Millipede

Grade: B-

Okay I am going to assume everyone has played some incarnation of Centipede. This is Atari’s improvement of said legendary game. I have not played Centipede on the NES (probably because it does not exist) and have not broken out my Atari 5200 in a while so I will trust other reviewers who claim it is indeed an improvement over Centipede. However, this game was made sometime after the earlier Atari versions and still looks like an Atari game. What really irked me the first time I played the game is the fact that the playing area takes up less than three quarters of the screen. Thank goodness for a big screen TV. Just imagine playing this sucker on Agent J’s little 5” monitor, yikes! Although the graphics are nothing special this is certainly an adequate version of Centipede. There are extra features like DDT boxes that take out any centipedes near them when shot.

Positives:

You want to play a classic Atari classic, well here’s your chance. This is an adequate version of Centipede.

Glaring Negatives:

You never liked boring old Centipede, well um, then walk away now. Graphics look like they are from the Atari 5200.

Graphics and Sound: Poor

The graphics are crummy and the sound is lame.

Gameplay and Controls: Good

The controls are good. You can move around the grey area which gives you some flexibility.

Features: Few

The DDT boxes are nice and there are some critters to shoot for bonus points, but nothing too special here. Also there is a variable level, choose B for a greater challenge if you dare.

Fun?: Depends

I shall remind you again this is basically Centipede. If you are yearning for some Centipede this game is very fun. If you are not, it is only decent.

Challenge: Decent

The game gets pretty tough around the 15^th level or so. There are tons of spiders bouncing around other critters bearing down on you.

Replay: Some

Just keep playing Millipede until you are sick of it.

2 Player: Yes

Two player mode would have been so cool if you could have played together at the same time. But, alas you cannot. It is strictly alternating 2 player.

Online Manual?: No

I haven’t seen one but you won’t need it.

Bottom Line: Maybe

The game is somewhat rare and somewhat fun. It is certainly basic and has poor graphics. But if you remember Centipede and Millipede fondly, this game will not disappoint.

Reviewer: Agent K

Company: HAL

Rarity: A little Rare B

Expertise: Decent, Level 25 – 123,000 points.

2^nd Opinion – Agent J – B

Not my favorite Atari classic but it is faithfully done. I don't get why the game doesn't take up the whole screen though...

Tips and Tricks

Stay as close to the middle as possible so the spiders don’t get you when they spawn from the side.

Don’t let the centipedes hit the bottom, while you don’t die they spawn new ones and clog up the bottom making it difficult to maneuver.

Get the guys that fall down on the sides. They are a real pain when they start crawling along the bottom. Plus they give you an extra DDT box when shot.

Points are critical in Millipede. Every 20,000 gives you an extra guy. So shoot everything you can especially the beetles that walk across the center. They are worth a grand per pop.