Asteroids Classic
Atari 5200 · Shooter
Centipede
Certified classic
| System | Atari 5200 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Shooter |
| Developer | Atari |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Centipede |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 8 |
Released for the Atari 5200, Centipede is a shooter developed by Atari.
It is part of the Centipede series. The series also appears on other systems with Centipede (2600) and Centipede (ColecoVision). Atari also made Missile Command, Star Wars and Star Raiders for the 5200.
Centipede supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the 5200's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
What playing Centipede is like
Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.
Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.
Centipede walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Centipede.
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Playing 5200 games today
The 5200 library is small and arcade-focused, so it suits players who enjoy classic coin-op ports. The original non-centering joysticks are famously fragile, which is why many collectors use refurbished or modern replacement controllers.
Centipede FAQ
Who made Centipede?
It was developed by Atari.
Is Centipede multiplayer?
Yes. Centipede supports up to 2 players.
How long does Centipede take to play?
As a shooter, Centipede typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Centipede on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.