A variation of the "SameGame" puzzle genre, Sega Swirl has players clicking groups of edge-connected blocks of the same color on the 10×10 playfield to clear them, earning points based on how many blocks were cleared from each click (with single blocks removing points instead). Each block is shaped like a "swirl" (a reference to the Dreamcast logo).The PC version was originally released as freeware, and was also included as a bonus game in the 2000 compilation Sega Smash Pack 2. The Dreamcast version was never released commercially, instead being included in the demo discs for several editions of the Official Sega Dreamcast Magazine, in some versions of the platform's Web Browser software discs, and in the Sega Smash Pack: Volume 1 compilation. It is notable for being an early cross-platform multiplayer game, due to the game's play-by-email feature.It also received a Palm OS release in 2002 by CodeFire, featuring head-to-head multiplayer using the device's infrared port and different shapes of swirls (as the devices were monochrome). Unlike the other releases, this one had both a demo ("Sega Swirl Lite") and commercial release by OnHand.It received a PC-only sequel in 2006, released exclusively on GameTap service as Sega Swirl 2. As the game was never dumped prior to GameTap's discontinuation, the sequel is considered lost media.GameplayScoringNumber of Swirls cleared at once. "Singles" (with only one cleared at a time) give a -100 point penalty, while two-or-more clears at a time add score (with larger clears giving a larger bonus) of the formula "4 + Σ(3 ≤ i Number of columns cleared at once, with larger clears giving a larger bonus. (25, 75, 150, 250, 375, 525, 700, 900, 1125, 1375)Managing to clear the board without removing any Singles doubles the score for that board.Game ModesSingle-PlayerThe game's main single-player mode is Level Mode (Level Challenge in the Dreamcast version) which has players clearing boards while satisfying five requirements, ending the game if any are failed:Largest Combo - The largest number of Swirls removed in one move.Number of Singles - Number of Swirls were removed one-at-a-time. Less is better.Big Column Bonus - The largest number of columns that were made empty after one move.Total Combos - Number of moves made. Less is better.Score - Amount of score earned.The game also includes a single-Level Practice Mode (Single Game Challenge in the Dreamcast version)with no requirements and a separate high score table.The Dreamcast version adds an optional Time requirement, where players are given two minutes to clear each board and are given bonus points for time remaining.Multi-Player (Turn-Based)The game's main multiplayer mode is Versus Mode (Versus Challenge in the Dreamcast version), where up to four players (Human or CPU) take turns on a single board in an effort to have the highest score once the board is cleared. Players can opt to play-by-email with the Swirl Email mode (Email Challenge in the Dreamcast version), with cross-platform multiplayer compatibility.Each player has their own designated color (orange for P1, blue for P2, purple for P3, and green for P4), and clearing all Swirls of one color knocks that player out of the game (which can be both detrimental, as that player can no longer score points, or beneficial, as that player has a less chance of forced Singles). Players who make a move of their own color gain double points for that move (although Singles of the same color also double the penalty score).Multi-Player (Real-Time)The Dreamcast version adds a unique Split Screen Challenge mode, which has all players playing on their boards simultaneously and race to reach the score threshold first.Like standard Versus mode, players are designated a color and the Combo/Single is doubled for the same color. Once a player clears all Swirls of one color from their board, all Swirls of that same color are also removed from all other boards. Once the boards are fully-cleared, each player gets a new board and gameplay continues.
