Centipede

Centipede is a 1981 fixed shooter video game developed and published by Atari for arcades. Designed by Dona Bailey and Ed Logg, it was one of the most commercially successful games from the golden age of arcade video games and one of the first with a significant female player base. The primary objective is to shoot all the segments of a centipede that winds down the playing field. An arcade sequel, Millipede, followed in 1982.

Centipede was ported to Atari’s own Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, and Atari 8-bit computers. Under the Atarisoft label, the game was sold for the Apple II, Commodore 64, ColecoVision, VIC-20, IBM PC (as a self-booting disk), Intellivision, and TI-99/4A. Superior Software published the port for the BBC Micro. Versions for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color were also produced, as well as a version for the short-lived Game.com developed by Handheld Games and published by Tiger Electronics.

The player controls the small insect-like creature called the Bug Blaster. It is moved around the bottom area of the screen with a trackball and fires small darts at a segmented centipede advancing from the top of the screen through a field of mushrooms. Each segment of the centipede becomes a mushroom when shot; shooting one of the middle segments splits the centipede into two pieces at that point. Each piece then continues independently on its way down the screen, with the rear piece sprouting its own head. If the centipede head is destroyed, the segment behind it becomes the next head. Shooting the head is worth 100 points while the other segments are 10. The centipede starts at the top of the screen, traveling either left or right. When it touches a mushroom or reaches the edge of the screen, it descends one level and reverses direction. The player can destroy mushrooms (a point each) by shooting them, but each takes four shots to destroy. At higher levels, the screen can become increasingly crowded with mushrooms due to player/enemy actions, causing the centipede to descend more rapidly.

Once the centipede reaches the bottom of the screen, it stays within the player area and one-segment “head” centipedes will periodically appear from the side. This continues until the player has eliminated both the original centipede and all heads. When all the centipede’s segments are destroyed, another one enters from the top of the screen. The initial centipede is 10 or 12 segments long, including the head; each successive centipede is one segment shorter and accompanied by one detached, faster-moving head. This pattern continues until all segments are separate heads, after which it repeats with a single full-length centipede.

The player also encounters other creatures besides the centipedes. Fleas drop vertically and disappear upon touching the bottom of the screen, occasionally leaving a trail of mushrooms in their path when only a few mushrooms are in the player movement area; they are worth 200 points each and take two shots to destroy. Spiders move across the player area in a zig-zag pattern and eat some of the mushrooms; they are worth 300, 600, or 900 points depending on the range they are shot from. Scorpions move horizontally across the screen, turning every mushroom they touch into poison mushrooms. Scorpions are also worth the most points of all enemies with 1,000 points each. A centipede touching a poison mushroom will attack straight down toward the bottom, then return to normal behavior upon reaching it. This “poisoned” centipede can be both beneficial and detrimental to the player; the player can destroy them rapidly as it descends down, while at the same time, they can be very challenging to avoid, especially if already split into multiple segments.

The Bug Blaster is destroyed when hit by any enemy, after which any poisonous or partially damaged mushrooms revert to normal. 5 points are awarded for each regenerated mushroom. An extra life is awarded every 12,000 points.

Centipede is a classic arcade game released by Atari in 1980. Here’s a guide on how to play it:

Objective

The main goal of Centipede is to destroy the centipede as it moves down the screen towards you, while avoiding or destroying other enemies like spiders, fleas, and scorpions.

Controls

• Move: Use the joystick or arrow keys to move your character (usually a small shooter) left, right, up, and down within the lower portion of the screen.
• Fire: Press the fire button (or a corresponding key) to shoot at enemies.

Gameplay Tips

1. Destroy the Centipede: Aim to shoot segments of the centipede as it moves down the screen. When you hit a segment, it turns into a mushroom, and the centipede splits into two smaller centipedes.
2. Avoid Other Enemies: Spiders, fleas, and scorpions will appear and pose a threat. Spiders can move diagonally and quickly, fleas drop straight down and leave mushrooms in their path, and scorpions poison mushrooms, which cause the centipede to move directly downward when it touches them.
3. Control the Mushrooms: Mushrooms block your shots and cause the centipede to change direction when it hits them. Clearing mushrooms can make it easier to aim at the centipede, but be strategic about which mushrooms you remove.
4. Survive: Stay agile and avoid getting hit by enemies. Use quick movements to dodge incoming threats and find safe positions to shoot from.

Scoring

• Centipede Segments: 10 points each
• Spider: 300, 600, or 900 points depending on how close it is to your shooter
• Flea: 200 points each
• Scorpion: 1,000 points each
• Mushroom: 1 point each

Strategy

• Prioritize Threats: Focus on destroying the centipede segments while also keeping an eye out for other enemies. Don’t let spiders or fleas catch you off guard.
• Mushroom Management: Clear mushrooms strategically to maintain a clear line of sight and control the centipede’s movement.
• Stay Mobile: Keep moving to avoid enemy attacks and find better shooting angles.

Professional

Golden Classic Video Game