Is Billy Mitchell the best Arcade player of the 20th century.

[homerwannabee]

A thought occured to me.  Most of the top notch Arcade players really became super competitive in the 21st century.  But prior to the 21st century Billy Mitchell does have a great resume. 

So what say you? 

[WCopeland]

[TheSunshineFund]

Donald Hayes.

It's a broken link now but on his homepage you used to be able to see all his scores from the 80's.  It's not really close.  Then you take into account the fact that he broke the Centipede and Tron records right at the turn of the century, he certainly had the acumen well before.

[Fly]

No.

[marinomitch13]

I second Donald. He's got the skills and scores as well as the determination and nerves of steel.

[homerwannabee]

The problem with Donald Hayes is I don't think he has any verified scores from the 20th century.  Yeah what he has done in the 21st century builds up his claim, I am not going to give it to Word of mouth.

[TheSunshineFund]

The problem with Donald Hayes is I don't think he has any verified scores from the 20th century.  Yeah what he has done in the 21st century builds up his claim, I am not going to give it to Word of mouth.

I think word of mouth = scores from the Golden Era arcade operators though.

[timhett]

One thing I've been thinking about - comparing the old scoreboards and players with current players and boards may not be a fair comparison.  Rules about glitches and leeching have changed, as well as "stitched" scores which were allowed BITD but certainly not now.  Remember that shirt of Billy's - 20,000,001 centipede?  yeah, the record now is only 7,111,111.  That's because sidefeed trapping is no longer allowed.  How is one to compare actual skills?
I'd also vote for Donald.  I saw the scores that he used to have on his site and they were good even back then.  At the least I'd say that Billy was good, but possibly not the best and one of many really good players.  Ben Gold maybe if you need more verification?

[TheSunshineFund]

If the question is 'Who has the most impressive set of TG listed scores from the 20th century?'  That's different to me than asking who the best player is/was, especially considering how scores were reported back then.   Seriously, if you give me 1999 Donald Hayes and you take 1982 or 1983 Billy Mitchell in a wager on a random assortment of say a dozen games, I'm going home with all the moneys every time.  I like Billy, he's a very nice guy, but the smart money is on DBH.

Dwayne Richards has to be in this conversation as well.  I'd put him ahead of Billy I think as well.

[Rolledcigs]

To answer the original question- Yes.

[Ninglendo]

My vote goes for Calvin Frampton or Brian King 

[marky_d]

Calvin Frampton or Brian King 

[QAOP Spaceman]

Aren't we overlooking someone?

on  : "The Missile Command record is a super record, and his records are mediocre. One great record's worth twenty mediocre records, as far as I'm concerned."

If anyone has any doubts, this clinches it for me:

  "....and trackballs are a lot harder to control than a joystick. And there are 3 buttons."

 

[kalel]

its me   

[Milehighdt]

I have to go with the guy who collected the quarters from the machines. 1. open cab, 2. collect quarters, 3. add a few credits, 4. Play for max of 5 seconds to verify game works. 5. on to next machine. He was by far the greatest arcade player ever !! Kids would run from everywhere to see him work his magic.