Centipede Intellivision box art

Intellivision · Action

Centipede

SystemIntellivision
GenreAction
DeveloperAtari
PublisherAtari
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut

Centipede is an action game released for the Intellivision, developed by Atari.

Atari also made Defender for the Intellivision.

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've played the Intellivision hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Centipede is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Centipede gameplay screenshot on Intellivision
In-game screenshot (Intellivision)

If you like Centipede, the Matrix also picks…

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Playing Intellivision games today

Intellivision games reward patience: many are slower, more strategic designs than their Atari rivals. Official compilations have kept a large part of the library available on modern platforms.

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 an action game, 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.

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.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you