Columns

n/a

Columns
System(s): Sega System C, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, MSX, PC Engine (JP only), Shap X68000
Publisher: Sega Template:X68K SystemSoft
Developer: Sega Template:X68K SystemSoft
Genre: Puzzle
ESRB PEGI OFLC CERO Missing Parameter!

Columns (コラムス) is a puzzle game first created in 1989 by Jay Geertsen of Hewlett-Packard on the HP/UX with 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 several game modes:

• 2-player Competitive play: The original arcade version does have two players on screen at once, but this is not a competitive mode as players can join and leave at will.
• 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
• PC Engine: "Stone" and "Freeze" competitive modes (TODO)

Manuals

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source Computer & Video Games (UK) Joystick (FR) Mean Machines (UK) Player One (FR)

{{{{{icon}}}|L}}
Based on 5 reviews

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score

{{|L}}	N/A
Based on 0 reviews

Columns

Mega Drive Version

• US Manual ^(info) ()

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, EU
Cover

Mega Drive, JP
Cover
Cart

Master System Version

Master System, US
Cover
Cart

Master System, AU
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:px"> 320x120px Cover

Master System, KR
Cover

Game Gear Version

Game Gear, US
Cover
Cart

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart

Game Gear, JP
Cover
Cart

Game Gear, JP (Meisaku Collection)
Cover

Game Gear, BR
Cart

MSX Version

MSX, JP
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:px"> 320x120px Cover

TurboGrafx-16 Version

TurboGrafx-16, JP
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:px"> 320x80px Cover