ZX Spectrum Game - Spectipede - ZX Spectrum retro game

ZX Spectrum Spectipede
First published in 1983 by R&R Software, Spectipede was re-released for the ZX Spectrum in 1984 by Mastertronic. At only £1.99 it was a decent version of the classic arcade game centipede.

Kevin Allison (who didn't seem to develop any other ZX Spectrum Games) created a well rounded version of the game with plenty of options and features - and all crammed into 16K too.

No real story to Spectipede (or Centipede for that matter) it was classic arcade action and a case of shoot the nasties and survive as long as possible.


Different creatures inhabited the screen such as spiders, scorpions, fleas and of course the 'Spectipede'. Plenty of green coloured mushrooms were dotted around the screen too - and things would get busy pretty quickly.

The aim of the game (and any Centipede clone) was to shoot the Spectipede which headed for you avoiding the mushrooms as it moved. If you hit the body of the Spectipede it would split in two, creating two Spectipedes. Hit any of these in the body and it would split again, and so on...
Fleas descended the screen leaving new mushrooms behind (mushroom making fleas?) and needed two hits to kill them, speeding up after the first hit (sneaky!).

Scorpions wandered across the screen poisoning any mushrooms they touched. Spectipedes would drop straight to the bottom of the screen when they ran into a poisoned mushroom, but if you were quick you could get underneath it and destroy it with rapid fire as it descended straight down.

Whilst all of this was going on Spiders would randomly appear and try to jump on you. Spectipede was rapid arcade action all the way.

The game would award you with an extra 1500 points for clearing a screen (by destroying the Spectipede) and an extra life for every 20000 points gained. As you progressed through the levels the game really did hot up and took a lot of skill (and luck!) to keep going.

One or two players could take part, in two player mode you took alternate goes on each life lost.

The keyboard play was nice and responsive and most joystick types were supported by the game too.

Oh, and the cassette sleeve and inlay had slightly bizarre and cartoony images.

On Release:
This game was never a massive hit, I only remember the Mastertronic version. With it being released in 1983 and also running on a 16K Spectrum it really is one of the early classics, we're talking real retro gaming here! Games like Centipede were still popular in 1983 and Spectipede was a really good version of it for the ZX Spectrum. At only £1.99 you couldn't really go wrong and it was regarded as one of the better Centipede clones you could get.

The test of time:
Well here in the land of ZX Spectrum Games we have a real soft spot for this classic game. When you play it you just know it really is one of those early simple games that is all about fast action and quick reflexes. As the 1980's wore on games became more complex in concept, design, story and graphics. Consequently Spectipede is a playable version of a classic game, and would probably keep your attention for a good twenty minutes. Not bad, not bad at all...

Hone those reflexes and download Spectipede for the ZX Spectrum. Alternatively you could try and play online.

Please see our other ZX Spectrum game reviews - all links are listed in alphabetical order. Cheers guys.

GENRE: Arcade Game
RELEASE DATE: 1983
RELEASED BY: R&R Software then re-released by Mastertronic
DEVELOPER(S): Kevin Allison
PRICE: £1.99 - UK

Mart used to be good at this, honest! Classic Arcade Action on the ZX Spectrum:

Classic Games, Arcade Games and ZX Spectrum Games