Swift Ball is a 3D arena game about steering a ball around a field of bonuses and hazards under time pressure. Green bonus balls are worth a point each, the central cone is worth ten, and mines subtract three, so the scoring pushes you towards routes that are efficient rather than merely safe.
Where it gets interesting is the bonus condition. If you clear every bonus within the time allowed and still leave at least one mine standing on the field, your points are banked to a separate bonus account. Points also double as you move up through the levels, so a clean early run is worth considerably more than it first appears.
How to Play Swift Ball
Steer the ball to collect the green bonuses, avoid the mines and the traps at the centre of the arena, and do it inside the allotted time. Clear the conditions and the game moves you to the next level automatically. There is no button to press to advance.
There is also a second mode, and it is the one most players end up preferring. In endless mode the time limit is removed, the supply of balls constantly refreshes, and your score is saved every thirty seconds. It is harder in practice because the field never empties, but it removes the frustration of losing a good run to the clock.
Practical note: the game menu is tucked away in the top left, above the clock, while you are in game mode. It is easy to miss. That is also where you will find the camera change button, which switches your view of the arena and is worth trying early.
Controls
- Steer the ball: arrow keys or WASD.
- Camera: use the camera change button to switch your view of the arena.
- Menu: top left of the screen, above the clock, during play.
- Settings: available from the in-game menu.
Tips and Tricks
- Change the camera early. The default view does not suit everyone and the wrong angle makes judging distance much harder than it needs to be.
- Plan a loop rather than chasing the nearest bonus. Backtracking is what costs you the time bonus.
- Leave one mine alone deliberately. The bonus condition requires at least one mine left on the field, so clearing them all actually works against you.
- Go for the central cone when your route passes near it, not as a detour. Ten points is good, but not at the cost of the time limit.
- If the clock keeps beating you, switch to endless mode. The scoring saves every thirty seconds and you can build up without the time pressure.
Who This Game Is For
This suits players who want something with more scoring nuance than the average arcade game. The bonus-account condition rewards understanding the rules rather than just moving quickly, which is unusual in this genre.
The interface takes a few minutes to get used to, particularly the tucked-away menu. Once you have found the camera control, the game is considerably more comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the scoring work?
Green bonus balls are worth one point, the central cone is worth ten, and hitting a mine costs you three. Points double as you progress through levels.
What is the bonus account?
If you finish within the time limit, collect every bonus, and leave at least one mine on the field, your collected points are credited to a separate bonus account.
What is endless mode?
A mode with no time limit where the balls keep refreshing and your score is saved every thirty seconds. It is more demanding but removes the pressure of the clock.
Game Credit and Source
Swift Ball was made by an independent third-party developer and reaches this page through the browser games platform GamePix. Nelof did not create or host this game, and all rights to its code, artwork and audio remain with the original developer. The description, controls, tips and answers on this page were written by the Nelof team. If you are the developer and want this listing corrected or taken down, contact us and we will action it.
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