Thumper

Controls are limited to four directions along with a single button.

They are used in different combinations to overcome obstacles.

The beetle moves forward automatically and the speed cannot be controlled.

Only a single lane is available at first, but later levels have multiple ones.

Sharp turns are taken by holding the button while going left or right.

Pressing the button once needs to be timed to glowing elements on the track.

The button can be held to float and burst through barriers.

When it is combined with an upwards motion the beetle unfolds its wings and can break through hoops as another type of barrier.

These actions often need to be performed as combos in quick succession.

Each level uses a variant of an industrial soundtrack with grinding and booming elements, matching the physicality of the gameplay as the space beetle smashes around the track.

The player's actions also add to the soundtrack, as most of soundtrack on top of the constant noise is only activated through clearing obstacles successfully.

Parts such as the glowing track elements can be missed, removing the beat briefly, but when missed most other obstacles lead to a punishment.

In each section of a level only a single crash or missed obstacle is allowed, a second one leads to a restart right away.

Each section flows into the next and at the end of one a score is shown briefly, with different rankings based on the total score, completed turns and sustained damage.

Every now and then there are boss fights where a sequence is looped until it is completed entirely and a glow button is 'thumped' to fire and damage the floating head.

There are nine main levels in total, unlocked gradually, with about 20 sections for each one, linked toge

Thumper for Nintendo Switch is currently worth €74.10 loose, €50.68 complete in box, and €56.53 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.

Thumper has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning it trades hands regularly and isn't considered particularly rare.

Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Thumper, loose is €74.10 and CIB is €50.68 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.

The PAL version of Thumper is currently worth €74.10 loose, versus €61.37 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.