Remember that first cellphone you received in the early 2000s or late 1990s? What were some of the first games you played on it? Well, if you had a Nokia, it was likely a black and white version of the iconic arcade game, Centipede.

Atari first released Centipede all the way back in 1980, and it gave players the chance to obliterate giant insects while taking care of other bugs. It's colorful, addictive, and a pretty fun way to pass the time. When you think about arcade games, this one is legendary. However, are there some secrets about this title that you have yet to discover? Here are 10 stellar facts about the classic Centipede.

10 Did You Know You Were A Gnome?

So, you may have thought you were just there to blasts bugs. While that is mostly the case, there is an actual story behind Centipede. Here, you are a garden gnome that is tasked with blasting away bugs that are looking to invade your garden. Yes, really.

We appreciate that the developers didn't just put pixels together, but they wanted a narrative to go along with this game. In short, you are a mystical creature fighting bugs. In some way, that makes the game even more refreshing.

9 There Is A Sequel

Now, you know whenever a game is wildly successful, the studios automatically start talking about making sequels that will potentially lead to a franchise. For Centipede, this process was no different. In fact, Atari released a sequel in 1982, titled Millipede.

Instead of being a garden gnome in this one, you are an elf and archer who is tasked with protecting your mushroom forest. This title isn't as popular as Centipede, and it makes sense as the original is a hard act to follow.

8 It Was A Board Game

via Geekdad.com

During the '80s, it felt like everything was getting the Dungeons and Dragons board game treatment. Centipede was no exception to this situation. Back in the early '80s, Atari created a board game that allowed players to take on the role of the gnome as well as the centipede itself.

Gnomes had to defend the garden again, while the person playing as the centipede could pull cards that impede the gnome's progress. The last person standing at the end of the game was the winner.

7 It Got A Post-Apocalyptic Shift

Who would have thought Nintendo could turn a game like Centipede into a high octane adventure? In 2011, Atari, SA, released a top-down 3D version of Centipede in the style of a run-n-gun adventure game for the Nintendo 3Ds and Wii.

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Players are tasked with battling a giant centipede during a time of ruin and chaos. This game is a refreshing and contemporary take on the original title. It is definitely worth a look if you want to experience another perspective on this iconic arcade game.

6 Centipede Was A Hit With Female Audiences

Centipede was one of the first major games to find an audience with female gamers. Weird as this bit of trivia may sound, it isn't much of a surprise when you know who was involved. Dona Bailey, the only female employee at Atari's arcade game department, helped create the original game.

Her involvement and work resonated with female gamers and helped propel Centipede's popularity. Who knew a simple game like Centipede could get women excited about gaming?

5 A Pretenders Song Inspired Dona To Go Into Game Development

Back in the early 80s, Bailey was a programmer for General Motors. The story goes that one night, she was out at a bar and heard a song by The Pretenders entitled "Space Invaders."

A friend told her there was a game at another bar by the same name, which inexplicably sparked inspiration in Dona's mind.  She then went to lunch with her friends, played some Space Invaders, and the rest is pretty much history. Her experience inspired her to end up at Atari and create Centipede.

4 There Are Too Many Clones To Name

They say that the best form of flattery is imitation. If this is true, than Centipede had many admirers. From the Apple II's Bug Attack to the Commodore-64's Bug Blaster, there is a multitude of Centipede clones and it would be impossible to list all of them down here.

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It makes sense as this was a groundbreaking and iconic game, especially for casual gamers. While the numerous copies may be fun in their own right, nothing will compare to the game's original creativity.

3 An Indie Band Used Centipede's Art For A Song

Retro video game art is in. We've all seen it. However, one band went a little further to make a statement about their affinity for old school arcade games. The indie rock band known as The Strokes used promotional art from Centipede as the cover art for their single, "Reptilia."

Considering the name of the album, and the type of art, we think this is an excellent representation. We kind of want to buy the album now, just for that reason.

2 Jim Schneider Scored 16,389,547 Points In Centipede

via twingalaxies.com

The arcade games of old required a different kind of skill. Not only did they require a sharp eye and agility, but they also had a strategy element that many would be surprised to find. That, and a lot of loose change. For Centipede, that is no different.

For tournament play, as of April 14, 2018, Donald Hayes holds the world point record at 7,750,817. Regarding marathon play, Jim Schneider holds a 16,389,547 point record that has held since August 1, 1984. Scoring high on old school arcade games is not easy, so kudos to these guys!

1 There Was A Movie In The Works

Is every piece of media subject to being turned into film these days? Who would have thought someone could make a movie about the activities in Centipede? Well, Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films worked out a deal with Atari in 2016 to bring Centipede to the silver screen.

We are seriously curious about this one. What could the backstory be? Who would play the gnome? Would they do away with the original premise altogether and choose something more contemporary? There hasn't been much talk about the movie recently, but we hope it is still in production.

NEXT: Galaga: 10 Mind-Blowing Facts About The Arcade Classic