Centipede vs Salamander
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Centipede is a vertically-oriented shoot 'em up arcade game produced by Atari, Inc. in 1980, designed by Ed Logg and Dona Bailey. Players take on the role of an elf using a magic wand to defend a prized mushroom garden from a giant centipede, scorpions, spiders, and fleas. Known for its historical significance as one of the first arcade coin-operated games to attract a significant female player base, the game challenges players to clear the playing field while navigating around obstacles and increasingly aggressive insect swarms.
Released in 1986 by Konami, Salamander is a legendary side-scrolling and vertically scrolling shoot 'em up that serves as a spin-off to the Gradius series. Players navigate the iconic Vic Viper and Lord British ships through bizarre, organic environments to defeat the eponymous alien threat. Famed for its unique power-up system that discards the traditional capsule meter for a simpler instant-upgrade mechanic, Salamander also introduced simultaneous two-player cooperative play and alternating vertical and horizontal scrolling stages to the genre.
- Iconic retro arcade gameplay
- Historical significance in gaming
- Engaging and challenging difficulty
- Accessible yet deep scoring system
- Simultaneous two-player cooperative gameplay
- Streamlined instant power-up system
- Varied horizontal and vertical scrolling stages
- Memorable bio-mechanical art design and soundtrack
- Limited modern gameplay variety compared to modern titles
- Repetitive loop over extended play sessions
- Difficulty spikes significantly in later rounds
- High difficulty level can be punishing for newcomers
- Short overall campaign length typical of 1980s arcade games
- Limited modern platform availability compared to contemporaries
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Centipede
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Save the peaceful Wee People from the ruthless QueenPede in this 3D remake of the Atari classic.
Pilot your Star Fighter through alien bio-mechanical hordes in this classic arcade shooter.
Alternatives to Salamander
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Experience the legendary arcade space shooter with intense sci-fi combat and classic power-ups.
Pilot the Vic Viper through relentless waves of alien terror in this legendary arcade shooter.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataSalamander offers simultaneous two‑player co‑op and varied scrolling stages but is short and very hard, while Centipede provides the classic endless arcade loop with iconic gameplay and a simpler alternating two‑player mode.
Key differences
- •Salamander supports simultaneous local co‑op; Centipede only offers alternating two‑player mode.
- •Salamander features both horizontal and vertical scrolling with boss fights; Centipede is a single static screen shooter.
- •Centipede’s gameplay is endless high‑score focused; Salamander has a finite campaign with limited length.
- •Salamander’s difficulty is described as punishing for newcomers; Centipede has spikes but is generally less unforgiving.
- •Both are paid one‑time purchases with identical ESRB E rating, but neither lists modern platform support.
Gameplay & fun factor
Salamander adds varied scrolling, boss fights and power‑up upgrades, whereas Centipede repeats a single screen.
Platform availability
Neither product specifies modern platform support; both are classic arcade titles.
Pricing & value
Both are paid one‑time purchases; no price differences are given.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Salamander offers simultaneous two‑player co‑op split‑screen; Centipede only has alternating two‑player mode.
Content & replayability
Centipede’s endless waves and high‑score focus give longer replay loops than Salamander’s short campaign.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both are noted as challenging; Salamander is punishing for newcomers, Centipede spikes later rounds.
Graphics & performance
Both are retro 1980s arcade graphics; Salamander’s bio‑mechanical art and soundtrack vs Centipede’s iconic simple visuals.
Choose Centipede if…
Players seeking the classic, endless high‑score arcade experience with simple controls.
Choose Salamander if…
Players who want local co‑op, varied stage design, and can handle high difficulty.
Common questions
Is there a price difference between the two games?
Both are listed as paid one‑time purchases; no price difference is provided.
Which game supports simultaneous two‑player play?
Salamander supports simultaneous two‑player cooperative split‑screen; Centipede only offers alternating two‑player mode.
Do either of the games have modern platform releases?
Platform availability is not specified for either title.