Flash Centipede
As a tribute to the classic Atari Centipede arcade game from 1980, Emil Korngold has attempted to recreate the game in Flash. The game is still in beta form, and yet his attempt seems to capture much of the action and addictive gameplay of the original.
Other than using the mouse for movement and firing instead of a trackball, this version of the game is played in almost exactly the same way: fire upon the decending centipede to remove sections from it and remove it from play. As sections of the worm are hit, they turn to mushrooms that then cause the worm to turn and descend another line lower. Familiar enemies and power-ups are also included with their classic behavior, such as the spider with its erratic, unpredictable movement and the flea that leaves poisoned mushrooms in its wake.
Analysis: While this is the best implementation I have seen yet of Centipede in Flash, the game still has a few areas needing improvement. First off, the centipede begins much too fast for the smaller-than-standard play field, and this causes other problems as well. One of the more gratifying aspects of playing the original was when the centipede would hit a poison mushroom thereby causing it to move in a straight path down to the bottom. By moving directly underneath the descending centipede and firing, the player could rapidly eliminate each segment in succession from play. In this version, the centipede simply moves too fast and detroys the player before all segments can be eliminated. Furthermore, when a life is lost there is no pause in the action, which causes all lives to be lost, one after the other, and it is "game over" in one fell swoop.
Still, I am eager to see Emil make improvements to this fine implementation as it remains one of my favorite games of all-time. Click.
This is way better than the original I cant believe how much better!!!
A bit frustrating to play, actually.
I dont know about the original, but this is kind of too fast.
Centipede is one of the few classic games I never understood really (other is Donkey Kong).
great game, always loved centepede
best so far-- 51230
Hey Jay, thanks for your kind article!
I'll do my best to make the improvements you have suggested and will keep you posted on progress.
in top 4!!!!
gets repetitive after a while
still is a fun classic game
I really enjoy playing these games
I used to play the original centipede on the atari arcade machines & this is nothing like what I used to play. The level colors don't even change. very disappointing!!! :(
can you pause the game?
Hey!!!
I used to spent hours playing this game, as well as other Atari classics! I think is a great idea to bring 'em back through Flash and people like Emil! What about using the original sound effects as well? They were really funny!
I like the original better. I bought the Atari Centipede version. It's just like I remember it:) I may have gotten it here:
http://www.direct2drive.com/4/31/product/Buy-Atari-Arcade-Hits-Download
but I really don't remember.
Update