Thumper is a rhythm game where you guide a beetle-like creature through music track by pressing buttons in time. Unlike other music games, the focus is on impact and combat rather than soaring tunes. It's described by the developer as a rhythm-violence game, and feels like playing a thrash metal song.

Along with pressing buttons to hit lit notes, you also have to hold and move your creature to brace against obstacles. You end up turning against curved walls, jumping over spikes, and defeating enemies. It's fast hard hitting and exhilarating. Get the button presses wrong and your creature is destroyed, making you start again from the last checkpoint.

After each segment of a level you get a rating. Each level in the game features rhythms corresponding to a time signature related to the level number, from 1/2 through to 9/8. Once you have completed a level a Play+ mode is unlocked, where you can attempt the song in one life.