Difference between revisions of "Columns"

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Revision as of 15:10, 2 September 2013

n/a

Columns SystemC2Title.png

Columns
System(s): Sega System C, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, FM Towns, MSX, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801 PC Engine, Sharp X68000, Super Famicom
Publisher: Sega,
NEC PC-8801
NEC PC-9801
X68000
SystemSoft
PC Engine
Laser Soft
MSX
FM Towns/FM Towns Marty
Telenet Japan
Developer:
Genre: Puzzle

















Release Date RRP Code
CERO
Missing Parameter!

Columns (コラムス) is a puzzle game created by Jay Geertsen in 1989. The rights were sold to Sega in 1990, who brought the game to the Sega System C arcade board, with its subsequent success seeing the game released on a wide variety of platforms. Columns is frequently seen as Sega's answer to Tetris, which although did not escape Sega platforms, was making a name for itself on Nintendo's Game Boy. In Brazil it is known as Shapes and Columns.

Gameplay

Columns is a falling-block puzzle game. Like Tetris, the aim of the game is to try and stay alive - "columns" fall from the top of the screen, landing on-top of each other, and should the "pile" reach the top of the screen, the game is over. Success is determined by strategic placing of columns, and as the game progresses, the rate at which the columns fall increases.

In Columns, each column is made up of three coloured jewels stacked on top of each other. If three or more jewels of the same colour are aligned horizontally, vertically or diagonally, the jewels will be destroyed, and any jewels placed above will fall downwards. Unlike Tetris, the reliance on gravity means gameplay is combo-driven - repeated combos will spawn a "magic jewel" (in most versions of the game), which when collided with a normal jewel will eliminate all jewels of that colour on-screen. Games are played on a 6x13 grid, and points are awarded by destroying jewels (players also receive a bonus for starting the game at higher difficulties). In the majority of versions, hints will be displayed for the player up until level 3.

There are six coloured jewels in total:

Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png

Many home versions of the game allow for the graphics to be changed, most notably the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear variants, as well as home computer ports by SystemSoft.

Controls

There are only four buttons utilised in Columns. Left and Right move a falling column left or right across the screen, respectively, while Down speeds up the rate at which the column falls.

The remaining button is used to "rotate" the column as shown below:

Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png

Right

Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png

Right

Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png
Columns sprites.png

There is no option to rotate the columns in the opposite direction. Columns can only be rotated while they are moving, however a certain amount of leeway (i.e. about a second) is given to columns which have just "landed".

Modes

Game modes differ depending on the version of Columns:

"Arcade"/Original

All versions of the game have an interpretation of the "arcade" (or "classic") columns described above - an theoretically endless game in which columns continue to fall until the screen is filled.

2-Player

"Standard" 2-player mode, found in the arcade version of the game is largely identical to the arcade mode above, except two players are supported. It is not a competitive mode, so players can join and leave at will. Some versions remove this mode for logistical reasons, for example, the Sega Game Gear port where the handheld nature of the console renders this mode largely pointless, and the PC Engine version, in which the console only has one control port as standard.

Versus

Offered in most non-arcade versions of the game, versus has two players compete against each other, the winner being the player who lasts the longest. Unlike other puzzle games of this nature (perhaps most notably, Puyo Puyo), there are no methods of "attacking" your opponent, so is very similar to the above.

Flash Columns

Flash Columns, featured in the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear versions of the game, has 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 or her rank will be.

Time Trial

Exclusive to the Mega Drive version, time trial involves wither the original "arcade" game or flash columns to be played as a three minute time-limited game.

Doubles

Also exclusive to the Mega Drive version, this can be seen as a cooperative two player mode, in which the original mode or flash columns can be played on the same screen.

Stone

Exclusive to the PC Engine version when playing on a PC Engine GT/TurboExpress (TODO)

Freeze

Exclusive to the PC Engine version when playing on a PC Engine GT/TurboExpress (TODO)

History

Development

Columns was originally conceived by Jay Geertsen while working at Hewlett-Packard in 1989. It was originally created for the HP-UX operating system (utilising the X Window System), however the relative obscurity of the platform, particularly amongst home consumers, saw ports to other systems. Nathan Meyers brought it to DOS for IBM PC customers (1989), Chris Christensen to the Macintosh (1990) and John Rotenstein for Windows 3.x (1990). It was also brought to the Atari ST in 1989.

In early 1990, Geertsen sold the rights to Sega, who has controlled the license ever since. Sega is not thought to own the code of the aforementioned versions, just the mechanics surrounding the game.

Legacy

Following its success in arcades, Columns was brought to the Sega Mega Drive, in the form of a very accurate arcade conversion. The Mega Drive Columns was the first puzzle game to hit the system in most territories - though Tetris had seen a Mega Drive release in Japan in 1988, legal issues forced it to be removed from shelves and the game has been rarely mentioned since. Columns is a relatively small game by Mega Drive standards, and so has been re-released multiple times across many compilations. It was also re-released several times between 1993 and 1996 in North America, presumably to try and clear old stock.

Columns was a launch title for the Sega Game Gear, which debuted in Japan in October 1990. It was also brought to the Sega Master System later in the year.

SystemSoft were given the rights to publish Japanese home computer versions of the game between 1991 and 1992, including the PC-8801, PC-9801 and Sharp X68000. MSX and FM Towns versions were handled by Telenet Japan, while a PC Engine port was brought to the system by Laser Soft. Perhaps most peculiarly, Media Factory were given the rights to produce a Super Famicom version, released in the very late year of 1999. It was distributed through the Japan-exclusive Nintendo Power rewritable cartridge service and is the only Sega property to see an official release on Nintendo's Super Famicom.

There have been multiple sequels to Columns, starting with 1990's Columns II: The Voyage Through Time and 1993's Columns III: Revenge of Columns. The System C version of the game was released as part of the Sega Saturn compilation, Columns Arcade Collection. The Mega Drive version has also been released on Steam and as part of the Wiis Virtual Console service. Multiple unlicensed versions of the game exist, as well as many clones.

Throughout its life, Columns has never achieved the same level of success as Tetris, however continues to see sequels to this day.

Physical Scans

System C Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
87 №107
Arcade
 87
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Columns

Template:ScanflyerTemplate:Scanflyer

Mega-Tech version

Mega-Tech,
Columns MT cover.jpg
Cover

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 №3, p46
88 №4, p28
90
88
70 №9, p113
81 №1
74 №6, p42
77
80 №23, p53
90 №2, p19
84 №18, p64
Sega Mega Drive
 83
Based on
11 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Ação Games (BR)
75
[1]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[2]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
83
[3]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
90
[4]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
88
[5]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
88
[6]
Console XS (UK) PAL
84
[7]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
63
[8]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
77
[9]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
68
[10]
The Games Machine (IT)
88
[11]
Joystick (FR)
70
[12]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
79
[13]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
77
[14]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
68
[15]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
85
[16]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
88
[17]
Player One (FR)
74
[18]
Power Play (DE)
77
[19]
Sega Power (UK)
82
[20]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[21]
Sega Pro (UK)
90
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
84
[23]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
76
[24]
Tilt (FR)
85
[25]
Top Secret (PL) Mega Games I
75
[26]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
80
[27]
User (GR)
97
[28]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[29]
Sega Mega Drive
 80
Based on
29 reviews

Columns

Mega Drive, US
Columns md us cover.jpg
Cover
Columns md us cart.jpg
Cart
Columns md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (Sega Classic)
Columns MD US Box Classic VRC.jpg
Cover
Columns md us cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, US
(Sega Classic) (newer)
Columns MD US Box SegaClassic.jpg
Cover
Columns md us cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
Columns md eu cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, JP
Columns md jp cover.jpg
Cover
Columns MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, BR
Columns MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Columns MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №3, p35
88 №4, p94
84 №110
90 №12, p116
89 №2, p78/79
85 №5, p50
63
90 №4, p32
80 №23, p56
92 №2, p19
Sega Master System
 85
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Buzz! Computers (UK)
85
[30]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
89
[31]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
88
[32]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
90
[33]
Console XS (UK) PAL
91
[34]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
84
[35]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
55
[36]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
89
[37]
Game Mania (UK)
90
[38]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
72
[39]
Gamers (DE)
67
[40]
Joystick (FR)
90
[41]
Mean Machines (UK)
89
[42]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
90
[43]
Player One (FR)
85
[44]
Power Play (DE)
63
[45]
Raze (UK)
90
[46]
Sega Power (UK)
93
[47]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[48]
Sega Pro (UK)
92
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
91
[49]
Tilt (FR)
85
[50]
Tilt (FR)
85
[25]
Zzap! (IT)
90
[51]
Sega Master System
 84
Based on
24 reviews

Columns

Master System, US
Columns sms us cover.jpg
Cover
Columns sms us cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, EU
Columns sms eu cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU
Columns SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
Columns SMS BR backcover.jpgNospine.pngColumns SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, KR (Korea Oacs)
Columns SMS KR Box.jpg
Cover
Columns SMS KR OACS cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, KR (Samsung)
Columns SMS KR Box Back Samsung.jpgColumns SMS KR Box Spine Samsung.jpgColumns SMS KR Alt cover.jpg
Cover
Columns SMS KR Cart Samsung.jpg
Cart

Game Gear Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
68 №48
80 №23, p61
80 №2, p19
Sega Game Gear
 76
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
68
[52]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[53]
Console XS (UK) PAL
92
[54]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
85
[55]
Game Mania (UK)
86
[56]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[57]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
88
[58]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[59]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
91
[60]
Sega Pro (UK)
80
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[61]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
66
[62]
Zero (UK)
93
[63]
Sega Game Gear
 80
Based on
13 reviews

Columns

Game Gear, US
Columns GG US backcover.jpgNospine.pngColumns gg us cover.jpg
Cover
Columns gg us cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
Columns gg eu cover.jpg
Cover
Columns gg eu cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, JP
Columns gg jp cover.jpg
Cover
Columns gg jp cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, JP
(Meisaku Collection)
Columns GG JP Box Front Meisaku.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, BR
Columns GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Columns GG BR cart.jpg
Cart
Columns gg br manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, KR

FM Towns Version

FM Towns, JP

MSX Version

MSX, JP
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120pxColumns MSX JP Box Front.jpg
Cover

NEC PC-8801 Version

NEC PC-8801, JP

NEC PC-9801 Version

NEC PC-9801, JP
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120px
Cover

PC Engine Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №16
PC Engine
 82
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
71
[64]
Joystick (FR)
82
[65]
Player One (FR)
72
[66]
PC Engine
 75
Based on
3 reviews

Columns

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

Sharp X68000 Version

Sharp X68000, JP
Columns X68000 JP Box Front.jpg
Cover

Super Famicom Version

Super Famicom, JP

External Links



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)
  1. ↑ Ação Games, "Junho 1991" (BR; 1991-06-19), page 27
  2. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1990" (DE; 1990-10-26), page 138
  3. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "July 1990" (JP; 1990-06-08), page 17
  4. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume III" (UK; 1990-08-xx), page 46
  5. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 28
  6. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 45
  7. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 128
  8. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 20
  9. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 32
  10. ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-0x-xx), page 1
  11. ↑ The Games Machine, "Novembre 1990" (IT; 1990-1x-xx), page 83
  12. ↑ Joystick, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 113
  13. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  14. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "October 1990" (JP; 1990-09-08), page 79
  15. ↑ Mega Play, "February 1991" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 41
  16. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 33
  17. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  18. ↑ Player One, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 42
  19. ↑ Power Play, "9/90" (DE; 1990-08-17), page 122
  20. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-06), page 12
  21. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 53
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Sega Pro, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-21), page 21
  23. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  24. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Tilt, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 71
  26. ↑ Top Secret, "Kwiecień 1995" (PL; 1995-xx-xx), page 57
  27. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 10
  28. ↑ User, "Mártios 1991" (GR; 1991-0x-xx), page 66
  29. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "November 1990" (US; 1990-1x-xx), page 66
  30. ↑ Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)
  31. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume III" (UK; 1990-08-xx), page 35
  32. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 94
  33. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 55
  34. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 139
  35. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-15), page 133
  36. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "September 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 16
  37. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 131
  38. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  39. ↑ GamePro, "December 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 138
  40. ↑ Gamers, "Dezember/Januar 1993" (DE; 1992-11-19), page 104
  41. ↑ Joystick, "Janvier 1991" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 116
  42. ↑ Mean Machines, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-29), page 78
  43. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 133
  44. ↑ Player One, "Janvier 1991" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 50
  45. ↑ Power Play, "12/90" (DE; 1990-11-16), page 165
  46. ↑ Raze, "February 1991" (UK; 1990-12-20), page 32
  47. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-11-01), page 34
  48. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 56
  49. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  50. ↑ Tilt, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 72
  51. ↑ Zzap!, "Febbraio 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 22
  52. ↑ ACE, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-08), page 74
  53. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1991" (JP; 1991-01-08), page 84
  54. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 147
  55. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 165
  56. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  57. ↑ Hippon Super, "February 1991" (JP; 1991-01-07), page 42
  58. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
  59. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 61
  60. ↑ Sega Power, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-04), page 38
  61. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  62. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
  63. ↑ Zero, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-0x-xx), page 91
  64. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "August/September 1991" (DE; 1991-07-26), page 126
  65. ↑ Joystick, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 166
  66. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 68
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