Billy Mitchell Known for his exceptional skills in arcade gaming during the 1980s and holding the title of the greatest arcade video gamer of all time, Billy Mitchell journey is nothing short of legendary. In this comprehensive article, we’ll delve into Billy Mitchell biography, his net worth as of 2023, his personal life, including his wife and family, and his significant contributions to the world of gaming. We’ll also explore his achievements, controversies, and the famous Regular Show episode inspired by his gaming persona.
Billy Mitchell Biography, Wiki
| Name: | Billy Mitchell |
| Date of Birth: | July 16, 1965 |
| Age (2023): | 58 years old |
| Birthplace: | Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | White |
| Height: | 5 feet 11 inches |
| Weight: | 78 kilograms |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Eye Color: | Light Brown |
| Notable Achievements: | – Set a perfect score of 3,333,360 points in “Pac-Man.” <br> – Held the Donkey Kong world record in the 1980s. <br> – Owner of “Rickey’s World Famous Restaurant.” |
| Net Worth (2023): | $1 million USD |
| Family: | Married with three children. Prioritized family over gaming in the 1990s. |
Billy Mitchell: Early Life and Career
Billy Mitchell was born on July 16 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA, making him 58 years old as of 2023. With the zodiac sign of Cancer, Billy is of American nationality and white ethnicity. While he is primarily known for his video game prowess, his professional career took an interesting turn.
In the 1980s, Billy Mitchell made a name for himself by setting a high score in the classic game “Donkey Kong,” a record that remained unbroken for a remarkable 18 years. His dedication and skill in arcade gaming helped solidify his reputation as one of the greatest video game players of all time. He even live-streamed the gameplay of various arcade games on his Twitch channel.
However, in the early ’90s, Billy decided to take a break from the gaming world to spend more time with his family. Since then, he has been occupied with managing his restaurants, marking a shift from the world of joysticks to the culinary world. His notable restaurant venture is “Rickey’s World Famous Restaurant.”
Billy Mitchell Net Worth 2023
As of 2023, Billy Mitchell net worth is estimated at $1 million USD. While his early fame was primarily built on his gaming achievements, his major source of income in recent years has been his restaurant, “Rickey’s World Famous Restaurant.” This transition from gaming to the culinary industry has undoubtedly contributed to his financial success.
Billy Mitchell Height, Weight, and Hair Color
Standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 78 kilograms, Billy Mitchell is a distinctive figure. He possesses light brown eyes and long, black hair. Notably, he often wears a tie with an American flag print, a symbol of his patriotism and gratitude to his country.
Billy Mitchell Professional Life
Billy Mitchell gaming journey began in the 1980s, when he set a series of high scores in various arcade games. His most famous achievement was scoring a perfect 3,333,360 points in the original “Pac-Man” game, establishing himself as a gaming legend. In a recent demonstration of his enduring passion for gaming, he streamed himself playing “Pac-Man” for a staggering six hours without a pause, a testament to his dedication.
But when the 1990s approached, Billy put his gaming on hold to concentrate on running his restaurants and spending time with his family. His career underwent a dramatic change as a result.
Billy Mitchell, wife, and family members
Billy Mitchell has remained quiet about his family while being outspoken about his accomplishments in the gaming industry and in his work. There isn’t much information on his siblings or parents. We do know that he was raised by his parents and currently resides with his own family, which consists of a devoted wife and three kids. Billy prioritized his responsibilities as a husband and father in the 1990s by taking a break from gaming, demonstrating his unwavering devotion to his family.
Gaming
Billy Mitchell’s gaming career has been marked by incredible feats. In 2004, he achieved a new personal best of 933,900 in the Midwest Gaming Classic’s “Donkey Kong” game. It was well earned that he was known as “perhaps the best arcade video game player of all time”. His gaming career did, however, take some unexpected detours.
Billy Mitchell opted not to go to events where fellow player Steve Wiebe tried to break the world record in Donkey Kong in 2004 and 2005. He gave as his excuse the necessity to retrain and get ready for the tournament following his break from video gaming.
Notably, Wiebe accomplished a spectacular achievement recorded by Twin Galaxies when he was able to accumulate over a million points on an arcade system at his home. Wiebe’s system, it was later discovered, had utilized an unauthorized “Double Donkey Board,” which had circuitry for both Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr.
Gaming Return
Billy Mitchell return to the world of gaming was marked by a resurgence of his skills. In 2004, he set a new personal record for “Donkey Kong” with a score of 933,900 at the Midwest Gaming Classic. His dedication to perfecting his gaming abilities was evident.
As Steve Wiebe pursued the Donkey Kong world record in 2004 and 2005, Billy Mitchell chose not to participate in Wiebe’s activities initially. He explained that he needed to retrain and prepare for the competition after his hiatus from video games.
However, Steve Wiebe’s remarkable achievement of collecting more than a million points on an arcade machine at his home garnered recognition from the Twin Galaxies. This accomplishment was documented on camera, although it later emerged that Wiebe’s machine had utilized an unlicensed “Double Donkey Board,” raising questions about the legitimacy of the record.
Billy Mitchell Regular Show
In a unique twist, Billy Mitchell found himself parodied in the animated series “Regular Show” as Garrett Bobby Ferguson (GBF). In the episode titled “High Score,” GBF is portrayed as a giant floating head with a long beard, claiming to hold world records for every arcade game in existence. This character challenges Mordecai and Rigby to a game of Pac-Man, with the park’s arcade machine at stake.
Initially intimidated, Mordecai and Rigby discover that GBF is a big bully who cheats at video games. They ultimately defeat him by exposing his cheating methods, leading to an explosive and humorous conclusion.
Billy Mitchell filed a lawsuit against Cartoon Network, but it was dismissed by a judge who deemed GBF to be a parody that did not infringe on Mitchell likeness. The episode serves as both a satirical take on competitive gaming and a reminder of the importance of humility in victory.
Billy Mitchell, Donkey Kong
Billy Mitchell claim to fame in the gaming world is closely tied to the classic arcade game “Donkey Kong.” In 1982, he set the first widely recognized Donkey Kong world record with a score of 874,300 points. This achievement marked the beginning of a series of record-breaking performances throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
In 2007, Billy Mitchell achieved his highest Donkey Kong score of 1,062,800 points, further solidifying his status as a legend in the video game community. His remarkable accomplishments were featured in the 2007 documentary film “The King of Kong,” which chronicled his intense rivalry with fellow Donkey Kong player Steve Wiebe.
However, controversy surfaced in 2018 when Billy Mitchell was accused of cheating to achieve his record scores. Twin Galaxies, the official video game record-keeping organization, stripped him of his Donkey Kong records after determining that he had used an emulator instead of an original arcade machine. Billy Mitchell vehemently denied these allegations and subsequently initiated a defamation lawsuit against Twin Galaxies.
Despite the controversy, the Billy Mitchell legacy in the world of video games remains intact. He remains one of the most skilled Donkey Kong players of all time, and his achievements continue to inspire a new generation of gamers.
Billy Mitchell Restaurant
Aside from his gaming and entertainment ventures, Billy Mitchell is also known for his involvement in the restaurant industry. He owns and operates “Rickey’s World Famous Restaurant,” which is located at 191 Rockaway Ave., Valley Stream, NY 11580, USA. This long-standing eatery offers booths and counter seats, serving all-day American fare and homemade ice cream.
Established in 1955, the restaurant has been in the Mitchell family’s ownership since 1974. One of its notable offerings is the famous chicken wings, introduced by the Mitchell family in 1978. The restaurant’s hot sauce, which Billy Mitchell himself created, is a well-liked addition to the chicken wings.
Rickey’s Restaurant has become a beloved spot for both locals and tourists, known for its friendly atmosphere, delicious food, and reasonable prices.
Conclusion
Billy Mitchell journey from an arcade gaming legend to a restaurateur reflects a diverse and fascinating career. With a net worth of $1 million USD in 2023, he has successfully transitioned between two distinct worlds. His contributions to gaming, particularly in Donkey Kong, are still celebrated, despite the controversies surrounding his records. Billy Mitchell appearance in the “Regular Show” is a testament to his cultural impact. As a dedicated family man and entrepreneur, he continues to leave his mark on both the gaming and culinary realms. The Billy Mitchell story is a testament to the enduring allure of arcade gaming and the multifaceted nature of a modern-day legend.
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FAQs
Q: What is Billy Mitchell net worth in 2023?
A: As of 2023, Billy Mitchell net worth is estimated to be $1 million USD. His wealth primarily comes from his successful restaurant venture, “Rickey’s World Famous Restaurant.”
Q: What is Billy Mitchell most famous gaming achievement?
A: Billy Mitchell is best known for achieving a perfect score of 3,333,360 points in the original “Pac-Man” game, solidifying his status as one of the greatest arcade gamers of all time.
Q: Why did Billy Mitchell take a break from gaming in the 1990s?
A: Billy Mitchell took a break from gaming in the early ’90s to spend more time with his family and transition into managing his restaurants, prioritizing his personal life over his gaming career.
Q: What was the controversy surrounding Billy Mitchell gaming records?
A: In 2018, Billy Mitchell faced allegations of cheating in achieving his record scores, particularly in “Donkey Kong.” Twin Galaxies, the official video game record-keeping organization, stripped him of his records due to evidence of emulator use.
Q: How did Billy Mitchell respond to his parody in the “Regular Show”?
A: Billy Mitchell filed a lawsuit against Cartoon Network for the portrayal of his gaming persona as Garrett Bobby Ferguson (GBF) in the “Regular Show” episode titled “High Score.” However, a judge ultimately dismissed the lawsuit because she found that GBF was a parody and did not infringe on Mitchell likeness.
