Centipede (1998 video game)

Last updated

Centipede
Centipede 1998 Cover.jpg
North American PC cover art
Developer(s) Leaping Lizard Software (Microsoft Windows, Dreamcast)
Real Sports Games (PlayStation)
Westlake Interactive (Macintosh)
Publisher(s) Hasbro Interactive
MacSoft (Macintosh)
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Dreamcast, Macintosh
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
PlayStation
  • NA: June 1, 1999
  • EU: 1999
Dreamcast
  • NA: November 23, 1999 [2]
Macintosh
May 2001
Genre(s) Shoot 'em up
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

Centipede is a 1998 action game developed by Leaping Lizard Software and published by Hasbro Interactive. It is a remake of Atari's 1981 arcade game of the same name .

Contents

Gameplay consists of a series of rounds that are completed once the player eliminates the centipede(s) that wind down the playing field. Obstacles such as spiders, fleas, and scorpions complicate the game. At the same time, a population of mushrooms grows between the player and each centipede. Optionally, the player is tasked with rescuing villagers and bystanders and preventing damage to key structures; although ignoring these tasks does not prevent the player from being able to complete the round regardless.

Gameplay

Screenshots of the original version (bottom) and the 1998 sequel (top). Centipede Screen comparisms.jpg
Screenshots of the original version (bottom) and the 1998 sequel (top).

The game can be played in two game modes: "Arcade" and "Adventure" — the latter marking a departure from the original version. Arcade mode allows the player to experience a ported version of the original arcade Centipede, with some enhancements.

In the adventure campaign, one completes a series of levels linked by a storyline. Here, the player encounters both the original enemies (centipede, spider, flea, scorpion, poisonous mushroom) and a new array as well (dragonfly, butterfly, firebug, icebug, killer mushroom, etc.), some of which are capable of throwing projectiles to destroy the shooter, and others capable of altering mushrooms. If an enemy or projectile contacts the shooter, the player loses a life.

Campaign story

Even though the graphics were 3D, they consisted of simple geometrical si shapes. There is the hexagonal head of the scorpion, as seen in the game. Centipede 1998 Scorpion.jpg
Even though the graphics were 3D, they consisted of simple geometrical si shapes. There is the hexagonal head of the scorpion, as seen in the game.

The story centers around a collective of villages known as "Weedom" and a prophecy that foretells their imminent destruction. Each century, an army of large insects invades Weedom at the hands of their leader, the Queen Pede. The player assumes the role of Wally Gudmunzsun, who is tasked with the destruction of the invading insect army, while piloting a craft known simply as "The Shooter".

Reception

The game received mixed reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. [3] [4] [5] Chris Charla of NextGen said of the PlayStation version in its September 1999 issue, "A solid 3D shooter with a nice, if young, story makes this a great game for your little brother, but don't be surprised if you find yourself playing a few games, too." [25] Five issues later, Adam Pavlacka said that the Dreamcast version "may look good in 3D, but the classic version of the game is still more fun." [24] GamePro said of the same Dreamcast version: "Who will dig on Centipede, and who will bag on it? Old schoolers will feel the pull of sentimentality, and may find themselves caught up in the newer, fiercer version of Centipede contained within. Twitch[y] gamers will also enjoy Centipede, but anyone not in those two classes may find the game tiresome and repetitive. Give Centipede a chance, you might just catch the bug." [28] [lower-alpha 4]

The PC version won Computer Games Strategy Plus ' 1998 "Classic Game of the Year" award. The staff praised the graphics, addictive gameplay and the game's enhancements. [29]

Notes

  1. Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Dreamcast version each a score of 4/10, one gave it 4.5/10, and the other gave it 6/10.
  2. In Electronic Gaming Monthly 's review of the PlayStation version, one critic gave it a score of 2.5/10, another gave it 6/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 3.5/10.
  3. In GameFan 's viewpoint of the PlayStation version, three critics gave it each a score of 65, 62, and 48.
  4. GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 4.5/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, and two 4/5 scores for control and fun factor.

Related Research Articles

<i>Millennium Soldier: Expendable</i> 1999 video game

Millennium Soldier: Expendable, known in Japan as Seitai Heiki Expendable, and in North America as just Expendable, is a run and gun video game that was released by Rage Software for Microsoft Windows in 1999. It was later ported to the Dreamcast and PlayStation consoles. A remake of the game, entitled Expendable: Rearmed, was released for Android in 2012. It is in the format of a modern arcade game. The player starts with 7 "credits" and can continue until running out of credits. A second player can join the game at any time by pressing start.

<i>Worms Armageddon</i> 1999 video game

Worms Armageddon is a 1999 turn-based strategy video game developed and published by Team17. It was originally released for the Microsoft Windows operating system, and was later ported to the PlayStation, Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, and Game Boy Color. Worms Armageddon is the third installment in the Worms series. In the game, the player controls a team of up to eight earthworms tasked with defeating an opposing team using a wide range of weapons at their disposal. The game takes place on a destructible and customizable two-dimensional board and is characterized by cartoonish graphics and a unique brand of humour.

<i>Sega Rally 2</i> 1998 video game

Sega Rally 2 is an arcade racing game developed by Sega AM Annex for the Model 3 arcade hardware. It is the sequel to 1994's Sega Rally Championship. The game was first released in arcades in February 1998, and was later ported by Smilebit to the Sega Dreamcast, becoming one of the console's earliest titles when it was released in Japan on January 28, 1999. The Sega Dreamcast version was released in Europe as a launch title on October 14, 1999, and then in North America on November 27. A PC version was released in Japan and Europe that same year, with the North American release following suit in September 2000, where it was published by Mattel Interactive.

<i>Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness</i> 2000 video game

Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness is a maze chase video game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation in 2000. It was later released for the Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance. A remake of Ms. Pac-Man (1982), players control the titular character in her quest to stop a witch named Mesmerelda from stealing the Gems of Virtue. The game was well-received upon release, with critics applauding its simplicity and faithfulness to the arcade original. A sequel was in development around 2006, but was cancelled for unknown reasons.

<i>Incoming</i> (1998 video game) 1998 video game

Incoming is a 3D shooter video game developed and published by Rage Software. The game was first released for Microsoft Windows in mid-1998, and was followed by a Dreamcast version, which was released in Japan on December 17, 1998, in Europe on October 14, 1999, and in North America on September 15, 1999. Set in the near-future of 2009, the game primarily revolves around controlling vehicles and turrets to fight alien invaders of Earth in one of the campaign modes, the arcade mode, and with or against another player. Some levels include brief real-time strategy segments.

<i>Hydro Thunder</i> 1999 video game

Hydro Thunder is an arcade inshore powerboat racing video game originally released by Midway Games in February 1999 and later released for the Sega Dreamcast as a launch title later that year. It was also released for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in early 2000. This game is part of Midway's Thunder series of racing games, which includes Offroad Thunder, 4 Wheel Thunder, and Arctic Thunder. Hydro Thunder Hurricane, a sequel to Hydro Thunder, was later released for the Xbox 360 on July 27, 2010 on Xbox Live Arcade.

<i>Urban Chaos</i> 1999 video game

Urban Chaos is the debut video game of English developer Mucky Foot Productions with its initial release in 1999 on Microsoft Windows. It was subsequently released on the PlayStation and Dreamcast. The game was published by Eidos Interactive.

<i>Re-Volt</i> 1999 video game

Re-Volt is a racing video game designed by Paul Phippen and Simon Harrison. It was developed by Acclaim Studios London and published by Acclaim Entertainment for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, PlayStation and Dreamcast.

<i>South Park: Chefs Luv Shack</i> 1999 game show-style party video game

South Park: Chef's Luv Shack is a 2D game show-style party video game and is a sequel to the 1998 video game South Park, itself based on the American animated sitcom of the same name. Developed by Acclaim Studios Austin and published by Acclaim Entertainment, it was released in 1999 for the Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Its gameplay involves playing minigames and the ability to play against other players in a challenge for the most points. It also involves trivia questions about South Park and other topics.

<i>Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2</i> 2000 video game

Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 is a boxing game for the Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and Game Boy Advance. It is the sequel to Ready 2 Rumble Boxing.

<i>F-1 World Grand Prix</i> 1998 video game

F-1 World Grand Prix, developed by Paradigm Entertainment, is a Formula One racing game/sim first released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64 game console and to later platforms including the Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation, and Game Boy Color. The Nintendo 64 version is based on the 1997 Formula One season, featuring each of the 17 circuits from the season and all 22 drivers, with the exceptions of Jacques Villeneuve and the MasterCard Lola team.

<i>Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation 2</i> 1998 video game

Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation 2, also known as just Monaco Grand Prix or Racing Simulation: Monaco Grand Prix, is a Formula One racing game developed and published by Ubisoft for the Windows, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and Dreamcast. It was released in 1998–1999. A sequel, Racing Simulation 3, was released in 2002.

<i>Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue</i> 1999 video game

Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! is a 1999 platform game developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Activision and Disney Interactive. Based on Disney/Pixar's 1999 computer animated film Toy Story 2, it was released for the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, and Macintosh in late 1999, while a Dreamcast version followed in 2000. The computer versions were released under the title Disney/Pixar's Action Game, Toy Story 2. A different version, a side-scrolling platform game titled Toy Story 2, was also released for the Game Boy Color in 1999.

<i>NFL Blitz 2000</i> 1999 video game

NFL Blitz 2000 is a video game released in the arcades in 1999 and then ported to the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, and Game Boy Color. It is the third game in the NFL Blitz series.

<i>Test Drive 6</i> 1999 video game

Test Drive 6 is a racing video game developed by Pitbull Syndicate for PlayStation, Microsoft Windows and Dreamcast. In the United States the game was published by Infogrames North America, while in Europe the game was published by Cryo Interactive. The game featured 37 licensed cars, plus four police car variants. As a first for the series, cars from General Motors are not playable in this game, instead they appear as traffic cars. The soundtrack featured industrial rock and techno music from artists such as Fear Factory, Lunatic Calm and Cirrus.

<i>NBA Hoopz</i> 2001 video game

NBA Hoopz is a 2001 basketball video game published by Midway. It is the sequel to NBA Hangtime and NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC. Hoopz was the only 3-on-3, arcade-style basketball video game available during the 2000–01 NBA season. Shaquille O'Neal is featured on the game cover.

<i>JoJos Bizarre Adventure</i> (video game) 1998 fighting video game

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a fighting video game developed by Capcom based on Hirohiko Araki's manga of the same title. The game was developed by the same team who was responsible for the Street Fighter III series.

<i>Championship Surfer</i> 2000 video game

Championship Surfer is an extreme sports video game developed by Krome Studios, published by Mattel Interactive in North American and GAME Studios in Europe, and released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation and Dreamcast in 2000.

<i>Le Mans 24 Hours</i> (video game) 1999 video game

Le Mans 24 Hours is a video game released for the PlayStation, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, and Microsoft Windows. The Dreamcast version was ported and published by Sega in Japan on 15 March 2001, while the PlayStation 2 version was ported and published by the same company on 13 June. Based on the famous 24 hours of Le Mans race in France, the player is invited to race the entire 24-hour endurance course or take part in a simpler arcade mode. The game also featured tracks such as Bugatti Circuit, Brno Circuit, Road Atlanta, Suzuka Circuit, Donington Park and Circuit de Catalunya, as well as a weather and night system.

<i>Q*bert</i> (1999 video game) 1999 video game

Q*bert is a remake of the 1982 arcade game of the same name with 3D graphics. It was developed by Artech Studios and released by Hasbro Interactive on the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows in 1999, on the Dreamcast in 2000, and on Mac OS in 2001.

References

  1. GameSpot staff (October 23, 1998). "New Releases". GameSpot . Fandom. Archived from the original on June 9, 2000. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  2. Justice, Brandon (October 29, 1999). "Centipede Squiggles Past Original Release Date". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Centipede for Dreamcast". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Centipede for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Centipede for PlayStation". GameRankings. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019.
  6. Thorpe, Damien. "Centipede (DC) - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  7. D'Aprile, Jason (June 25, 1999). "Centipede (PS)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  8. D'Aprile, Jason (November 26, 1998). "Centipede". Computer Games Strategy Plus . Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on July 9, 2003. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  9. Jepsen, Dawn (March 1999). "A Bug's Death (Centipede Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World . No. 176. Ziff Davis. p. 157. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  10. Johnston, Chris; Boyer, Crispin; Chou, Che; Hager, Dean (January 2000). "Centipede". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 126. Ziff Davis. p. 221. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  11. Johnston, Chris; Chou, Che; Hager, Dean; Smith, Shawn (July 1999). "Centipede (PS)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 120. Ziff Davis. p. 128. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  12. Fitzloff, Jay (July 1999). "Centipede (PS) [author mislabeled as "Paul Anderson"]". Game Informer . No. 75. FuncoLand. p. 62. Archived from the original on May 22, 2000. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  13. Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (July 1999). "Centipede (PS)". GameFan . Vol. 7, no. 7. Shinno Media. p. 12. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  14. Johnny B. (January 1999). "Centipede 3D [sic] Review (PC)". GameRevolution . CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  15. Liu, Johnny (June 1999). "Centipede Review (PS)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  16. Stahl, Ben (December 3, 1999). "Centipede Review (DC)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on November 25, 2004. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  17. Shamma, Tahsin (December 16, 1998). "Centipede Review (PC)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 12, 2004. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  18. Stahl, Ben (June 1, 1999). "Centipede Review (PS)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 19, 2004. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  19. BenT (January 4, 2000). "Centipede". PlanetDreamcast . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  20. Gantayat, Anoop (November 22, 1999). "Centipede (DC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  21. Blevins, Tal (November 16, 1998). "Centipede (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  22. Harris, Craig (June 1, 1999). "Centipede (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  23. Sammis, Ian (September 2001). "Centipede". MacADDICT . No. 61. Imagine Media. p. 48. Archived from the original on August 22, 2001. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  24. 1 2 Pavlacka, Adam (February 2000). "Centipede (DC)". NextGen . No. 62. Imagine Media. p. 92. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  25. 1 2 Charla, Chris (September 1999). "Centipede (PS)". NextGen. No. 57. Imagine Media. p. 87. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  26. Kujawa, Kraig (July 1999). "Centipede". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . Vol. 2, no. 10. Ziff Davis. p. 61. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  27. Bottorff, James (1998). "'Centipede' should stay in arcade". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Gannett Company. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  28. Scary Larry (December 18, 1999). "Centipede Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro . IDG. Archived from the original on November 2, 2004. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  29. CGSP staff (February 11, 1999). "The Best of 1998 (Classic Game of the Year)". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. Retrieved July 8, 2023.