Columns

From Sega Retro

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,
TurboGrafx-16
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 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)
  • Super Famicom: Media Factory also produced a SNES port of Columns under that name in 1999, also released exclusively in Japan — this time through issues of the Japanese version of Nintendo Power. This version includes a competitive play option, a tutorial, alternate jewel shapes, and an option to have jewels drop faster than usual from the get-go.

Manuals

Mega Drive Version

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 Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90
88
70
81 №1
74
Sega Mega Drive
 81
Based on
5 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
Mega Drive, US (Sega Classic)
Columns MD US Box SegaClassic.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, EU
Columns md eu cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, JP
Columns md jp cover.jpg
Cover
Columns MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
84 №110
90
89
85
63
90 №4
Sega Master System
 84
Based on
6 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, South Korea
Columns SMS KR Box.jpg
Cover

Game Gear Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
68 №48
Sega Game Gear
 68
Based on
1 review
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 cart.jpg
Cart

MSX Version

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

Sharp X68000 Version

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

TurboGrafx-16 Version

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

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
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