Thumper Instruction Manual

NOTE: all basic gameplay controls are explained via in-game tutorials

• Use L1/LB or the 'R' key to bring up the Quick Restart menu during a level
• VR ONLY: Hold OPTIONS/START or ESC for 1.5 seconds to recenter your view

NOTE: all gameplay explanations reference default DUALSHOCK 4 controller inputs

• Tap (X) over the white rectangular thumps to thump
• Hold (X) and use LEFT STICK to bank left/right and survive turns
• Hold (X) to slide through red bars without damage
• Execute looping patterns perfectly to fire the green energy weapon and defeat bosses
• Boss patterns loop until you defeat them

• Thump while holding UP to jump
• Hold down (X) while in the air to increase jump distance (you don't need to hold UP)
• Consecutive jumps allow you to fly and maximize your jump distance

• Press DOWN while in the air to pound
• Pounding thumps sends out a powerful shockwave
• From Level 3 on, some bosses have shields that can only be opened by a pound shockwave

• From Level 4 on, switch lanes using the LEFT STICK, or bank into barriers using LEFT STICK + (X) when lanes end
• From Level 5 on, beware of laser sentries that attack if you miss a thump

• Blue gems = points
• Thump, keep holding (X), and slide through red bars to earn blue gems
• Jump into blue rings to earn blue gems
• Execute perfect turns by holding (X) and pressing LEFT STICK at the last moment

When completing each sub-level, you will receive score bonuses based on your performance:

• BLUE GEMS — bonus for collecting blue gems
• PERFECT TURNS — bonus for executing perfect turns
• NO DAMAGE — bonus for taking no damage
• NO MISSES — bonus for not missing any thumps
• KILLS — bonus for defeating enemies

• Thump perfectly to reach 2X/3X streak multipliers and get more blue gems
• Checkpoints contain bonus-thumps, hit them to collect extra blue gems
• If you're damaged, hitting a bonus-thump regains your shell
• Pound thumps while in 2X/3X streak to transform upcoming thumps into bonus-thumps
• Pound bonus-thumps for even more blue gems!
• Hit bosses with the green weapon on the first loop to create a bonus-thump
• Pound the green weapon on the first loop and get TWO bonus-thumps
• Collect perfect sequences of 6+ red bars and/or blue rings and get more blue gems
• Hitting turns normally stops flight, but if you "perfect turn" during flight you can keep flying through turns

When completing each sub-level, you will receive a Rank (C, B, A, or S) based on your accuracy and skill.

To improve your rank:

• Hit all thumps
• Slide into all red bars
• Jump into all blue rings
• Avoid taking damage
• Execute perfect turns
• Hit bonus-thumps

After you beat Level 3, you'll unlock "PLAY +" mode. You can play all nine levels again for more challenge.

Differences from normal play:

• Golden beetle
• Max multiplier is 4X
• Speed increases at 3X and 4X
• Shell regain only at 4X multiplier
• Some tutorials removed
• One-life game over

S+ Rank: To earn S+ in a sub-level, you must hit all thumps, hit all red bars, hit all blue rings, make all turns perfect, and take no damage.

Full Level S+: Complete the level, earn S or S+ in each sub-level, and at least 50% of sub-level ranks must be S+.