Columns

Columns is a puzzle game for the Sega Mega Drive, The Entertainer 3000 and Arcade, playable with one or two players. It is similar to the game Tetris, and is seen as a Tetris clone, however, it also has many differences. In this game you need to clear jewels by aligning jewels of the same color. It was created by Jay Geertsen for the XWindows system, and later, he sold the rights to Sega. It has been ported to Sega Game Gear and Sega Master System, and it has many sequels and remakes. In 2006, it was ported to Wii's Virtual Console. In late 2022, it was ported to the Nintendo Switch Online.

Visually, in comparison to Tetris' Russian theme, Columns has a more Classical theme.

Description
Go back in time to a bygone civilization, the ancient world of Phoenica. And play the game that originated among the Phoenican merchants--Columns. ''It's incredible captivating. You'll find yourself losing track of time.'' ''Yet is very simple. You don't have to be game whiz to play at the hardest level.''

Columns of sparkling, rainbow-colour jewels drop on after another. Arrange 3 or more jewels horizontally, vertically or diagonally and remove them from the play screen. If the columns pile up to the top, the game is over. If you have the urge to play something different, ''try Flash Columns. In the Flash Columns version,'' you'll be timed on how quickly you can make a flashing jewel disappear.

Start on the easiest level and work your way up. Or challenge one of the higher levels from the start. ''Play alone or with a friend. So simple and so captivating!'' With the help of the Phoenican gods you can perform miracles!

Clones
Columns has an Amiga clone named Coloris, the VGPocket has a clone cloned from an illegal clone for the NES which allows the falling columns of jewels to be rotated, and Yahoo! Towers is based on Columns.

Music
Clotho is the most recognized music of the game. The other main songs are Atropos and Lathesis. The three main songs are named after the Moirae of ancient Greece.

Game Gear
The Game Gear version had different, more flute-like music. The game design was also less cartoony and you could also change the shape of the columns. Designs other than gems included dice, card shapes (spades, hearts, etc.), and fruit.

Video
This is a compressed Trailer of the Mega Drive version of Columns, ported to the PSP in the Sega Mega Drive Collection. Press play to see how the game looks, and you can hear the song "Clotho". Almost no changes have been made. 