Centipede
from Atari Interactive

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Centipede was the first classic Atari coin-op arcade game update released from Hasbro Interactive.  Hasbro Interactive acquired all of the rights to the Atari library when Atari's former holder (JTS Corporation) went under.

This game, like their earlier "Frogger" release, has two distinct parts to the package.  It consists of an "Arcade" mode, and an "Adventure" mode.  Let's start off with the "Arcade" mode.

Arcade Mode:

The screen capture on the right is from the "Arcade" mode of Centipede.  Now, anyone who has played a Centipede coin-op will tell you that this is nothing like the real game.  Many software publishers (Hasbro Interactive included) need to learn that they shouldn't call something an "Arcade" or "Classic" or "Retro" mode unless it really is.  All you are doing is alienating your audience, who probably bought the game expecting something that isn't there.

As for the gameplay, It was OK, but not worth getting excited about.  The graphics are clean, and the game does maintain a steady framerate.  The object of the game is still the same:   eliminate the centipedes as they work their way towards you.

On the downside, the controls are suprisingly sluggish.  I tested the game using a PII 300MHz system.  The system is much more powerful than what is recommended for the game, and the controls are just entirely too slow.

None of the original sound from the coin-op isn't there either, with the exception of the "charge" tune that you hear when you have earned an extra life.  Also, some of the same music from the "Adventure" mode of the game plays during the "Arcade" mode.   There was no music in the original game, and I find it inappropriate for the this part of the game.

You are probably getting the feeling that I didn't like the "Arcade" mode.  While it does have it's moments, this part of the game just isn't what I expected.  It doesn't do justice to the original game at all.  The angled 3D look of the screen is just plain annoying.  The controls are horrible, and the whole game has a feel like it was thrown together at the last second.

This mode of the game should never had been called "Arcade" mode.  To do so gives the impression that it will recreate the same arcade game that we know and love.  Sadly, the "arcade" mode doesn't do that at all.  I sincerely hope that Hasbro Interactive/Atari will not make this mistake again.  If they aren't going to present the original game in it's original form, they are doing an injustice to people purchasing the product, who are probably expecting something that isn't there. 

If you are only interested in playing the original REAL Centipede game from the arcades, pass this game up and buy Hasbro Interactive's Atari's Greatest Hits, which has the true Centipede coin-op game emulated in its true form.

Adventure Mode:

The "Adventure" mode of the game is much better, and I found it to be a lot of fun.  It is graphically impressive, but does require a fast system with a good 3D card to play.  The Canopus Pure 3D card that I used to review thia game handled all of the 3D effects just fine.

Notice the "fog" and "water" effects in the screen captures on the right.  From a visual, or "eye candy" standpoint, Centipede is a truly stunning game.

Sound is average.   Everything that needs to be there from an audio perspective did make it into the game.  The sound does get the point across, but I wouldn't call it outstanding.   The addition of music certainly adds a new perspective to the game.  Some of the music is very good, while some of it gets to be a bit anoying.

There are three different perspectives for viewing the game.  The first is a "top-down" perspective.   I feel that this is the best way to play the game.  This view gives you a good look at what is around you.  It doesn't force you to look at the radar all of the time.  (The radar is the circle in the lower right hand corner of the screen.)

The second perspective is a "3rd Person" view.  If you have ever played Tomb Raider, you should feel right at home.  This view puts you a bit deeper into the action, but forces you to look at the radar all of the time to see what is coming up behind you.

The third perspective is the "1st Person" view.  This is where the true beauty of the game really stands out.  Everything looks spectacular, and you really feel like you are part of the game.  However, just like the "3rd Person" view, you will spend entirely too much time watching the radar.  Things will come up behind you, and if you don't keep checking that radar, you will die often.

Your main goal is to kill all of the nasties that you can find.  You must also grab power-ups, and rescue the "Wee People" who live in the Kingdom that is infested with the Centipedes.   All of the creatures from the coin-op classic (spiders, fleas, scorpions, etc.) are all here.  There are even some new bugs to deal with.

I found one aspect of the various levels of the game to be a little confusing.  After you have killed off all of the Centipede's, you must move on to the next level.  You accomplish this by finding a bridge, and crossing over it.  Finding that bridge isn't always that easy, as they are never in the same place.  There isn't anything in the game to point you where you need to go.  The bridges themselves are very narrow, and you can fall into a chasm or body of water if you are not careful.  More often than not, this means death.

The "Boss" levels require you to eliminate a ton of wimpy enemies before you actually get to the "Boss."  If you die while fighting the "Boss," you will have to start over again with all of the weaker foes.  This will waste several minutes of your time.

Conclusion:

Overall, I enjoyed the package.  As I noted above, I was disappointed in the "Arcade" mode, but the "Adventure" mode made up for it in many ways.  In the "Adventure" mode, shooting all of the creatures is fun, and the game does have an "arcade" feel.   Killing the bugs and gathering power-ups gets quite involved.  Despite the challenges involved, it was very easy to pick up the game and figure out how it works.

I would have liked to have seen some historical information from the original coin-op game.

The best part is that the "Adventure" mode of the game still feels like "Centipede" despite the major changes in sound and graphics.  The levels are colorful and make great use of 3D effects.  Fog in particular is used very well.

If you buy Centipede for the "Arcade" mode, you will be disappointed.  As as result, the final score for the package jas been affected.  However, if you want a good 3D shooter with some classic Atari roots, then go buy this game.

Hardware Requirements:

For more information, visit the Atari Interactive
homepage at Hasbro Interactive