Centipede is an arcade-style fixed shooter game developed for the Atari 5200. Players control a small ship at the bottom of the screen that can slide left and right to shoot lasers at a centipede advancing from the top. The objective is to destroy the segmented insect as it winds down through a field of mushrooms, which can also be shot for points. Additionally, the player must avoid or shoot other creatures like spiders, scorpions, and fleas. With its fast-paced gameplay and increasing difficulty, Centipede is a classic title in the shoot 'em up genre.