Introduction
Released in 1982 by Atari, Millipede is the fast-paced sequel to the hit arcade game Centipede. Built on the same fixed-shooter formula but with higher intensity and greater variety of enemies, Millipede introduced scrolling gameplay, new obstacles, and a more complex scoring system. It expanded the frantic, insect-blasting chaos that made its predecessor a classic.
Development and History
- Developer: Atari, Inc.
- Publisher: Atari, Inc.
- Release Date: 1982
- Platform: Atari color arcade hardware
Millipede was developed by Ed Logg and Dave Staugas, the same core team behind Centipede. It was designed to build on that game’s success while offering more variety and difficulty for experienced players. The game kept the original’s signature trackball controls but added new enemies, changing attack patterns, and scrolling levels to freshen up the action.
While Centipede was notable for drawing in a wide audience (especially female players), Millipede skewed slightly more difficult and appealed more to high-score chasers.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
Players control an archer at the bottom of the screen who fires upward at waves of insects descending through a field of mushrooms. The core goal remains: destroy the segmented millipede before it reaches the bottom.
Key features:
- Trackball controls for precise movement and rapid firing
- Millipede segments behave like the centipede but move faster and spawn more frequently
- New enemies add variety and complexity. Earwigs poison mushrooms when they pass over them. Bees move quickly and are tougher to destroy. Inchworms slow down enemy movement when hit. Spiders move erratically across the screen. DDT Bombs explode to destroy nearby enemies and award bonus points. Ladybugs, dragonflies, and mosquitoes have unique movement patterns and effects.
- Bonus rounds and mushroom-clearing sequences add variety
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Although it didn’t surpass the cultural impact of Centipede, Millipede was still a respected and well-received arcade title.
- Recognized for its intense difficulty and skill-based scoring
- Frequently included in Atari retro collections and plug-and-play systems
- Served as the final major arcade game in the Centipede series during Atari’s golden age
- Its more intense pacing paved the way for faster fixed-shooters in the arcade scene
- Still used in high-score competitions and retro arcade tournaments
Fun Facts
- Millipede was originally going to be called Centipede II
- The game uses many of the same sound effects and sprites as its predecessor
- Players can earn extra lives by reaching specific score milestones
- The DDT bombs function like strategic grenades, allowing for planned mass kills
- Some versions featured a cocktail cabinet design for two-player alternating mode
Conclusion
Millipede took the Centipede formula and cranked it up—more enemies, more effects, and more action. While it didn’t redefine the genre, it refined and intensified it, delivering one of the most challenging and rewarding fixed shooters of the early 1980s.