Is Thunderground on Steam?

No. Thunderground 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 Thunderground on?

Thunderground is available on Atari 2600.

When did Thunderground release?

Thunderground was first released on December 31, 1983.

Thunderground

Dec 31, 1983ShooterArcadeAtari 2600

Thunderground — frequently asked questions

Is Thunderground on Steam?: No. Thunderground 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 Thunderground on?: Thunderground is available on Atari 2600.
When did Thunderground release?: Thunderground was first released on December 31, 1983.

About Thunderground

There are six Core nuclear bases on the planet's surface. You must burrow underground to each of these bases and destroy them. But be warned, they are guarded by patrolling Core Ranger tanks that if they get you in their line of fire, will destroy you. There are two types of tanks. The white Sentry tanks only move through existing tunnels and will only fire on you if there is clear space between you and them. The blue Digger tanks will create their own tunnels to pursue you. There is also a Sentry tank at the bottom of the screen that slowly moves towards your reserve tanks. If this tank reaches you reserves before you destroy all six bases, you lose a life. The game is over if you lose all lives. There are enemy supplies buried in random areas that if you get them will get you bonus points. Later levels have the bases only appear one at a time or have no dirt between you and the enemy tanks, leaving them to pursue you from the start.

Summary via IGDB.

Game details

Platforms: Atari 2600
Developer: Sega Electronics
Publisher: Sega Enterprises, Inc.
Game modes: Single player
Themes: Action, Science fiction

Details via IGDB.

Collector value & authenticity

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

Loose

$17

Complete

$86

Sealed

—

Release record

Territory	Label	Catalog #	Rarity
North America Sega	Grip Case	003-01	Scarce+

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

Region: NA
Released: 1983
Controller: Atari Joystick
Players: 1
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

Sega's home conversion of its 1981 arcade game Borderline, renamed for the 2600 and fairly well liked at the time.

The arcade original, Borderline, is a 1981 Sega vertically scrolling shooter in which you drive a jeep and destroy enemy refineries. In 1983 Sega's home division converted it to the 2600 as Thunderground, one of the last games Sega released as a third-party developer for Atari's console.

The 2600 and SG-1000 ports both received positive reviews. It has never become a sought-after title, which keeps loose copies cheap.

What the press said at the time

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2 No. 7

October 1983

Graphics ★★½ · Play-Action ★★★

“This is a very simple game to learn and play, and the graphics offer nothing to get excited about, but we found the game entertaining nonetheless.”
— Computer Entertainer, October 1983

“The first batch of cartridges for the 2600 from the company includes TacScan, Buck Rogers, Thunderground and Congo Bongo. None of the 2600 editions are exactly heart-stoppers”
— Electronic Games, October 1983

Computer Entertainer rated graphics first and play action second, from four symbols (excellent) to one (poor) — stars in most years, diamonds in 1986–87 — comparing each game only with other games for the same system.

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. Loose carts are inexpensive, while boxed copies cost several times as much, so most of a complete copy's value sits in the box and manual. Check the box for crushing and the cart for a matching end label. Note that the arcade original was called Borderline; on the 2600 it is Thunderground.