Atari Centipede Emulator Brings Arcade Classic to Commodore 64

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Norbert Kehrer recently found time to revisit retro programming and created something fascinating: an Atari “Centipede” emulator for the Commodore 64.

Originally released in 1981, Atari’s “Centipede” became a staple in arcades, running on hardware powered by a 6502 CPU and featuring Atari’s custom POKEY sound chip. Translating that experience to the Commodore 64—a home computer from the same era—is no small task. Yet Kehrer’s emulator takes a clever approach, using the C64’s 6510 processor (a close relative of the 6502) to run the original game code directly. This means the gameplay remains faithful to the arcade version.

The emulator simulates the arcade machine’s specialized video and sound hardware with custom Assembly language routines. This ensures the core mechanics and feel of “Centipede” are preserved. However, the C64’s graphical limitations required some compromises. Compared to the arcade hardware, the C64’s lower resolution and limited sprite and color capabilities mean the visuals are scaled back.

Launching the emulator is simple: load the “centipede.prg” file on your C64 or a compatible emulator. The program begins with a configuration screen where players can adjust options like language, number of lives, and other settings. These correspond to the DIP switch settings of the original arcade machine. Starting the game is as easy as pressing the fire button, with “free play” mode enabled—no coins required.

Kehrer’s project offers Commodore 64 enthusiasts a chance to experience a true arcade classic on their machine. The program is available for download as a .prg file and can be run on C64 emulators or transferred to floppy disks for use on actual hardware. Links can be found below the article.

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