Steve Wiebe, the protagonist of the documentary The King of Kong, famous for his pursuit of Donkey Kong's all-time record, will be enshrined alongside the game's creator with the first class inducted by the International Video Games Hall of Fame.


Wiebe, an algebra teacher in Kirkland, Wash., is currently the holder of the No. 3 points record for Donkey Kong and is No. 2 all-time for Donkey Kong Jr., having held the No. 1 position for that game twice.

He will be honored along with Nolan Bushnell, the creator of Pong, famed Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto, and adversary Billy Mitchell, when the Hall of Fame inducts its first class at a gala celebration this August in Ottumwa, Iowa.


Wiebe's induction is notable considering not only his rivalry with Mitchell, but also his relationship with Twin Galaxies, the international high-score certification authority, which began as an arcade in the city's downtown back in the 1980s. That history is key to Ottumwa's claim as the "Video Games Capital of the World."

In The King of Kong, a dispute over the legitimacy of videotaped high score attempts ends with Twin Galaxies proclaiming Mitchell still the all-time Donkey Kong high score holder, though Wiebe would go on to later set the game's world record, with Twin Galaxies' blessing. The mark is now held by another man, Hank Chien of New York.

The inaugural celebration of the International Video Games Hall of Fame will be held Aug. 5 to Aug. 8 in Ottumwa, Iowa, and will include induction ceremonies, LAN gaming, tournaments, historical displays and guest speakers.

Steve Wiebe To Be Honored By Video Game Hall Of Fame