Centipede as a first project?

Spunkmeyer

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Hi all,

I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a Centipede project as a first project. I've located one that plays, but needs some work.

Is this game a pretty solid one to do as a first project? I know that some of the Atari games of that era are somewhat unreliable, but don't know if either the upright or cabaret versions of that game fall into that category.

I've never done any electronics work, apart from modding an Xbox many years ago, but I'm not afraid to give it a try. I just don't want to make my first one a notoriously difficult game to maintain and then quit the hobby altogether as a result.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
 
I have owned my centipede since 1988.

at one point i replaced the monitor with a rebuilt g07 (around 1990 or so)

new overlay around the time I found arcade shop (1995???? maybe)

new rollers and bearings (1997-1998)

brand new repro trackball free from dave at ram controls, thanks again dave (late 2009 i think)

I think thats all i ever had to do to it.
 
Thanks for the reply - sounds like, even though it's a mini, parts aren't too hard to come by if needed.

The one I'm looking at will definitely require some trackball work.
 
I just ordered the roller/bearing kit for my Millipede from arcadeshop and they have all the control parts for Centipede available too. Repro art is fairly easy to come by from a couple places so sourcing parts and pieces shouldn't be too difficult. If the Centipedes came with matsushita monitors and yours still has one, from what I've seen you may want to just replace it if it has issues, those things seem to be notoriously poor quality. Other than that, Centi/Milli seem to rarely have issues and once you get it running well, you'll likely not have to do anything to it aside from lubing the bearings in the trackball periodically.
 
Centipede is a great game to start with. They're fairly robust once you do all the routine maintenance on them.
 
Yeah, do it!! Show us the pictures when your done. Your going to take pics right?
 
Thanks, everyone, for your input. If all goes according to plan, I'll be picking up a Centipede cabaret machine later today. I'll post photos once it's actually here!
 
Centipede Project

Good choice. I had a mini that the trucking company smashed to pieces. I rebuilt the cabinet, replaced the monitor tube and it still works like a champ. I think Centipede is one of the more reliable classics out there.
 
Well, I went ahead and did it. I'm now out of MAME and 60-in-1 territory, and into the real deal! :D

Paid $325 -- which was probably too much, I know -- but that was a haggle down from $420. It's nearly impossible to get cabinets into my basement due to the narrow staircase so minis are my best option... and I know these don't come up for sale very often.
 

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Centipede minis are neat little machines. I know people who don't like cabarets, but really like that one because of the large monitor.

How much work are you planning on putting into it?
 
Centipede minis are neat little machines. I know people who don't like cabarets, but really like that one because of the large monitor.

How much work are you planning on putting into it?

New CPO, rollers/bearings on the trackball, new woodgrain laminate on sides, and probably repaint coin door, etc. The monitor has some burn from another game, but frankly I'm still scared of that part of these machines. :)
 
New CPO, rollers/bearings on the trackball, new woodgrain laminate on sides, and probably repaint coin door, etc. The monitor has some burn from another game, but frankly I'm still scared of that part of these machines. :)

I don't like messing with monitors, except for using whatever the factory put on `em for adjustments. :D

Sounds like a good plan. It'll look pretty minty with all that done.
 
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