Mega SWIV

Mega SWIV is a vertically scrolling shooter released in 1991 for the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MSX, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC computers. A Game Boy Color conversion was published in 2001.

The game was considered a spiritual successor to Tecmo arcade game Silkworm, which The Sales Curve had previously converted to home computer formats in 1989. The game’s heritage is evident from the game design whereby one player pilots a helicopter, and the other an armoured Jeep. Mega SWIV is not an official sequel, as noted by ex-Sales Curve producer Dan Marchant: “Mega SWIV wasn’t really a sequel to Silkworm, but it was certainly inspired by it and several other shoot-’em-ups that we had played and loved.”^[1]

In the game’s Amiga manual, however, it was explained that “Mega SWIV” was both an acronym for “Special Weapons Interdiction Vehicle” and also short for “Silkworm IV” (even though there was not a Silkworm II or III).

Gameplay – Mega SWIV

Mega SWIV is a 2D vertically scrolling shooter. The player chooses between using either a helicopter or a jeep at the beginning of the game and then plays in their chosen vehicles through scrolling levels, shooting at oncoming enemies.

If two players are present, both vehicles will be used at once. Certain enemies when shot drop shield power-ups which can be either picked up to afford temporarily invincibility or detonated to destroy all enemies onscreen. Every so often a boss enemy will attack. The destruction of these bosses will give upgrades to the player’s forward firing gun.

Reception – Mega SWIV

On release Mega SWIV was met with positive reviews from most magazines of the time, receiving a 92% from Amiga Format magazine, an 88% from Commodore Format (C64 version) a 91% from Amiga Action, 90% from Computer and Video Games, and a 90% from Your Sinclair. It was ranked the 27th best game of all time by Amiga Power.^[2]

Super Gamer reviewed the SNES version and gave an overall score of 70% writing: “Another vertical scroller with the addition of simultaneous two-player action. Sadly graphics and gameplay are rather dull and unoriginal.”^[3] In 1995, Total! rated Super SWIV 72nd on its Top 100 SNES Games writing: “It looks a bit dated but this shooter is brilliantly designed. It’s a two-player jobby too.”^[4] 

Glenn Rubenstein of Wizard praised Firepower 2000 for there finally being an above average shooter for the SNES that was not produced by Konami, however not much effort was put into the graphics or plot. He commented that the gameplay being heavy on action made it an overall winner concluding: “Should be big with shooter fans, but the general player probably won’t get too into it.”^[5]

Legacy – Mega SWIV

A sequel was published for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as Super SWIV. It was ported to the Mega Drive as Mega SWIV. In 1997 Mega SWIV 3D was released, with 3D terrain and models.

References – Mega SWIV

1.  “Firepower 2000 SNES Review Score”. Archived from the original on 2019-05-13.
2. ^ Rubenstein, Glenn (April 1993). “At the Controls”. Wizard (20): 18–20. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
3. ^ “Super Swiv Review”. Super Gamer. United Kingdom: Paragon Publishing (2): 123. May 1994. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
4. ^ “Top 100 SNES Games”. Total! (43): 47. July 1995. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
5. ^ Rubenstein, Glenn (April 1993). “At the Controls”. Wizard (20): 18–20. Retrieved April 24, 2022.

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