In Centipede , the player is trapped in the Enchanted Forest, armed with a magic wand to ward off the forest's insect denizens. The player must use the magic wand to shoot sparks at approaching insects to score points by pressing the controller button. Holding down the controller button will set the wand to rapid-fire shots.
The game features various enemy insects, including the Centipede, which attacks in 12 waves, each with a unique pattern of heads and body segments. The Centipede's behavior changes as it moves through the waves, and destroying it will reward the player with points.
The game also features other enemies, such as Spiders, Fleas, and Scorpions, which have different behaviors and point values. The game includes various obstacles, like mushrooms, which can aid or hinder the player's progress.
The game offers four difficulty levels and two-player variations, including alternating turns, dual player competition, and team play. Players can earn bonus wands for reaching specific score milestones.
The scoring system rewards players for destroying enemy insects, collecting mushrooms, and avoiding obstacles. The game ends when all three starting magic wands are lost, leaving the player with no way to defend themselves against the increasingly aggressive insect population.