I made it over 200,000! Worried I'll reach a plateau...

[Realzach2001]

I've been steadily improving, seemingly mastering the elevator stage but suddenly having increasing difficulty with the pie factory and rivet stage.

Just scored 209,400 and the thought popped into my head: "what if I never achieve the kill screen? What if I Max out around 3 or 400,000 points? Has anyone been struggling in some point range and going mad?

I've convinced myself I'll likely never have a legitimate shot at any type of point pressing world record. I just want to beat all the levels.

Share your stories.

[Adam_Mon]

I got stuck in the 400/500k range for a while and then again in the 700/800k range without killscreening.
Its completley natrural and everyone hits a wall at some point, just keep playing and you'll push trough it,

[krehztim]

I'm kind of in the same boat.  I've hit 500k one time, but I'm usually between 250-400k.  I've never gotten a handle on wild barrels, though I'm getting better.  It's usually bad luck on rivets that does me in.  If you watch some of the insane point pressing done by the best in the world, you know how hard that is, and how much of a grind it is.  That takes a constant level of concentration I will never have.  So, I'm concentrating on being a little conservative - not worrying about the score, not worrying about the Bonus timer on non-rivet screens, not taking too many risks.  I just have to constantly remind myself - right now, points aren't the goal - finishing the level without dying is the goal.  Easier said than done. Good luck.

[Realzach2001]

Also, add how long you've been "stuck" in that place.

[krehztim]

I've been stuck in that place for about a year, though I probably don't play more than 5 games a month these days.  I was playing 4-5 times a week for the last year or so, and 400k seems to be my plateau right now.  Took a break to try my hand at Crazy Kong.  If you're playing on MAME, I find using save states to be really helpful, in learning barrel and fireball behavior and speed.

[homerwannabee]

The key to overcoming the plateau are two fold.  Mastering the elevators.  ALL elevator deaths are very obvious.  The second is not 1/16thing.  That's where you get killed on a level 5+ wild barrel.  Stop doing these things, and you will have drastic improvement.

[tudose]

keep going!

[krehztim]

Anyone want to share a thread on exactly what "1/16th-ing" is?  Thanks!

[stella_blue]

Anyone want to share a thread on exactly what "1/16th-ing" is?  Thanks!

When Kong releases a barrel, there is a 1 out of 16 chance that it will be a wild barrel.

The most common example of "getting 1/16thed" occurs when a player fails to pay attention to Kong's animation, recklessly climbs the short ladder closest to the top hammer, and has a wild barrel dropped on his/her head.

It's one reason why "Watch the monkey" is a frequently offered piece of advice.

[aarontruitt]

I got stuck in the 300's for a month or so then again in the 500-700's and then again in the 800's. The more consistently you play, the better you will get. Also be sure to watch great players run boards if you can. It's rare to see a top player just running boards, but I'm sure there are videos out there. The biggest key to the pies is patience. Also learn to get comfortable with the hammer (the bottom hammer...). It can really save you. As soon as I see I'm not getting a free pass, I immediately grab it.

[Shnypz]

Anyone want to share a thread on exactly what "1/16th-ing" is?  Thanks!

When Kong releases a barrel, there is a 1 out of 16 chance that it will be a wild barrel.

The most common example of "getting 1/16thed" occurs when a player fails to pay attention to Kong's animation, recklessly climbs the short ladder closest to the top hammer, and has a wild barrel dropped on his/her head.

It's one reason why "Watch the monkey" is a frequently offered piece of advice.

For clarity, when we are "watching the monkey", are we confirming that he's performing the "roll a barrel" animation and that's when it's safe to climb the ladder?

[Realzach2001]

My scores in the last two days have averaged around 100 k

I couldn't be angrier.

[aarontruitt]

Anyone want to share a thread on exactly what "1/16th-ing" is?  Thanks!

When Kong releases a barrel, there is a 1 out of 16 chance that it will be a wild barrel.

The most common example of "getting 1/16thed" occurs when a player fails to pay attention to Kong's animation, recklessly climbs the short ladder closest to the top hammer, and has a wild barrel dropped on his/her head.

It's one reason why "Watch the monkey" is a frequently offered piece of advice.

For clarity, when we are "watching the monkey", are we confirming that he's performing the "roll a barrel" animation and that's when it's safe to climb the ladder?

When Kong shows the barrel in his hands (in front of him) it is safe to climb. Before he shows you the barrel (like when he is turned to the left side of the screen reaching for one) he could still throw a wild barrel (there is a 1/16 chance he will throw a wild). "Watch the monkey" means wait for him to show you the barrel in between his legs.

Everyone has bad days - even Wes, Robbie, and Dean. Allen has bad days almost every day. Don't worry about being in a "slump." The day I kill screened I kill screened on my 2nd or 3rd quarter of the day and it was on a machine that I had never played before. There were days that I never made it to Level 05. Keep playing and don't forget to enjoy it!

[krehztim]

My scores in the last two days have averaged around 100 k

I couldn't be angrier.

Your thread got me playing again.  I had a 75k game in between a couple of 150-200k.  It's a HARD game, and it can be randomly cruel.

[ChrisP]

Everyone has bad days - even Wes, Robbie, and Dean. Allen has bad days almost every day.

The way I see it, everyone's day is almost always bad, which is what makes the one good day that you have every now and then so sweet. You will USUALLY miss your mark. Missing the mark day after day is part of what keeps you coming back. In fact, it's the MAIN thing that keeps you coming back. Punishment, punishment, punishment, punishment... reward. Whether you become conscious of it or not, that's what you're there for. You're asking for an elephant to stand on your foot, because you crave the pleasure of relief that will come when you push him off.

In other words, we're all masochists.