Loosely-based on the 1979 film, The China Syndrome , China Syndrome by Spectravision – first released in 1982 – is a “simulation” of a fission nuclear reactor going wrong. The aim is to capture neutrons, using a roaming cursor, to prevent a runaway nuclear reaction and eventual reactor meltdown.

The screen is split into three horizontal coloured areas, each with a series of neutrons bouncing around inside them. If the neutrons collide they create more and more neutrons, and if there are too many in a given area a runaway reaction may occur and an alarm sounds. So you have to deal with the most critical areas first, by removing neutrons quickly (done by moving the cursor – aka The Robot Arm – over them and pressing fire). You can even take out more than one neutron at a time, because the cursor area is quite large.

Each level has its own time limit, and you complete a level by keeping the reactor under control for the duration. As the difficulty increases, the number of obstacles (“core vents”) inside the reactor also goes up, and if you touch any of them with the cursor, you’ll lose a life (or: you’ll lose a Robot Arm).

There are four different play modes (practise, certification test, start test at level five, and a children’s game). There is no two-player option, though. Which is a surprise because it seems like it would work well here.

If you’re good at your job and manage to keep the reactor under control for a number of levels, you’ll be given a rating at the end of the game. This can range from “Trainee” to “Full-Certification Plant Manager“. LOL. 😀

Chances are, though, that you’re going to melt-down more than once, and the meltdown process is… erm, unique, and grating! I tried not to sit through it a second time…

China Syndrome isn’t a bad game, although it is extremely simple. There are nine levels of the reactor to complete, and a couple of difficulty levels that change the speed at which the cursor moves, and the number of lives you begin with. The game’s manual even tries to ‘sell’ a pause mode (they call it the “Take-A-Break Feature TM” – LOL) as a feature! Ah, gaming was so green back then…

More: The China Syndrome on Wikipedia
More: The China Syndrome on IMDb