Centipede (USA)

What is Centipede (USA)?

Centipede (USA) is a classic arcade shooter originally developed by Atari for the Atari 7800 system. Players control a small shooter at the bottom of the screen, tasked with eliminating a descending centipede and other hazardous creatures like spiders, fleas, and scorpions. The game emphasizes quick reflexes, strategic shooting, and survival as enemies become faster and more aggressive across levels.

Game Features

• Retro vector graphics with vibrant, arcade-style visuals
• Fast-paced action requiring precision and timing
• Progressive difficulty with increasingly challenging enemy patterns
• Diverse enemies, including venomous spiders, mushroom-spawning fleas, and stinging scorpions
• High-score leaderboard to track top players
• Two-player alternating gameplay for competitive fun

How to Play Centipede (USA)?

1. Movement: Use arrow keys or WASD to maneuver the shooter left and right.
2. Shooting: Press the Z key (A button) to fire projectiles upward at enemies.
3. Destroy the Centipede: Target individual segments of the centipede; each hit breaks it into smaller, faster sections.
4. Avoid Hazards: Dodge spiders crawling along the playfield, fleas dropping mushrooms, and scorpion shots that poison the screen.
5. Clear Mushrooms: Shoot mushrooms to clear your path, but avoid letting the centipede regenerate them by hitting your shots.
6. Survive and Score: Eliminate all enemies to advance levels, with difficulty escalating each round.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I defeat the centipede?
Focus fire on a single segment until it shatters, then target the remaining pieces. Prioritize head segments for maximum points.

What other enemies should I watch out for?
Spiders move unpredictably, fleas create obstacles (mushrooms), and scorpions poison existing mushrooms, making them deadly to touch.

How do I maximize my score?
Destroy the centipede’s head first, eliminate bonus enemies (like spiders), and clear mushrooms strategically to avoid penalties.