Columns II: The Voyage Through Time

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Columns II: The Voyage Through Time
System(s): Sega System C
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega AM1
Genre: Puzzle
Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code

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Columns II: The Voyage Through Time is the sequel to Columns. It was released for Sega System C arcade hardware in 1990.

Gameplay is very similar to the original Columns, however rather than play an endless game the single player campaign is based around flash columns. Versus mode allowed the players to attack each other for the first time in the series. The graphics and music also vary depending on the stage is being played.

The single player mode "Flash Columns" fills half of the board with jewels and assigns a single jewel by flashing it to be destroyed in order to win a round. Two players can play solo at the same time. It has additional mechanic where the game occasionally turns a random jewel into skull. Removing such jewel raises the floor bar as a punishment.

The versus competitive mode "Vs. Columns" that requires 2 players is also included. It's based on endless game mode rather than flash one. For the first time in the series the game included "transfering jewel lines" mechanic that would be later known in Columns III as a "Crash Bar" attack, letting the players to interact with each other on separate fields. It raises the floor bar on opponent's board, lowers the floor bar on your board and destroys the currently falling block on opponent's side. It's immediately activated upon multiple jewels removal or chains.

A special type of block sometimes appears in this mode called a Magic Stone which takes the form of two triangular jewels with a square jewel in between. If you place the block with the upward pointing triangle touching the jewels on the board, your opponent will be crushed. If you place with the downward pointing triangle touching, your floor bar will go down. If you place with the square touching, all jewels on your board of the color of the jewel that is touched will be removed from the board.

Columns II was not ported to any home systems at a time, later included as part of Columns Arcade Collection for the Sega Saturn. Columns III: Revenge of Columns would see a home release on the Mega Drive, however.

Promotional material

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  System C JP flyer

Physical scans

System C, JP