Ok, I'll say it. If you are an average gamer it's impossible to make an impact on Donkey Kong if you are just starting out.
Now if you want a cool group to associate, by all means play this game. But the average gamer needs to understand that people have been playing this game seriously almost every day before they came on the scene.
For the average gamer looking to actually make an impact on the gaming scene I would suggest playing almost any other game except Tetris, and Super Mario bros.
I personally consider myself a slightly above average gamer, but I know that I probably am too far behind to even think about b having a good enough score to qualify for the Kong Off.
To make an analogy, Donkey Kong is a mountain known to have gold, but one with a ton of miners mining for a dwindling supply of gold.
The smart miner would realize the real money to be made is in the silver, and copper mountains.
So if you're an average gamer looking to make an impact I would suggest something like Ms. Pac-man, Berzerk, Mario Bros. Super punchout, Donkey Kong Junior, 1942, Galaga, Frogger, and Crazy Kong.
Also don't wait to long to start playing another game because games like Donkey Kong Junior, Mario bros. Crazy Kong are also starting to ramp up in competition.