paulliadis

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I've been playing seriously for a month now, and just last night on my first game of the night I finally got to 100K on Donkey Kong. In fact, I upped my high score to 113,300. In the grand scheme of things I know it isn't that great of a score. However, it gives me hope that I am improving.

In the game last night, I made it past the infamous elevator level for the second time ever. This time, though, I still had 2 jumpmen in reserve. Also in my favor, I've gotten better at controlling barrels.

The ultimate goal is a kill screen. It's far fetched, for sure. Still, goals and dreams are what makes playing fun, right?

I'm so happy I feel like I could run headfirst through a brick wall.
 

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A KS is not far fetched and will require a higher degree of consistency through repeated playing (as well as some degree of luck at times).

Great job!
 
Good job. By the time you finish the 5th level, which is probably right where you are at, you have seen everything in the game. It doesn't get any harder than that, so you just need stay focused. Now that thee are videos of great players available, you can quickly learn some of the complicated jumps you will need to master. Also, on the 3rd elevators and the rest, there is zero luck involved. It is just training yourself to watch for the next spring, and disciplining yourself to turn around when you need to. That takes a lot of practice, but once you figure it out, that is the safest board in the game. I really need to start playing DK again, it has been way too long, :)
 
Good job. By the time you finish the 5th level, which is probably right where you are at, you have seen everything in the game. It doesn't get any harder than that, so you just need stay focused. Now that thee are videos of great players available, you can quickly learn some of the complicated jumps you will need to master. Also, on the 3rd elevators and the rest, there is zero luck involved. It is just training yourself to watch for the next spring, and disciplining yourself to turn around when you need to. That takes a lot of practice, but once you figure it out, that is the safest board in the game. I really need to start playing DK again, it has been way too long, :)

The videos are a tremendous help for sure. I've really learned a lot from them.

My biggest problem with the springs, I think, was over thinking it. Last night, I got to the top, moved over to the safe spot, and went for it when it was time. In the past I would retreat when I didn't have to and get caught by a spring. Sometimes I think my brain is my worst enemy!
 
Nice work! Once I figured out the third elevators, my score started going up regularly. It now stands at 270k. Next stop 300k. I'd love to get to a KS too, seems like a lofty goal, but imagine the bragging rights and feeling of accomplishment then. :)
 
The videos are a tremendous help for sure. I've really learned a lot from them.

My biggest problem with the springs, I think, was over thinking it. Last night, I got to the top, moved over to the safe spot, and went for it when it was time. In the past I would retreat when I didn't have to and get caught by a spring. Sometimes I think my brain is my worst enemy!

Check some of the member written guides here: http://www.coinopspace.com/group/donkeykongfans

That should give you a pretty good understanding of when you need to retreat. It is a hard thing to train your brain to do, but once you get it down, it is really an easy board.
 
Great job!

I'm stuck at 90,000-something; I'm going to start watching the videos. :cool:
 
Congratulations!

My current high is 174k after sitting at 129k for about 5 months, i broke my high score 3x's in 2 days last week which felt great. I hope to get to that point to where my games last forever and scores above 500k.

Im getting alot better at the 3rd elevator however i still dont pay attention to watching for 2 in a row to where you have to retreat. This is crucial IMO to push even close to 200k. I definately need to work on this.

Also ive lately learning to point press on the barrel stages. I would finish board one usually around low 5k and rarely 6k. I am now grabbing the bottom hammer and smashing everything in sight. I now finish that level around 7500-8k.

I try to have a 16k by end of board #2 with all 3 lives. I lose most of my lives on the pie stage and the elevator stages.
 
Congratulations!

My current high is 174k after sitting at 129k for about 5 months, i broke my high score 3x's in 2 days last week which felt great. I hope to get to that point to where my games last forever and scores above 500k.

Im getting alot better at the 3rd elevator however i still dont pay attention to watching for 2 in a row to where you have to retreat. This is crucial IMO to push even close to 200k. I definately need to work on this.

Also ive lately learning to point press on the barrel stages. I would finish board one usually around low 5k and rarely 6k. I am now grabbing the bottom hammer and smashing everything in sight. I now finish that level around 7500-8k.

I try to have a 16k by end of board #2 with all 3 lives. I lose most of my lives on the pie stage and the elevator stages.

First of all, that's perseverance! Good on you for sticking with it. 174K is a good score for sure.

I don't mess with point pressing the first few barrel stages. That first board depends greatly on how many points the game give you for smashing the blue barrel. If I get 800 on that, I can easily top 6k with only using the top hammer.

I do plan on getting more fancy starting on Level 4 barrels, because the barrels are more likely to respond to control from that point on.
 
Thanks everybody. I have seen that group on coinopspace.com. Good stuff there for sure.

Way-ta-go Paul! I knew you'd do it. That was the first plateau for me. Right now, my high is 276,000 and I sort of expect my game to be in the low 200's now. I bet you'll be there too in another week or so.

One key for me has been to learn how to avoid the wild barrels. I know there has to be a lot more than I've figured out, but watching Kong's actions when I'm near the top and controlling barrels when I'm on the 3rd girder with more diligence has been really helping.

When you get above 140,000 points, you'll be on tougher rivet levels. The fireballs are a lot more aggressive and move a lot faster. I'm learning to cope better, but again I have a lot to learn.

The pies (conveyors) have been tough on me at times, but I'm finding more ways to handle fireballs when they come down in bunches after left side fakes.

My single biggest issue may be unforced errors. My mind tends to wander and then I do something really dumb. Pac-Man spoiled me--I could go on mental auto pilot at the 9th key and dream of being stranded on an island with Cindy Crawford. Donkey Kong requires that you take in almost every visual input that you can.

PS: I highly recommend the installation of the high score save kit.
 
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Way-ta-go Paul! I knew you'd do it. That was the first plateau for me. Right now, my high is 276,000 and I sort of expect my game to be in the low 200's now. I bet you'll be there too in another week or so.

One key for me has been to learn how to avoid the wild barrels. I know there has to be a lot more than I've figured out, but watching Kong's actions when I'm near the top and controlling barrels when I'm on the 3rd girder with more diligence has been really helping.

When you get above 140,000 points, you'll be on tougher rivet levels. The fireballs are a lot more aggressive and move a lot faster. I'm learning to cope better, but again I have a lot to learn.

The pies (conveyors) have been tough on me at times, but I'm finding more ways to handle them when they don't cooperate with left side fakes.

My single biggest issue may be unforced errors. My mind tends to wander and then I do something really dumb. Pac-Man spoiled me--I could go on mental auto pilot at the 9th key and dream of being stranded on an island with Cindy Crawford. Donkey Kong requires that you take in almost every visual input that you can.

PS: I highly recommend the installation of the high score save kit.

Thanks!

I did notice the fireballs becoming more aggressive on level 5. I think I lost a life here.

I'd like to someday get a Pac-Man machine so I can experience this mental auto pilot you speak of. Sounds nice. :)

I do plan on picking up the high score save kit. I'll probably ask for it for my birthday in May. What with two young kids at home I hate spending money on myself. Birthday will give me the excuse!
 
Nice score Paul! Glad you hit 100K. 200K is easy once you get past 86K. You'll have two more elevators, but you'll get the timing down better and be able to handle more. I'm at the point I can clear 200K but I am still short of my HS of 300K. I still can't train myself to retreat properly!
 
I have been playing regularly lately in MAME. Right now I'm stuck in the 80k region because I have been making stupid mistakes. I've broken 100k a few times in the past. I need to get more consistent. I'm just now starting to get the hang of manipulating the barrels. I need to practice more but I dont' always have a lot of time for it.
 
I have been playing regularly lately in MAME. Right now I'm stuck in the 80k region because I have been making stupid mistakes. I've broken 100k a few times in the past. I need to get more consistent. I'm just now starting to get the hang of manipulating the barrels. I need to practice more but I dont' always have a lot of time for it.

Are you playing using a joystick or the arrow keys. Because I'd imagine controlling barrels with the arrow keys would be really difficult. Either way, keep with it. I've only broken 100k once so far, but I took a pic to prove it! :)
 
Since i am now point pressing the barrel boards and trying new techniques i have erased my high scores 2 to 5 to measure my success. High score so far is a measly 77k in the past 2 days but i usually screw off if i die on the first or 2nd barrel board.

My goal is to have consistently 100k before the 3rd elevator. If i dont die I can usually pump out 16k-18k on the first 2 boards.
 
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