Atari’s Centipede Arcade Machine Celebrates Trackball Gaming, Yet Leaves Room for More Features

Hey there, can you pause your gaming session for a sec? Great! I wanted to ask if you’ve ever tried using a trackball for gaming. If not, let me introduce you to the Arcade Classics Atari Centipede, a bartop arcade machine from Basic Fun that’s all about that unique controller experience.

This standalone arcade cabinet is a real eye-catcher, perfect for complementing your retro console collection and a solid choice for trackball enthusiasts. It marks Basic Fun’s first foray into competing with other arcade systems, and while it shares some similarities—both good and bad—this model feels a bit too specialized. It’s like buying a bread maker and then wondering why you can’t make pizza in it. This highlights a need for more versatility in the home arcade scene.

Machines like the Evercade Alpha have started to address this need, offering over 500 classic games thanks to its cartridge system. This gives it an edge over Basic Fun and Arcade1Up in terms of game variety. However, if you’re a fan of trackball classics like Centipede or Millipede, this machine might just hit the right notes for you.

When you unbox the Arcade Classics Atari Centipede, you’ll find that assembly is required. The screen and trackball control panel come pre-assembled, but you’ll need to put together the main cabinet using screws and wooden dowels.

The assembly process isn’t too tricky, especially if you’re handy with flatpack furniture. Each piece is labeled with numbered stickers that match an included manual, guiding you step-by-step. I admit I was a bit annoyed about having to build it, especially since it didn’t significantly reduce the package size, but that might just have been my mood.

Putting together the Arcade Classics Atari Centipede was relatively straightforward. I recommend checking all the included screws, side panels, and parts to ensure everything is there before you start. While I doubt any units would be missing pieces, it’s better to be safe than sorry when you’re halfway through assembly.

The design sticks closely to the bartop cabinet style, resembling many others on the market. This isn’t a bad thing, as it makes assembly easy. It’s essentially a wooden box housing an 8-inch LCD display, connected to a large control panel featuring microswitched buttons and, of course, the trackball.

Now, let’s talk build quality. Basic Fun’s approach is quite similar to Arcade1Up’s, and interestingly, they’re in the process of merging. This suggests both brands might be sourcing their components from the same place, which is evident in the solid feel of the machine, its screen, and button panel.

This Centipede cabinet is visually appealing, with glossy Atari artwork that captures the essence of the original arcade machine. The white panels and the creepy-crawly design replicate the classic look well, and the prints are sharp and vibrant. However, I was a bit let down by the marquee, which uses a large sticker instead of a proper acrylic piece.

The marquee’s design feels a bit too basic for the price point. An illuminated banner would have enhanced its visual appeal compared to the Evercade Alpha and similar Arcade1Up models. While it’s not a dealbreaker, it’s a small detail that could sway some buyers toward other options.

Overall, the design is functional and stands out, but I do have a few suggestions for improvement. I’m not a fan of the barrel jack power adapter; I’d prefer to see USB-C at this price range. A standard connector would offer more flexibility for setups with multiple machines and reduce the risk of mixing up power supplies.

I’m also skeptical about the “rub-resistant” coating on the control deck protecting the decals. A Perspex cover would have been a better choice for keeping it scratch-free. Additionally, the plastic covering on the screen and controls is a pain to remove after assembly, as it tends to get caught in the joints. You can take it off before putting everything together, but that risks scratching the parts.

Let’s get to the main attraction: the trackball. It’s a rare feature in gaming machines, and it makes a significant difference for classic score chasers. You won’t find many devices that let you play Atari games like Centipede with anything other than a trackball, which is the whole point of this cabinet.

However, this focus on trackball games makes it somewhat limited. You’d need to be a huge Centipede fan to justify spending $200 on a machine that primarily plays that game, its sequel Millipede, and a few others like Avalanche, Liberator, and Super Breakout. Unless you’re planning to collect multiple machines for a retro gaming setup, it’s definitely on the niche side.

Basic Fun could have added a joystick for other Atari classics to enhance versatility. While it would shift the focus away from the trackball, it would make the cabinet more appealing. If you’re willing to spend, you can eventually collect a range of machines, including a Tempest unit with a rotary dial and a WWE Wrestlefest version with standard controls.

It’s frustrating that there’s also an Asteroids Arcade Classic machine with a rollerball. While it has different cabinet art and button placement, it feels like Basic Fun is holding back on including all trackball games with both units. This means you’d need to shell out another $200 for Asteroids, Asteroids Deluxe, Missile Command, and Crystal Castles, even though Liberator is available on both systems for some reason.

Despite the limited game selection, all Arcade Classic machines feature an 8-inch LCD display and built-in speakers, both of which perform adequately. Replicating the look of an old CRT is tough, and Basic Fun doesn’t go out of its way to achieve that here. The software lacks visual effects like scanlines, which could have improved the display quality. The viewing angles are decent, and the lighting is relatively even, though the blacks could be better.

The speakers benefit from the MDF cabinet’s resonance, producing a solid sound similar to the smaller Quarter Arcades Bubble Bobble. My only real complaint is that the volume isn’t particularly loud, but it’s still audible in a busy room.

Now, let’s talk about the software. The Arcade Classics machine offers the bare minimum. When you power it on, you’re greeted by a vertical menu of game logos. You navigate using the trackball and select a game with the left-most action button. The cabinet provides a quick rundown of the controls before launching the game, and that’s about it. You’ll be shooting bugs, blocks, or whatever else is happening in Liberator.

For casual players, the lack of options might not be an issue, but I’m surprised there aren’t at least some visual settings. I consider scanlines a basic feature for a modern retro system. Virtual settings, like difficulty toggles that mimic original dip switches, would have been a nice addition, but you’ll just have to get good with this cabinet.

After a few weeks of playing Centipede and other trackball games on the Arcade Classics, I can confirm I’m not great at these old-school shooters. I enjoyed the experience of my hand movements translating into real-time action with no noticeable lag, but I won’t be setting any high score records anytime soon.

My lack of skill isn’t a reflection of the trackball or buttons, which felt responsive and reliable. I was able to dodge spiders in Centipede and fire at my pixelated foes without issue, and while the screen isn’t the most vibrant, it served its purpose in delivering chaotic bug action.

The cabinet’s main drawbacks stem from the choice of screen. I’ve been spoiled by OLED displays in my reviews, and newer Arcade1Up machines tend to have better screens. The colorful sprites in games like Centipede don’t pop as they should against the black backgrounds, appearing slightly washed out. You might not notice it while trying to survive against the critters, but in a larger setup, it could look a bit lackluster.

Overall, the quirks of this machine highlight its place in the lineup. It feels a generation or two behind other cabinets, which is understandable since this is Basic Fun’s first attempt in the arcade space. Little things, like the short DC barrel jack power supply and the basic software, contribute to this feeling.

While it may not be the best arcade machine out there, the Arcade Classics Atari Centipede is a solid homage to classic trackball games. Not everyone will need advanced emulation settings or features like an illuminated marquee, but if you have fond memories of battling 8-bit bugs, this compact cabinet will deliver a fun experience.

If you’re after arcade perfection, though, the Arcade Classics Atari Centipede might not be your best bet. It could serve as a nice addition to a larger setup, but you’ll notice the lack of settings, the less impressive screen, and the limited game selection. However, with Basic Fun’s upcoming merger with Arcade1Up and their shared manufacturing, future models could see significant improvements.

For two weeks, I set up the Arcade Classics Atari Centipede in my living room to test it out. During that time, I played through its five games to evaluate emulation accuracy and the responsiveness of the trackball and buttons. I also compared it to competitors like the full-size Arcade1Up Mortal Kombat cabinet and Blaze’s Evercade Alpha to see how the screen and speakers stack up.