Difference between revisions of "Columns"

From Sega Retro
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'''''Columns''''' (コラムス) (also called '''''Jewels''''') is a puzzle computer game, [[arcade game]] and [[video game console|console game]] with many similarities to ''Tetris''. It was first created in 1989 by Jay Geertsen (not Geertson, as he is erroneously credited in the Windows port) of HP on the X Window System. Nathan Meyers ported it to DOS, Chris Christensen to Macintosh. John Rotenstein created an early Windows version based on Christensen's Macintosh port. [http://www.atarilegend.com/games/games_detail.php?game_id=1486 Another early port was to the Atari ST], for the high resolution monochrome monitor. In 1990, Jay Geertsen sold the rights to [[Sega]], where it was ported to several Sega consoles.
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'''''Columns''''' (コラムス) is a puzzle game first created in 1989 by Jay Geertsen of Hewlett-Packard on the X Window System, with ports to DOS, Macintosh. Windows, and the Atari ST. In 1990, Geertsen sold the rights to [[Sega]], where it was ported to the [[System C]] arcade board. This version was successful enough to be ported to various Sega and non-Sega hardware (including being both a [[Game Gear]] launch title and pack-in) and launched [[:Category:Columns|a series of sequels]], that, despite bottomed-out popularity, continues to receive attention today.
  
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==Description==
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==Version Differences==
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The game takes place inside a tall well-shaped playing area, as in ''Tetris''. Columns of three different symbols (such as differently-colored jewels) appear, one at a time, at the top of the well and fall to the bottom, landing either on the floor or on top of previously-fallen columns.
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Each console version of Columns adds a game mode called '''Flash Columns''': the player must mine their way through a set number of lines to get to a flashing jewel at the bottom. The faster the player accomplishes this, the higher his rank. Furthermore, each individual port has its own features:
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*'''Master System/Game Gear''': In single-player mode, the jewels can be changed to fruit, squares, dice, or card suits.
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Whilst a column is falling, the player can move it left and right, and can also cycle the positions of the symbols within it.
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*'''Mega Drive''': Two game modes were added, accessible from the Menu option on the title screen menu. These modes can be applied to either the Original Game or Flash Columns.
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**'''Time Trial''': Either Original Game or Flash Columns may be time-limited to three minutes.
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If, after a column has fallen, there are three or more of the same symbols connected in a straight line horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, those symbols disappear. The pile of columns then settles under gravity. If this causes three or more other symbols to become aligned, they also disappear and the pile settles again. This process repeats as many times as necessary. It is not uncommon for this to happen three or four times in a row - it often happens by accident when the well is becoming crowded.
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**'''Doubles:''' Either Original Game or Flash Columns may have two players competing on the same well instead of different wells
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Occasionally, a special column called the Magic Jewel appears. The Magic Jewel flashes with different colors and when it lands, it destroys all the jewels with the same color as the one underneath it.
 
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Like ''Tetris'', the columns fall at a faster rate as the player progresses. The goal of the game is to play for as long as possible before the well fills up with symbols.
 
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==Game Gear and Master System==
 
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The 8-bit version was notably different from the Genesis version.
 
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*It had different music, sounding more like a flute or woodwind, especially in Lathesis.
 
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*While the columns themselves were updated for the Genesis version, the overall decoration was less like a cartoon in the Game Gear version and instead more artistically designed.
 
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*A feature was available to change the jewels to fruit, squares, dice, or card shapes (clubs, diamonds, spades).
 
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The Game Gear version was a pack-in for the unit and was one of three Japanese launch titles, the others being ''[[Super Monaco GP]]'' and ''[[Pengo]]''.
 
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<gallery>
 
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Image:ColumnsGG.png|[[Game Gear]] title screen
 
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Image:ColumnsMS.png|[[Master System]] title screen
 
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</gallery>
 
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==Other game modes==
 
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Some ports of the game offer alternate game modes. These include:
 
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* '''Flash columns:''' The player must mine their way through a set number of lines to get to a flashing jewel at the bottom. It is scored by the time it takes to achieve this.
 
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* '''Doubles:''' Where two players work together in the same well.
 
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* '''Time trial:''' Three minutes to get the highest score.
 
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==Ports and sequels==
 
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Many sequels and spinoffs were produced: ''[[Columns II: The Voyage Through Time]]'' (arcade), ''[[Columns III: Revenge of Columns]]'' (Genesis/Mega Drive), ''[[Columns 97]]'' (Arcade and Saturn), ''Sakura Taisen Hanagumi Taisen Columns 1 and 2'' (Saturn and Dreamcast), and many compilations and re-releases (''[[Columns Arcade Collection]]'' on the Saturn, ''[[Sega Ages vol 07: Columns]]'' on the PS2) as well. Because ''Columns'' was made by [[Sega]], versions were made available on the [[Sega Master System]], [[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive/Genesis]], [[Mega CD]], [[Sega Game Gear|Game Gear]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]], and [[Dreamcast]]. Additional versions of the game have also been made available on TurboGrafx-16, [[Game Boy Color]], [[Game Boy Advance]], and [[PlayStation 2]].
 
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As with ''Tetris'', ''Columns'' has been cloned many times on different computers. ''Coloris'' is a variant for Amiga 500 released by AveSoft. There is also an online Java game heavily based on it called ''Yahoo! Towers'', which allows up to eight players to compete against each other. An [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekid.cgi?id=0012787 unofficial ZX Spectrum version] was made by Russian coders Piter in 1991.  The Pelican VG Pocket offers a clone called "Jewel Master" that adds the ability to rotate columns horizontally like ''Super Columns''.  
 
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On November 7, 2006, Columns was released as part of the game ''[[Sega Mega Drive Collection]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]] and later on another release of ''Sega Genesis Collection'' for the [[PlayStation Portable]]. On December 4, 2006, ''Columns'' was released on [[Nintendo]]'s [[Virtual Console]] for 800 [[Wii Points]].
 
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Most recently the game was ported to the iPhone by Sega.  It comes in a package deal from the App Store along with a version of ''Puyo-Pop'' for $5.
 
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==Music==
 
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Tokuhiko Uwabo composed the music for ''Columns''.  One of the most recognizable songs in ''Columns'' is called Clotho, presumably after the Greek Moira of the same name, related to the Greek flavor of some of the game's art. The other main songs include Atropos and Lachesis, other Moirae.
 
  
 
==Manuals==
 
==Manuals==

Revision as of 13:15, 27 February 2011

n/a

Columns SystemC2Title.png

Columns
System(s): Sega System C, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, MSX, TurboGrafx-16
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Puzzle

















CERO
Missing Parameter!

Columns (コラムス) is a puzzle game first created in 1989 by Jay Geertsen of Hewlett-Packard on the X Window System, with ports to DOS, Macintosh. Windows, and the Atari ST. In 1990, Geertsen sold the rights to Sega, where it was ported to the System C arcade board. This version was successful enough to be ported to various Sega and non-Sega hardware (including being both a Game Gear launch title and pack-in) and launched a series of sequels, that, despite bottomed-out popularity, continues to receive attention today.

Version Differences

Each console version of Columns adds a game mode called Flash Columns: the player must mine their way through a set number of lines to get to a flashing jewel at the bottom. The faster the player accomplishes this, the higher his rank. Furthermore, each individual port has its own features:

  • Master System/Game Gear: In single-player mode, the jewels can be changed to fruit, squares, dice, or card suits.
  • Mega Drive: Two game modes were added, accessible from the Menu option on the title screen menu. These modes can be applied to either the Original Game or Flash Columns.
    • Time Trial: Either Original Game or Flash Columns may be time-limited to three minutes.
    • Doubles: Either Original Game or Flash Columns may have two players competing on the same well instead of different wells

Manuals

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
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Based on
5 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
{{|L}} N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Columns

Mega Drive Version

Physical Scans

System C Version

  • JP flyer

  • JP instructions card

Mega Drive Version

  • US cover

  • US cart

  • EU cover

  • JP cover

  • JP cart

Master System Version

  • US cover

  • US cart

  • Columns sms au cover.jpg

    AU cover

Game Gear Version

  • US front cover

  • US cart

  • EU front cover

  • EU cart

  • JP front cover

  • JP cart

  • JP front cover (Meisaku Collection)

  • BR cart

MSX Version

  • JP cover (front)

  • Columns MSX JP Box Back.jpg

    JP cover (back)

TurboGrafx-16 Version

  • Columns pce jp cover.jpg

    JP cover (front)



Games in the Columns Series
Columns (1990) | Columns II: The Voyage Through Time (1990) | Columns III: Revenge of Columns (1993) | Stack Columns (1994) | Super Columns (1995) | Columns '97 (1996) | Hanagumi Taisen Columns (1997) | Columns Arcade Collection (1997) | Columns GB: Tezuka Osamu Characters (1999) | Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2 (2000) | Columns Crown (2001) | Columns Jewel (2005) | Columns Deluxe (2008) | Jewelpet Kira Kira Mahou no Housekibako (2009) | Sega Ages Columns II (2019)
Columns Taisen Mode Tsuki (1991) | Columns (Mame Game) (1997) | Columns (Pocket Boy) (1997) | Columns for Zaurus (2001) | Columns for Clié (2002)
Unlicensed Columns games
Sega Master System
 Super Columns (1990)
Columns Related Media
Music
 Columns・Columns II (1991)
Book
 Hanagumi Taisen Columns Official Guide (1997) | Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2 Perfect Guide (2000)
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Columns&oldid=40255"