STRIDE gives Steve Wiebe some honor, gum and quarters

STRIDE Gum will honor Steve Wiebe’s valiant effort to conquer Donkey Kong at E3 2009, despite the fact that he failed to beat Billy Mitchell’s highscore. As the old folks say “close is only good enough for horsehoes and hand grenades.” While he was unable to break the Donkey Kong world record at E3, the makers of Stride Gum, want to reward Wiebe for his valiant efforts. Stride gum had originally offered to give Steve Wiebe 40,004 quarters ($10,001) and a year’s supply of their newest flavor Uber Bubble if he broke the Donkey Kong world record at E3 2009.

To honor his latest attempt and dedication to a classic tradition of arcade gaming, Stride gum will give Wiebe $2,500.25 (10,001 quarters in total) and a year’s supply of Uber Bubble gum, more than enough to see him through to his next attempt. Stride will also keep the offer open through E3 2010, so whenever Wiebe makes a public attempt at the Donkey Kong world record, Stride gum will be ready to reward him with $10,001 in quarters if and when he breaks it (at a public-facing, Twin Galaxies-approved event from now until E3 2010).

While the world record of 1,050,200 points remains intact, Wiebe still impressed everyone that watched with a kill screen at 989,400, and other impressive scores of 923,400 and 653,700 at E3.