The History of Centipede - arcade console documentary

The history of Atari's iconic shooter
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[@kendrickkelly2336]

I love how 40-ish years later, if I find a Centi/Millipede arcade cabinet, I can still play a decently long game on one quarter. Muscle memory and all of those play strategies are a little rusty, but are still there!

[@robertrada4783]

Same here, except I can still get my butt handed to me. 😅

[@paxhumana2015]

d I am a millipede, I am amazing... d

[@atrain818]

That game seems impossible. It seems so random idk how anyone could master it. Gun.smoke or donkey Kong i could see

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

Millipede, all that action and chaos in 16 Kbytes of code. 16,384 bytes to be exact.

[@Invidente7]

Funny thing, in the comic book adaptation of centipede the main characther is actually the villian of the story, just like they made donkey kong a good guy in his cartoon.

[@erikglennrosenquist9010]

PatmanQC, I can never, ever thank you enough for playing this fine video. Centipede is a timeless classic.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Glad you enjoyed the content so much, thanks

[@mspme2ms.pac-manentertainm741]

@@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries can you do the history of bubble bobble

[@oaf-77]

That side art is my favorite example of vintage arcade art My favorite centipede clone was Slay the Nereis for the TRS-80

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Never had a chance to try that one

[@endymallorn]

If you had the trackball and the compatibility unit for the CoCo, that was a really fun game!

[@temmy9]

I liked colorpede

[@SomeOrangeCat]

That 2600 version was an early example of "Graphics alone don't make the game!"

[@puekawNEpuyrruh]

Absolutely!!!! That is SO True for Many Atari 2600 games !! Gameplay was Definitely King 👑

[@daisukegori2112]

Not sure I likd that phrase. I consider old 2d simpld game graphics to be the best. I'd rather say that high processing power doesn't always make a good game and low doesn't always make a bad.

[@mizukarate]

Exactly game play is king.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

@@mizukarate So many games on the 2600 managed to capture the feel of the game they were based on. Granted this wasn't always the case.

[@opinionsux420noonecares5]

Centipede was the first game I had for the NES I could actually figure out how to play and have fun. On a black and white UHF knob TV. It was awesome. God bless Patman. Thanks for the video. Perhaps I had millipede. I just know I liked it.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

It must've been millipede since the original never came out for the NES

[@b.o.353]

Thank you for telling the true story of centipede. For too long it’s as though it was a one person show. I’ve heard most of this before but nice to have the story out there. It’s my wife’s favorite game. Awesome video.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Absolutely, it was definitely a two man show with Donna being the one who picked out the concept. Thank you

[@wanderandargo]

Centipede is always fun! It's timeless. My favorite version is the Atari 2600, probably because it's the one I grew up with, on an Atari 2600 we found at Goodwill. Beyond that the audio in that version is so great - The way that the laser/arrow/(whatever it is) sounds is perfect. Sidenote: Your videos are awesome! I love how you always go through the console and home PC ports - It's so cool to see all the different versions.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

I was amazed at how close the sound was with the 2600 version as well. There are just some games from the early 80s that are timeless as you say. Thanks for the nice words, glad you enjoyed the content

[@Cafeman_2D]

I appreciate the thorough review of multiple versions. The arcade original, and the 5200 port, are the highlights. Thank you for the hard work and hours to entertain us!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Absolutely, I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@shareofmoney]

As a kid, I always got Millipede and Centipede mixed up! Thanks for including that Saturday morning bumper! Good memories

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Absolutely, I always loved those bumpers

[@oldschoolcompsci]

How can you not be subscribed to this channel is the question? These videos are more addictive than drugs

[@JasonMontell2501]

My dad would have enjoyed this.

[@matthewlane518]

My dad loved this game too😁aren't gamer dad's the coolest! RIP POP!

[@thurstoninsanity7641]

I've seen these two bots under different names on several videos. So annoying

[@matthewlane518]

@@thurstoninsanity7641 bots? I assure you althou I do comment on ALOT of vids it's because I watch alot of vids and I almost always have some kind of comment😆! But I am flesh and blood and not a computer! But maybe you were just joking, I also have no other KZbin accounts or other names

[@thurstoninsanity7641]

@Matthew Lane sorry about that it’s been a few months so I don’t exactly remember why I accused you of bot but I’m sorry

[@matthewlane518]

It's ok😆 for some reason you thought I was a bit, it's ok thou all is good👍

[@MrKanjidude]

Another great video Patman! I have no idea why so many people don't subscribe to channels they enjoy. Centipede is a game I somehow never got into back in the day; all the fast creepy crawlies and hindering mushrooms makes it look rather stressful to me.

[@bassage13]

My dad loved Centipede when I was a kid. Every time we went into an arcade, he had to play it.

[@stanleyteriaca2184]

I wish they continued the naming of the original Centipede/Millipede. Here is my idea for "future" sequels (assuming I had a time machine). 1) Megapede (Centipede 3): Much like Milipede but two players at the same time, indestructible ant hills and ants which eat mushrooms along with the spiders. 2) Ultrapede (Centipede 4): Much like the other games, but we have backgrounds and a setting of a ruined world. And new bugs, of course. 3) Omegapede (Centipede 5): The setting is space as the heroes must stop waves of alien bugs on a large asteroid orbiting Earth, threatening to overwhelm Earth. This is a limited round game. About 40 rounds with bosses.

[@thunderwarrior1759]

I found a cabinet in a scrap yard back in the late 90’ and bought it with another really cheap. Now in 2021 I own a bartop arcade machine that runs Hyperspin and the very first game i added to favourites and 9/10 times what i play first is Centipede..and earlier this month i bought the Centipede/ Millipede double pack on Xbox…after all these years it’s still a highly loved game that I’m so,so thankful i was around when it first came out…..and I’m going deep here now.. it honestly brings me to tears that there is gonna be a time when I’m no longer here to play it as well as so many other games & movies and be with family and our beautiful planet with the amazing nature we have. Sorry about that. My cat died and it’s hit me hard.. PatmanQC 4 Life coz he’s just too sweet 🤘

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thank you my friend. The game is definitely a classic and has that pick up and play feel to it that is missing in a lot of games today.

[@Lightblue2222]

I love the Bond movie Never Say Never Again. The villian Maximillian loves video games. One of his parties had about a dozen Centipede machines set up for his guests to play. Always love seeing that part.

[@thunderwarrior1759]

Centipede = “THE” one game i play every time i turn any of my emulators. From bartop arcade machines,to super console x pro, Pandora’s box,mini pc with 2TB hard drive and handheld’s. Back in the 90’s i was lucky enough to find the real thing. A full size,mint,dedicated original arcade machine. A slightly marked Space Invaders and Centipede for £100. I already had a fruit machine in my flat, so that had to go so i could fit Centipede in. A friend wanted the Space Invaders and picked them up for me..so £50 including delivery. Wish i still had it today. But back then I’d play it 24/7. I eventually sold it for £1500 in 2019 to a mate who’s still got it. Every time i go round i play it.. it’s nice knowing it went to a good home

[@TMALATERALUS]

Dayum, those old comercials are so bizzare to the point of sometimes being disturbing

[@Boswd]

The Atari 2600 had this magic about it when it came to these games. I still remember the day we came home with Centifpede we fired up Met with that floating Centifpede Atari Logo all pumped then we got to the game screen and we were like "What the ....." with the dashes for mushrooms and rectangle block for the wand leggless centifpede but then you played it and it was like Magic, it captured the speed and chaos, the colors, the fleas , the scorpion it became one of the most addicting game and Atari in their own way just Nailied. I have an Atari Flashback and I still love diving in for a good hour or so playing it to the point of reliving the pain of "atari thumb" . Just love it.

[@yobwoc1000]

Star wars on Atari comes to mind too

[@storiedworlds6261]

Centipede was one of my arcade favorites when I was a kid. Such a great game. Love your videos, man.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thank you very much I appreciate that

[@BlackburnBigdragon]

I laughed at that first 3D Centipede's music. There was this time period in the 90's and early 2000's where all video game music pretty much turned into either the soundtrack for the movie Mortal Kombat, or some bouncing, loud, thumping, rave.

[@Freakinger81]

Great Video! This "Club Centipede" ad was pretty damn weird, though. 😄

[@TheBatwave]

This is incredible! I hope you do one on Mappy!

[@Gamevet]

I'd picked up the 2600 trackball controller several years ago. I'd played Centipede and Missile Command on my 2600, before trying it on my C-64. It worked fairly well with Centipede and several other trackball games on the computer, but it died when I had plugged it into my 2600, when it was powered up.

[@ridiculous_gaming]

Centipede: easy to understand with simple elements, yet difficult to master. How addictive. Millipede? A fantastic add-on to the original formula.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

It is fantastic and a little bit easier in my opinion

[@adrianshappymoments9343]

Proud to be one of the 7% subbed. All hail Ser PatmanQC!!

[@BlackburnBigdragon]

Oh my god. Looking at that first picture of the kids in that arcade. The machines! I recognize them all and I played every single one of them. My favorite at this time period was "Star Castle". I always wondered why, since this game was such a hit at the arcades, it never received a console or home computer port, except to the Vectrex. You would think that this game would have been on everything at the time.

[@joekerr1771]

Two additional things I've heard storywise are... a. Dona Bailey left GM because she had a hand in creating an engine for Cadillac and it did not test well (and allegedly a prototype blew up) b. Ed Logg disputes she had a hand in creating Centipede but credits her with coming up with the use of pastels for colors and she did about half the programming. After that she left to join Videa (pre-Nolan Bushnell Sente) and had nothing go past prototype stage then joined Activision to the same result and then left the gaming industry.

[@sneakyskunk1]

That picture of an excited crowd forming around the Centipede cabinet at a supermarket made me feel somewhat wistful. Nostalgia for a thing that was once so common place is not something I was expecting while watching the video. Thank you for another wonderful documentary PatmanQC. Good luck on the march to the 100 k subscriber milestone! The channel definitely deserves a larger audience.

[@Optimalillusion]

The Atari Anniversary collection version of Centipede for GBA can go to portrait mode by pressing select. It boosts the already awesome gameplay to even better levels.

[@spaghettigodultra5069]

Yes!! I have been waiting for Patman to cover my all time favorite arcade video game!!!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@Mintcar923]

This arcade cabinet was so badass at the time I requested it as my first ColecoVision game!

[@realmchat6665]

Love this game, and your retro game history documentaries are awesome, been watching since pretty much the beginning, really appreciate the content you create.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Glad you like them! I appreciate the nice words, thanks

[@inclinevillage]

Such a great run through of the history of Centipede - thanks so much for taking the time to do the research and putting this together, you rock!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Absolutely, I appreciate you watching. Thank you so much

[@presidentsnow7315]

Cool! My all time favorite video game! As a kid, I always thought that you were in a "bug blaster", not a guy with a magic wand.

[@opinionsux420noonecares5]

You can play while your Tesla self drives into a motorcyclest. Jk. Have a good day!

[@joegalford2319]

WOW the “we’ll be right back” guitar guy brought back some memories. Another fine video sir 👍

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thank you very much, I always enjoyed those Saturday morning bumpers

[@entertainingCed]

Great job as always. Love your videos. So many memories. So many quarters.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Glad you like them! Thank you

[@erneststackhouse1133]

Centipede by far is the best Arcade Art Cabinet ever in my opinion! i never got into the home conversions as i got use to the track ball in the Arcades. However, i now own a 1UP mini arcade of Centipede & Missal Command. Also had a blast playing Centipede Chaos at Dave & Busters! i concur the mushroom seats were awesome. Need to invest in mushroom stools for my home! Back in the day i had the T-Shirt & wore it proud until it faded off the shirt. I was not aware of all the track balls that were for all the home conversions may have to invest in some.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Since I am disabled I use a trackball instead of a mouse and it comes in handy when playing Golden tee golf, marble madness and of course centipede :-)

[@angrycandy5441]

I've been subscribed for months, my dude - happy to be here!

[@woodeyelyegaming1401]

Just in time! I was feeling like crap but a patman video always makes me feel better. Thanks patman

[@xethnyrrow]

New PatmanQC video = instant thumbs up! This one is one of the biggest ever.

[@JesterEric]

There is a version for the Atari Lynx. It was unfinished/unreleased with no sound. It has had the sound added and been released as a cart

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

I didn't mention it because it was never officially released

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

It has come to my attention that there are no different modes in the cocktail version. Sorry for the erroneous info.

[@m0guel453]

I’ve never touched the original arcade but i remember being a kid with parents who wouldn’t buy digital games so when I found a plane port in the inflight entertainment, I’d spend many hours glued to the screen playing centipede. Great times.

[@MrPoestyle]

Another great history of another great game . Excellent detail and research as usual , Pat . Thank you !!!! 👍 💯 .

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Glad you enjoyed it, Thank you

[@robertbussie9979]

Another great overview of a classic video game and its ports. Thanks!

[@christianroth812]

OMG I forgot that my Atari Centipede came with the Comic Book and I also forgot about the Centipede Commercial! I ❤️ this channel as it brings me back to things I enjoyed & now remember!

[@olschoolTonyCarter]

"After these messages will be right back." Classic early 90s ABC saturday morning cartoons. Ahh..the memories.

[@KraftLawrence1]

How the hell do only 7% of viewers subscribe? How do enough people who arent subbed even FIND these?

[@opinionsux420noonecares5]

Patman found me. But I subbed. Long live Patman!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

From their KZbin recommendations I would assume

[@idontknowman399]

@@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries You're the second suggestion that comes up if you search arcade history!

[@danieldizon5306]

Great video, love how in depth you go with the history

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Glad you enjoyed! Thank you

[@PhillBowser]

Love your content on old school arcade games, keep it up!

[@jamesmoss3424]

I play centipede a lot at the arcade when I was a kid I like it and it's a true arcade classic. 😀👍🎮

[@BlackburnBigdragon]

There are some arcade games where the sounds it made are so damn distinctive that if you just heard some of the sound effects, you could identify that game. This is one of those games. Very unique sounds. Very memorable. Defender, of course Berzerk, Space Invaders, Galaxian, Gorf, and Frogger are perfect examples of games that you can just identify by their sound. On a side note, I love how the designer for Centipede said that she didn't want to design a game about killing things with lasers, and despite the claims that what the player controls is a man with a magic wand, clearly, if you look at the thing, on the screen, it's clearly a space ship. And it's shooting things with lasers. And the same thing with Millipede. Supposed to be an archer. But the archer looks suspiciously like a space ship that's firing arrow shaped rockets. And I just LOVE the face of the Millipede on the cabinet on the left of the screen. It just looks like it's kind of.. perplexed and confused about life. It has a serious, "WTF!?!" look on it's face.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

LOL, I thought the same thing regarding the various killing in this game. All of those games can be identified just by their sounds just like you said

[@jasonshouseoffunandvideoga7169]

What an awesome vid as always pat! 👍

[@Rando1975]

Enjoyed Centipede, but absolutely loved Millipede!

[@RealmMan]

I can still hear that spider in my nightmares...

[@CoachTabe]

40 years after first playing this game and I learned from this video that there's 2-player simultaneous play options. Can't believe I never knew that before.

[@tyshaunmiles1973]

That's because there wasn't.

[@xeroinfinity]

i have the Atari 5200 w/trackball and i think it looks and plays as well as the arcade. Plays a lot better than public arcades because the trackball was always dirty and never worked 100% imo. Lol Loved this arcade as a kid when it was released. This and Galaga took all my quarters until the 5200 was released. Thanks for sharing!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thank you for watching, never had a chance to try the 5200 with the trackball but I'm sure it was fantastic

[@davidmreyes77]

Perfect video for international women’s day!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Absolutely :-)

[@adrianshappymoments9343]

So glad to hear that I am one of the illustrious 7% subscribed!

[@soulred5195]

Thanks for the video!

[@Hologhoul]

What an excellent video! Fascinating early years snaps, I loved seeing Dona Bailey, really good analysis and then a great comparison at the end. Master System's one was impressive, not sure about replacing all the original in-game sounds though!! Great job, PatmanQC!

[@gideongarcia3331]

Awesome documentary, keep it up PQC!!!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thanks, will do!

[@goryjim1313]

Another quality video! Can’t wait for the next one.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thanks again!

[@chriswalker8361]

The spider in the 5200 port looks really cool...it looks to be crawling

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Yes it does, it was really well done

[@Risperdali]

Played a ton of the 5200 version -- probably the best home conversion!

[@GLASSGHOSTHUNTERS]

Awesome way to wind down my night!

[@John231984]

Pew pew pew

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

LOL

[@rickycole4061]

The only version I ever owned was the atari2600 one . I have now played them all and I love the 7800

[@sinbinn74]

I had to LOL at "If you've never had the chance to kill some bugs while doing some mushrooms, be sure and check this game out."

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

:-) Thanks a lot my friend

[@Gecko1993HogheadIncOfficial]

I love Centipede! I remember getting a score of 9,999,999,999. It’s timeless, and I never grow tired of playing this classic! Edit: I WANT to play Centipede Chaos SO BADLY... I just wish that I could play it in real life.

[@MrClawt]

One of my favs from being a kid. Great video, I haven't laughed so hard in a long time at the silly bits.

[@Krullmatic]

Thanks Pat, for another killer doc!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thank you very much

[@JohnDRobinsonelectronicdrums]

another wonderful documentary as ever, sir! Always superb entertainment!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Glad you enjoyed it!Thanks

[@JohnDRobinsonelectronicdrums]

@@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries you're welcome!

[@thinkordye]

Finally I’ve waited so long

[@stt5v2002]

I was was playing Centipede during the golden age of arcades in the the early 80s. It is one of the few games that is old enough to have "always been there". But until this video, I never realized that the player icon was supposed to be a magic wand. I don't even recall anything on the game that provided information of this type. The trak ball controller is the right idea, but if the operators didn't maintain it the ball would become stiff and skip. The color scheme was a major draw, as most popular games at the time had very simple or even monochrome color schemes.

[@58jharris]

Until a few years ago I thought the player icon was a snake head lol.

[@nickm3210]

Love the content!!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thank you so much

[@sspotter1978]

Pat I just bought a Gameworks version of Centipede. It's a sit down, stained and varnished solid wood cabinet with a larger 25" crt. Just awesome. My basement is happy.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Holy moly, that sounds fantastic

[@themanwithnoname4723]

One of my first home gaming experiences... Atari 2600 ... 1986... Kangaroo, and Mario Bros

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

I am right there with you my friend

[@donnierussellii4659]

Finally, my favorite arcade game. I have the little scaled down cabinet version, and the 2600 cart. Even used to play the game com port Lol.

[@SolCresta3405]

Nice. I'm hoping you do a history on other games like Time Crisis, Virtua Cop, or Metal Slug eventually. I always wanted to learn or hear about how those franchises started.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

They are on the list

[@SolCresta3405]

@@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries Excellent! I look forward to them.

[@Ottophil]

I’m subscribed and always thumbs up your stuff dude. Your channel is good content every time. Even games i don’t like or remember! Though usually thats not the case

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

I appreciate that! Thanks for the nice words

[@youvsyou945]

Arcade and Atari 5200 w/Trak-ball are the versions of centipede to get!

[@adamcrowley8198]

Good job my dude keep it up

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thanks, will do!

[@puekawNEpuyrruh]

Grew up with this on the Atari 2600 !!! Loved it !

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

You and me both my friend

[@joseenriquesauraguerra4358]

Thanks for this walk down memory lane... :D

[@WillWatchAnything]

The 2600 version albeit very basic is also very addicting. The ColecoVision release gets real fast real quick even on the easiest setting.

[@Nashxyzz]

Centipede chaos (2019) was an update to the arcade game. The original was an endless shooter and looped after the third boss.

[@buckfifty37]

I love the channel and I suggest that you do Road Rash and Tecmo Bowl. Please, and I'm a subscriber!

[@stephenlozano2816]

New Wave Toys had a Kickstarter a few years ago that produced a high quality 1/6 scale 12” arcade cabinet that looked and played exactly like the 1980 vintage arcade game. I’m lucky enough to have backed it and it was the first in my growing collection of 1/6 scale vintage arcade cabinets.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

That sounds incredible, I will have to look it up. Thanks

[@Nay089]

One of my all time favorites

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

It is definitely a classic

[@bmkretrogaming7634]

Will be including a recommendation, and a link to your video on my channel's review video of the Atari 5200 port Wednesday.

[@JW666]

The first Centipede game I played was the Game Boy version and I still like it, I don't mind it being a bit slow =)

[@Inuzika]

Seriously underestimated how complicated this game is. The logic comprehension required to build something like this is pretty intense, I mean, ignoring everything but the centipede you've got 12 ways that it can attack.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

I guess that's why it's such an enduring classic

[@PosthumusArt]

Excellent vid

[@TheAnkMan]

"Killing some bugs while doing mushrooms" ROTFL Nice one Pat! :-)

[@BobAwesomeschannel]

Great way to start my morning!

[@bmkretrogaming7634]

Excellent documentary Patman! Centipede is an excellent fixed shooter on any platform. I personally have, and enjoy the Atari VCS/2600, and IntelliVision ports currently.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thank you very much. I really liked the Atari version

[@SK-le1gm]

I used to play *Apeiron* obsessively. If you’ve heard about Ambrosia Software, They made amazing games. Would be stoked to see a video about them!