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 X68000 SystemSoft
Developer: Sega X68000 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)

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Based on 5 reviews

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score

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Based on 0 reviews

Columns

Mega Drive Version

• US Manual ^(info) ()

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Mega Drive, US
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Mega Drive, EU
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Mega Drive, JP
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Master System Version

Master System, US
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Master System, AU
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Master System, KR
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Game Gear Version

Game Gear, US
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Game Gear, EU
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Game Gear, JP
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Game Gear, JP (Meisaku Collection)
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Game Gear, BR
Cart

MSX Version

MSX, JP
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TurboGrafx-16 Version

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