Billy Mitchell's King of Kong Arcade in Orlando Florida

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Was traveling through the Orlando Airport on Monday so I decided to snap some pictures of Mr. Mitchell's personal arcade/tribute to his awesomeness.

It has a few machines and pins. Nothing even remotely classic or vintage. Lots of cranes and redemption machines.

Would be awesome if it was crammed full of classics, but I also know that wouldn't be the smartest business move considering that it's a place that'll be frequented by transient tourists waiting for their plane or just getting off it...so, no time to try to get a kill screen on Pac-Man or Donkey Kong. A few bucks trying to win an iPod out of the stacker machine seems like the smarter way to go.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/FrankieViturello/03b43c81.jpg
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http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/FrankieViturello/4fe27c54.jpg

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/FrankieViturello/fb02a6d7.jpg
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[VACRMH]

Yeah, I snapped a few pics myself waiting for our flight home after my honeymoon last year. I remember thinking "God, someone's just asking for a lawsuit" looking at the place, didn't know it was Mr. Mitchells own business.

Actually, when I tagged Steve Wiebe in one of the pictures on facebook, he asked me where the arcade was. Guess he didn't even know about it!

[portnoyd]

Who has the rights to King of Kong? Mitchell? If he doesn't and didn't get them and this is his arcade, mmmm, lawsuit.

[Baloo]

Is there even a Donkey Kong cabinet to be found in the arcade?

[tomwaits]

Maybe he's worried someone else might set a new DK world record in his arcade? :D


Nice product placement on the hot sauce too...

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Is there even a Donkey Kong cabinet to be found in the arcade?

No. Not a one. No joystick based cabinets at all. Just some pinballs, racing cabs and shooting cabs, all modern.

And I'd imagine that he's cleared usage on the movie stuff with Seth Gordon ... if not, lawsuit indeed.

[Berserker]

Am I the only one who's genuinely surprised that both pictures on the signs aren't Billy Mitchell?

[portnoyd]

Am I the only one who's genuinely surprised that both pictures on the signs aren't Billy Mitchell?

POTY candidate.

[Guy Bramsworth]

That's clearly Billy Mitchell on the left. Do you even know what he looks like? :P

[Melf]

Look up! It's sarcasm going over your head! :p

[BydoEmpire]

That's clearly Billy Mitchell on the left. Do you even know what he looks like? :PI think he's joking that he expected them to both be pictures of Billy Mitchell, not just the one on the left... ;)

I'll try to check it out next time I'm at OIA, but without any games to play it's kind of pointless. Great presentation, terrible selection. I can see having some redemption games and maybe a new pin or driver or something, but you'd think if anybody even knows what King of Kong is they'd be interested in classic games. Otherwise what's the point of branding it wiht that? Seems like they're advertising to one market, but making a product for a totally differenent market.

[DuckTalesNES]

I'd be more likely to buy the hot sauce than play any of those games.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I just noticed this and it's interesting to note that's a custom/variant KOK poster.

The original theatrical version has "Mr. Awesome" Roy Shildt's quote "Don't Get Chumpatized" as the tag-line on the bottom, not Billy's "Never Surrender, Never".

http://www.movieposteraddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/mpakingofkongposter.jpg

[Collector_Gaming]

Is there even a Donkey Kong cabinet to be found in the arcade?

the machine he did that film with is still in New hampshire at "Fun Spot" Arcade in laconia right down the isle from the machine he did the first "perfect pac man game"

very interesting arcade.. kinda messed up it doesn't have a single classic in it considering isn't that what he built his fame from is classics?

[InsaneDavid]

I just noticed this and it's interesting to note that's a custom/variant KOK poster.

The original theatrical version has "Mr. Awesome" Roy Shildt's quote "Don't Get Chumpatized" as the tag-line on the bottom, not Billy's "Never Surrender, Never".

http://www.movieposteraddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/mpakingofkongposter.jpg

With all the legal problems back and forth between Roy Shildt and Billy Mitchell / Twin Galaxies, it doesn't surprise me in the least. I wonder if Billy Mitchell had some kind of licensing agreement with the filmmakers that granted him the rights to use the film name for his own promotion. Remember, he always has a plan.

Either way, I've heard Roy Schildt isn't doing too good health wise these days. I do agree that his Missile Command score is probably genuine but he has about as much class as Brian Kuh.

While the film wasn't a total wash and I do think it's an entertaining movie, it was just that, a movie. The few clips of what were the original seeds of concept for the movie, that are included as special features, I found more interesting. I enjoyed Chasing Ghosts far more, sad it was shamed a tiny bit by Ron Bailey's past which came to light fairly recently.

[Jorpho]

Maybe it's just too much trouble to get those classics in good condition in that area? Aren't they something of a specialty item requiring much digging in unofficial channels to procure? (Is it even possible to buy an Ultracade anymore?)

I didn't know there was an Avatar pin made.

[buzz_n64]

King of kong arcade at the Orlando airport
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYDMp5tVltc

No Donkey Kong arcade cabinet, what's the freaking point?! Even a Crazy Kong or Junior cabinet would be something, but no.

[c0ldb33r]

Uggh he's such a bastard

[skaar]

http://media.fukung.net/images/32865/f812adba4fb9c63cb3a6fd67a89bb1c2.jpg

Sad there's no DK/DK Jr./Etc. in there.

I found this, had to share.

[old_skoolin_jim]

Wow after looking at these pictures of the "arcade" I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

[Jorpho]

Wow after looking at these pictures of the "arcade" I just threw up in my mouth a little bit....Why? I think it's a rather nice-looking arcade, aside from the choice of machines and depressing emptiness. (I feel kind of sad for the attendant.)

[Lady Jaye]

Maybe it's just too much trouble to get those classics in good condition in that area? Aren't they something of a specialty item requiring much digging in unofficial channels to procure? (Is it even possible to buy an Ultracade anymore?)

I didn't know there was an Avatar pin made.

That's not really to the point, since he could very well go for something like the dual Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga cab (even the old Forum at Montreal has one in the central place). Often, if you find any retrogaming cab nowadays, that's the one you'll see.

[Baloo]

That's not really to the point, since he could very well go for something like the dual Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga cab (even the old Forum at Montreal has one in the central place). Often, if you find any retrogaming cab nowadays, that's the one you'll see.

Or the Mario Bros./Donkey Kong/DK Jr. Cab, or Space Invaders Deluxe, hell a multicab is even feasible.

[TripppsK]

I believe Billy has a press conference set up for tomorrow out of his arcade. I wonder if he is unveiling another taped DK world record,or hopefully another live event.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I believe Billy has a press conference set up for tomorrow out of his arcade. I wonder if he is unveiling another taped DK world record,or hopefully another live event.

It's going to be a press conference to declare his awesomeness.

"Thank you for coming here today. I'm awesome. That is all. Thank you, good night."

[kedawa]

It's going to be a press conference to declare his awesomeness.

"Thank you for coming here today. I'm awesome. That is all. Thank you, good night."
That's crazy talk. He'd never address the public without plugging his sauce.

[Gapporin]

That's crazy talk. He'd never address the public without plugging his sauce.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/8939/saucew.jpg (http://img156.imageshack.us/i/saucew.jpg/)

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/FrankieViturello/f7e9712e.jpg

Nothing like some nice, tasty KOK Sauce!

[Stringfellow]

I was there yesterday. Unfortunately it was too late to go in, but it is small enough you can see all of it from the gate. Looks the same as the video. Wonder if Nintendo gave him permission to have Donkey Kong everywhere?