Is China Syndrome on Steam?

No. China Syndrome is not distributed on Steam, so there is no Steam Charts or SteamDB player count for it. Its live popularity is tracked here via Twitch viewership instead.

What platforms is China Syndrome on?

China Syndrome is available on Atari 2600.

When did China Syndrome release?

China Syndrome was first released on December 31, 1982.

China Syndrome

Dec 31, 1982ShooterArcadeAtari 2600

China Syndrome — frequently asked questions

Is China Syndrome on Steam?: No. China Syndrome is not distributed on Steam, so there is no Steam Charts or SteamDB player count for it. Its live popularity is tracked here via Twitch viewership instead.
What platforms is China Syndrome on?: China Syndrome is available on Atari 2600.
When did China Syndrome release?: China Syndrome was first released on December 31, 1982.

About China Syndrome

After an earthquake has damaged the nuclear reactor of Spectra Island it is your task to prevent its meltdown. To do this you are in control of a robot arm with which you can grab the free-flying particles preferably before they have time to split and therefore raising the radiation level. The screen is separated into three sections from top to bottom (red, blue and yellow). Every section has an indicator at the bottom of the screen telling you where the radiation level is getting to high and therefore enabling you to decide on which section to concentrate your efforts for the moment. In later levels your have to be careful not to damage the circulation fans or you lose one robot arm. The game is over either after you have lost all your robot arms or you have cleared the ninth and final stage.

Summary via IGDB.

Game details

Platforms: Atari 2600
Developer: Spectravision
Publisher: Spectravision
Game modes: Single player
Themes: Action

Details via IGDB.

Collector value & authenticity

Atari 2600 · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-06

Loose

$19

Complete

$64

Sealed

$71

Release record

Territory	Label	Catalog #	Rarity
North America Spectravision	Standard	SA-205	Rare

Also released in South America by Polygram.

Source: Catalog numbers, label types, rarity, controllers and player counts: AtariAge 2600 software database

Region: NA+EU
Released: 1982
Controller: Atari Joystick
Authenticity: Low

Not in Atari 50 — other compilations and plug-and-plays are not tracked hereLow counterfeit risk

Atari 2600 prices, all games & how to spot a fake

A Spectravision cartridge with little documented about it, collected mainly to complete the publisher's set.

Spectravision released China Syndrome in North America in September 1982 and in PAL regions in early 1983. Little is documented about it beyond its publisher and release dates.

What the press said at the time

Electronic Fun with Computers & Games Vol. 1 No. 5

March 1983

2½ joysticks

“These are not as effective as they might be. I had to turn the TV set off and on a few times before I realized the bands were supposed to be there.”
— Electronic Fun with Computers & Games, March 1983

“Although Reactor comes in a distant runner-up fun-wise, both it and China Syndrome show that you might be able to keep going in a dangerous and dif- ficult nuclear "simulation," but — like real life — you'll never win.”
— Vidiot, August/September 1983

Electronic Fun rated games out of four joysticks.

Cartridge & preservation record

Program size 4 KB, measured from the preserved dump.

Catalogue number as recorded for the physical release.

Before you buy

Low risk. No reproductions are documented. Loose carts are inexpensive; complete copies cost several times as much, so the box and manual carry much of a complete copy's value.