Squad Challenge - Centipede (Atari 7800)

[Justin]

 

 

 

 

Centipede
Atari 7800
Controller: JOYSTICK / TRAK-BALL / KEYBOARD / PLAYER'S CHOICE
Difficulty Level: EXPERT
Play on: Real Hardware / Dedicated Console / Emulation OK! ✔
Squad Challenge ends 11:59 pm PST September 30, 2023
Nominated by @Gianna 

 

 

Objective

Play for the highest possible score using the difficulty settings defined in the challenge. Post a photo or YouTube video of your score in this thread. Scores must be achieved between September 1st through September 30th, 2023. Screen captures are not allowed as they are more easily manipulated for falsified scores. Multiple submissions are permitted. The player with the highest score at the end of the competition is the victor!

 

Eligibility

Anyone can join in. All players are welcome!

 

Play Rules

Games may be played on real hardware, Flashback / Mini console, officially released compilation, or emulation, using any controller or keyboard, following all rules and game settings defined in the challenge. Choosing between real hardware or emulation, and choosing which controller to play on is part of formulating your strategy. Enhancements, rewinds, updated and hacked versions of this game are not allowed.

 

Difficulty Level

EXPERT. We are playing Centipede on the EXPERT Difficulty Setting, which provides the most challenging level of gameplay for prodigious adult players of the highest skill levels.

 

Fair Play

Your integrity is everything. Players should play fairly, be honest, and have fun! Falsified scores will result in your immediate removal from the site. It goes without saying that we will not allow cheats, hacks, cartridge frying, enhancements, rewinds, deceitful photo manipulation, subterfuge, or any other dishonest advantage. Everybody hates a cheater.

 

More

To review detailed rules on how to play, please visit the High Score Squad page here: 

 

 

Message

Welcome to our 149th Squad Challenge! This month we're playing Centipede on its EXPERT Difficulty Setting for Atari 7800! This Centipede High Score Squad Challenge is a "Double Feature" that coincides with @Sabertooth's Centipede Recharged Squad Challenge in ClubVCS! We invite you to play in BOTH Squad Challenges, if you can! Special thanks to @Gianna for nominating this game! ROM is attached below. Good luck!

 

 

 

Centipede.A78Centipede.pdf

[Justin]

Let's get the word out about our Club VCS Recharged Squad Challenge!
The more people participating the more fun the challenge!
Spread the word and invite friends to play!

 

[Justin]

This is a MONTH LONG Squad Challenge!
You have through September 30th to post your High Score!
Take the extra time to enjoy the game!

 

 

[TrekMD]

Ah, this is a fun game and very well done for the 7800! 

[Sabertooth]

Kicking the double feature off with 10,470. Playing on Atari50 via the VCS. 

Edited September 2, 2023 by Sabertooth

[Sabertooth]

Love these double features!

[socrates63]

21,333

My first time ever playing 7800 Centipede. The joystick control actually felt pretty good. I downloaded the Centipede trak-ball rom a while ago but haven't gotten around to using my Dragonfly yet.

[greenween]

Getting on the board with 16,208. Playing on a 7800 with a 2600 joystick. 

[socrates63]

32,777

[TrekMD]

Here's my first score...10,597

[Smell Dawg]

Playing on Atari50… man Centipede is rough without a rollerball 😩 (not that the “expert” setting isn’t already working against me enough 😀 )

15,625

[TrekMD]

Small improvement but an improvement, nonetheless... 11,370

[Atari 5200 Guy]

So far 21,795.

[Atari 5200 Guy]

Small improvement. 23,964.

 

[Atari 5200 Guy]

Im slowly getting better. 26,831.

 

[socrates63]

38,894

I really like the way the game plays with a joystick. I'm sure a track ball is a better experience, but I don't feel like I'm being hindered by using a joystick.

[RickR]

16147. Playing on ps1 classic. 

[Atari 5200 Guy]

5 hours ago, socrates63 said:

38,894

I really like the way the game plays with a joystick. I'm sure a track ball is a better experience, but I don't feel like I'm being hindered by using a joystick.

I have tried it with a trackball and it is not the experience you would expect. It doesn't use the trackball mode of the controller, only the joystick mode.  So no matter how hard you spin the ball it makes no difference and it is still eight directions.  I really wish these games would have supported the trackball mode.

[socrates63]

12 hours ago, Atari 5200 Guy said:

I have tried it with a trackball and it is not the experience you would expect. It doesn't use the trackball mode of the controller, only the joystick mode.  So no matter how hard you spin the ball it makes no difference and it is still eight directions.  I really wish these games would have supported the trackball mode.

It is too bad that this game and others don't support the trackball natively out of the box. Have you tried the 7800 Centipede hack that supports the trackball? Or are you describing the experience of the trackball hack?

[RickR]

I was looking at the hack, but I'm not sure we can count it here.  Changes were made (like removing borders and graphical changes).  It is hard to say if gameplay is identical. 

I haven't tried it.  It smacks of effort 🙂  But I do have the hack (actually several versions of it) on the Concerto cart.

 

[socrates63]

I've downloaded all the trackball hacked games but haven't gotten around to setting up my Dragonfly. I'm pretty sure I also have the Concerto but need to find it 😂

I agree that the hack shouldn't be sanctioned for this high score challenge. Even without the possible changes outside the controller, using an analog(?) trackball controller is a big change to the gameplay.

[RickR]

In the meantime, I really mean to try the game on real hardware when time permits.  But that PS1 Classic in my family room is too dang convenient.  Mostly, I think I can do better with a joystick over the PS1 pad. 

[socrates63]

40,995

small improvement but broke 40k!

[TrekMD]

My understanding is that the TB hacks play exactly the same.  It's just changes on the border (with arcade style or dark) and, of course, true TB input.  I think to include the hacks, the scores would have to be separated as the TB control is different and will affect scoring.

[RickR]

17599

Played this time on a real 7800 with a Tac-2 joystick.  I think I prefer the PS1 pad, as holding down these old joystick buttons really hurts my hand!!

 

Edited September 8, 2023 by RickR