Trading Card Spotlight "Rewind" - Wes Copeland

This week we go back to an interview I did with Donkey Kong champion, Wes Copeland. This interview was done on August 19, 2016. It was short but it was good to have Wes take time and be a part of the Trading Card Spotlight.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Wes Copeland, who is displayed on card number 769, from the Superstars of 2014.   Wes is also features on card numbers 1838 and 2245.  Wes is the current world record holder, on what some people call the holy grail of arcade records, Donkey Kong.  As of 5/11/2016, Wes has the current high score on Donkey Kong of 1,218,000.   Wes has appeared in multiple Kong-Off Tournaments and has recently taken second place in Kong-Off V held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.   

Are you still involved with gaming today, and what role do you play?

As of this writing, I’m the Donkey Kong arcade world record holder, and compete on several other titles including Balloon Fight, Ice Climber, Donkey Kong Junior, and Crazy Kong. I also build software to nourish the competitive gaming scene, including the current tournaments platform used by Twin Galaxies.

Do you remember your first video game / arcade you played and what do you remember about it?

The first game I remember playing is Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening on an original Gameboy. I received the game from my grandfather as a Christmas gift in 1994. The thing I remember most is taking at least half a year to figure out the first puzzle.

What are your opinions about today’s generation of video games?  How do you compare them to older, classic games?

Today’s lineup of available games is more diverse than ever. There’s something for everyone — from the ultra-hardcore to the everyday casual player. Games like StarCraft, Super Meat Boy, and Mega Man 10 prove there’s still a market for games that appeal to those playing for conquering something adversely difficult. I don’t think that’ll be going away anytime soon.

Where do you see video gaming in the next 20 years?

eSports as an industry will continue to be more accepted, and as a result will grow and evolve. We’re beginning to see colleges offer scholarships to talented gamers for their abilities in titles such as League of Legends — I suspect that trend will continue.