Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Lafferty
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Arcade shooter in which you take down waves of mutated bugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Centipede: Infestation
What's It About?
CENIPEDE: INFESTATION centers on an orphaned teen, Max, who is wandering a post-apocalyptic wasteland, and using his speed with a variety of weapons to hold off an invasion of giant, mutated bugs that attack ferociously and frantically. Along the way, he encounters a young girl who has seeds to grow vegetation on the planet and another teen-aged boy (who is actually Max's brother) who relies on strength, not weapon speed, to dispatch the insect horde. While there is a story, it takes a distant backseat to the action, which is arcade-like and focuses on scoring the most points per level by annihilating as many bugs as possible (including the big centipedes at the end of each level) as fast as possible without taking damage.
Is It Any Good?
Centipede: Infestation is a reflexive game with minor undertones of strategy. It is a far cry from the original Centipede game, and somewhat repetitious in the action it offers. On a positive note, the levels and environments change and create their own challenge, and there are enough power-ups to allow players to think through the levels and record high scores. There is definitely homage paid to the original, but Centipede Infestation, while mildly entertaining, just doesn't capture that same magic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how cartoon game violence differs from real violence.
A discussion can also be held on how much time should be allotted to gaming and how to set practical limits.
A chat can be had on how to make the most of a gaming experience and how to select the right games to play.
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo 3DS , Nintendo Wii
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Atari
- Release date : October 25, 2011
- Genre : Arcade
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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