Addictive, thrilling, and always a fun challenge.

User Rating: 9 | Centipede ARC
By Sensei_Pong | Review Date:
Ah, the classic shoot-em-up game that had the unique feature of using a trackball. You don't find trackballs on any new arcade games anymore, I'm not really sure why; but for a short time, some of the best games had them. But the true beauty in the trackball would have to be that entire feel of the game is brought to a different level compared to other shoot-em-ups at the time (ie. Galaga, Space Invacers, etc.). You can find Centipede on almost any port with different controls (joystick/d-pad), and those versions of the game are great! But the trackball is truly where the game feels best. Once you play trackball with Centipede, you can't go back.

The idea and "story" for the game is simple. You're a gunner on the bottom of the screen attacking a giant centipede coming down towards you, closer and closer. If you attack it anywhere in the center, it breaks into two different centipedes. And what usually happens with novice players is by the end of each stage, the player is forced to fight multiple 'pedes at one time. The action is thrilling and intense. On top of the Centipede, there's spiders that pop up now and then jumping across the screen. Shooting one of these fast buggers offers a high point bonus, but they also litter the already littered screen with mushrooms. These mushrooms help the centipede block your shots and also help it to change direction as it makes it's way towards you. Shooting and getting rid of these mushrooms also offer a small point bonus, and also help the player strategically take out mushrooms that may be in the way.

There's also this weird bug thing that flies across the screen that makes mushrooms glow and whenever the Centipede touches one of the glowing mushrooms, the 'pede automatically goes straight down. Yes, it sounds like a shroom trip for the little pede, but it definitely adds to the already panicky nature of the game.

This game is a classic and will always be fun even if you're not a fan of the seriously old-school genre.

If you find this game in the arcade, play it. You wont regret it. Definitely if it's a trackball version.

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  • Rating:5

    Millipede is better.

    By lancerhawk | Review Date: Jun 17, 2009 | ARC

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  • Rating:8

    From the era of 25 cent arcade games.

    By garey017 | Review Date: Feb 25, 2008 | ARC

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