About

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/3316/398935-columns3.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-398935" data-ratio="0.87153284671533" data-width="685" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 685px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:87.2%" href="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/3316/398935-columns3.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-398935"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/0/3316/398935-columns3.jpg" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/3316/398935-columns3.jpg 685w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/0/3316/398935-columns3.jpg 480w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/0/3316/398935-columns3.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a></figure><p>Columns (known in South American home versions as <em>Shapes and Columns</em>) is a <a href="/falling-blocks/3015-4539/" data-ref-id="3015-4539">falling-block</a> <a href="/block-matching/3015-3778/" data-ref-id="3015-3778">tile-matching</a> puzzle game developed and released by <a href="/sega/3010-62/" data-ref-id="3010-62">Sega</a> for <a href="/arcade/3045-84/" data-ref-id="3045-84">arcades</a> (using <a href="/genesis/3045-6/" data-ref-id="3045-6">Genesis</a>-based Sega System C hardware) on March 1990. It was later released for the <a href="/genesis/3045-6/" data-ref-id="3045-6">Sega Genesis</a> in June 30, 1990 in Japan, with an overseas release months later.</p><p>A falling-block game similar to the 1984 game <a href="/tetris/3030-1896/" data-ref-id="3030-1896">Tetris</a>, Columns has players manipulating stacks (or "columns") of three <a href="/jewel/3055-1737/" data-ref-id="3055-1737">jewels</a> falling from the top of the playfield in order to create a three-or-more match of jewels of the same type (which causes those jewels to disappear and every jewel directly above them to fall down, potentially causing <a href="/combo/3015-18/" data-ref-id="3015-18">chains of matches</a>). The gamed is themed after the ancient civilization of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenicia" data-target="true" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Phoenicia</a>.</p><p>While the game is known for being Sega's signature tile-matching puzzle game (after they lost the rights to publish their versions of <a href="/tetris/3030-1896/" data-ref-id="3030-1896">Tetris</a>), it originated outside of Sega as a 1989 game for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-UX" data-target="true" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">HP-UX</a> by Hewlett-Packard employee Jay Geertsen. The initial game was only distributed internally with the company's developers, with two of Jay's HP colleagues porting the game as <a href="/shareware/3015-1324/" data-ref-id="3015-1324">shareware</a> outside of the company to both <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">DOS</a> (by Nathan Meyers) and <a href="/mac/3045-17/" data-ref-id="3045-17">Macintosh</a> (by Chris Christensen) computers. The popularity of these ports, along with numerous unofficial computer ports, led Sega to purchase the rights to the game.</p><p>Along with ports to multiple consoles, Japanese computers, and handhelds over the years, the game received <a href="/columns/3025-97/" data-ref-id="3025-97">multiple sequels</a> and was included in numerous Sega compilations. It was included in both the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Genesis_Mini" data-target="true" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Sega Genesis Mini</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Genesis_Mini" data-target="true" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Game Gear Micro</a> micro-consoles. The <a href="/game-gear/3045-5/" data-ref-id="3045-5">Game Gear</a> version was notable for being both a <a href="/launch-titles/3015-238/" data-ref-id="3015-238">launch title</a> and the first <a href="/pack-in-game/3015-1247/" data-ref-id="3015-1247">pack-in game</a> (for the Japanese version).</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>In Columns, players are given an empty 6×13 playfield and are given a never-ending series of "columns" of three jewels (each jewel being one of six distinct types of jewels, each with different colors and shapes) falling from the top of the playfield.</p><p>As the game is <a href="/survival-mode/3015-3567/" data-ref-id="3015-3567">endless</a>, the player's objective is to clear as many jewels as they can before the playfield is full and no additional columns can be sent down. Jewels can be cleared from the playfield if players manipulate the columns in a way so that three or more jewels of the same type are lined up (either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally). As jewels disappear from the playfield, all jewels directly above them automatically fall down, potentially causing <a href="/combo/3015-18/" data-ref-id="3015-18">chains of matches</a> for bonus points.</p><p>Each column of jewels can be manipulated in three ways: moving left and right (by moving the joystick leftward and rightward), increasing the falling speed (by moving the joystick downward), and changing the jewel order (by pressing the button). The column's overall shape cannot be changed (unlike other games of the time, such as <a href="/tetris/3030-1896/" data-ref-id="3030-1896">Tetris</a>, <a href="/dr-mario/3030-17641/" data-ref-id="3030-17641">Dr. Mario</a>, and <a href="/puyo-puyo/3030-1916/" data-ref-id="3030-1916">Puyo Puyo</a>), with players instead cycling the order of all three jewels. At certain intervals, players are given a special column containing three Magic Jewels. These cannot be cycled and instead serve a special purpose: if it lands on a jewel, then all jewels on the playfield of the same type are cleared.</p><p>As more jewels are cleared, the difficulty level of the game <a href="/dynamic-difficulty/3015-7888/" data-ref-id="3015-7888">increases</a>, causing the speed at which the columns fall to become faster. This gives players less time to think and can cause placement mistakes. It also increases the amount of points given for a match. At the beginning of the game, players are given the option to either start with no points at level 0 (Easy), start with 20000 points at level 5 (Medium), or start at 50000 points at level 10 (Hard). At levels 0-2, players are given visual hints for potential matches using the current column, but do not have access to Magic Jewels.</p><p>Players are scored for each match of jewels based on the number of jewels cleared (10 points per jewel), the current difficulty level (each level adding 1 to the multiplier), and the current combo of matches (each combo adding 1 to the multiplier). Points are also given for manually speeding up the fall of the column.</p><p>In the original arcade game (and the Arcade Mode of the home release), a second player can join-in at any time and start their own game of Columns. This is treated as two simultaneous single-player games on one arcade machine, with neither player affecting each-other.</p><h3>Alternate Game Modes</h3><p>In the home release, players are given two additional modes on top of the standard Arcade Mode: Original Game and Flash Columns. Some versions of the game</p><ul><li>In <strong>Original Game</strong>, players are given more options prior to starting the game, including whether to limit the game to three-minute <a href="/time-trials/3015-1361/" data-ref-id="3015-1361">Time Trial</a> sessions. Players can choose which level to start with (from 0-9), although unlike Arcade Mode players do not start with additional points for harder levels.</li></ul><ul><li>In <strong>Flash Columns</strong>, players are given a playfield with a certain amount of rows pre-filled with random jewels (none of which cause a match at the start) and must reach and clear one flashing jewel at the bottom of the playfield as fast as they can. Rather than keeping score, players are instead timed. Players can choose how many rows are filled from the start (from 2-9). In 2-Player mode, an optional "Match" setting makes it competitive, with both players racing to reach their goal first.</li></ul><p>In addition, players can choose from three different difficulty classes, each of which affecting how many jewel types are used in the game: Novice (four types), Amateur (five types), and Pro (six types, similar to Arcade Mode). Players can also choose the background music to play: the original (CLOTHO) or one of two new music (LATHESIS and ATROPOS).</p><p>Rather than the join-in system of Arcade Mode, the game has players choosing from one of three player options: 1-Player, 2-Player, and Doubles. Doubles is unique as both players alternate turns on a single playfield. Like Arcade Mode, 2-Player Mode is treated as dual single-player games (with the exception of Flash Columns with the "Match" setting enabled). Some home versions include a Versus Mode option in which both players compete to outlast each-other. Each mode changes the game's UI, with 1-Player and Doubles moving the playfield front-and-center.</p><h2>Ports &amp; Re-Releases</h2><p>The Genesis version of the game was ported to <a href="/arcade/3045-84/" data-ref-id="3045-84">arcades</a> in Europe as a Mega-Tech System cartridge. It was also digitally released in Japan as part of the short-lived <a href="/sega-meganet/3015-7697/" data-ref-id="3015-7697">Sega Game Toshokan</a> service and was ported to the <a href="/sega-cd/3045-29/" data-ref-id="3045-29">Sega CD</a> as part of the <a href="/sega-classics-arcade-collection/3030-43485/" data-ref-id="3030-43485">Sega Classics Arcade Collection</a> compilation. It was also re-released in North America in 1992 as part of the <em>Sega Classic</em> series and was included in the <a href="/6-pak/3030-37005/" data-ref-id="3030-37005">6-Pak</a> compilation.</p><p>The game was ported to the <a href="/game-gear/3045-5/" data-ref-id="3045-5">Game Gear</a> in Japan as a <a href="/launch-titles/3015-238/" data-ref-id="3015-238">launch title</a> (and <a href="/pack-in-game/3015-1247/" data-ref-id="3015-1247">pack-in title</a>) on October 6, 1990, with an overseas release shortly thereafter. This version was used as the base for the <a href="/sega-master-system/3045-8/" data-ref-id="3045-8">Sega Master System</a> port, which was only released outside of Japan sometime afterwards. Both of these ports were the only ones done by <a href="/sega/3010-62/" data-ref-id="3010-62">Sega</a> themselves, and have some differences (such as the lack of an Arcade Mode and versus-style multiplayer). The GG version was re-released in Japan on July 23, 1993 as part of the <em>Meisaku Collection</em> series.</p><p>It was released for multiple home computers in 1990-1992 exclusively in Japan by <a href="/telenet-japan-co-ltd/3010-605/" data-ref-id="3010-605">Telenet Japan</a> (<a href="/fm-towns/3045-108/" data-ref-id="3045-108">FM Towns</a> and <a href="/msx/3045-15/" data-ref-id="3045-15">MSX</a>) and <a href="/systemsoft-alpha/3010-1645/" data-ref-id="3010-1645">SystemSoft</a> (<a href="/sharp-x68000/3045-95/" data-ref-id="3045-95">Sharp X68000</a>, <a href="/nec-pc-9801/3045-112/" data-ref-id="3045-112">NEC PC-9801</a>, and <a href="/nec-pc-8801/3045-109/" data-ref-id="3045-109">NEC PC-8801</a>). Telenet Japan also made the <a href="/turbografx-16/3045-55/" data-ref-id="3045-55">PC Engine</a> port of the game, released by <a href="/shin-nihon-laser-soft-co-ltd/3010-606/" data-ref-id="3010-606">Laser Soft</a> exclusively in Japan on March 1991. The PCE version of the game is notable for multiple Versus options and support for linked play with the PC Engine GT.</p><p>The game was also ported by <a href="/marigul-management-inc/3010-3343/" data-ref-id="3010-3343">Marigul</a> to the <a href="/super-nintendo-entertainment-system/3045-9/" data-ref-id="3045-9">Super Famicom</a>, released by <a href="/media-factory/3010-3701/" data-ref-id="3010-3701">Media Factory</a> on August 1999 for the <a href="/nintendo-power/3015-8760/" data-ref-id="3015-8760">Nintendo Power</a> kiosk-based service.</p><h3>Digital Re-releases &amp; Compilations</h3><p>The Genesis version was later digitally re-released for the Wii (as a Virtual Console title) in Japan (on December 2, 2006), North America (on December 4, 2006), and Europe (on December 7, 2006). The Game Gear version was later digitally re-released for the <a href="/nintendo-3ds/3045-117/" data-ref-id="3045-117">Nintendo 3DS</a> (also as a Virtual Console title) in Japan on August 8, 2012, with an overseas release on June 13, 20123.</p><p>The Genesis version was included in multiple emulated compilations, including the 1999 PC pack Sega Smash Pack, the 2001 <a href="/dreamcast/3045-37/" data-ref-id="3045-37">Dreamcast</a> pack <a href="/sega-smash-pack-volume-1/3030-10946/" data-ref-id="3030-10946">Sega Smash Pack: Volume 1</a>, the 2006 pack <a href="/sega-genesis-collection/3030-14457/" data-ref-id="3030-14457">Sega Genesis Collection</a> (for the <a href="/playstation-2/3045-19/" data-ref-id="3045-19">PlayStation 2</a> and <a href="/playstation-portable/3045-18/" data-ref-id="3045-18">PlayStation Portable</a>) the 2009 pack <a href="/sonics-ultimate-genesis-collection/3030-24218/" data-ref-id="3030-24218">Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection</a> (for the <a href="/xbox-360/3045-20/" data-ref-id="3045-20">Xbox 360</a> and <a href="/playstation-3/3045-35/" data-ref-id="3045-35">PlayStation 3</a>), and the 2016 <a href="/nintendo-3ds/3045-117/" data-ref-id="3045-117">Nintendo 3DS</a> pack <a href="/sega-3d-fukkoku-archives-3-final-stage/3030-55288/" data-ref-id="3030-55288">Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 3: FINAL STAGE</a>. It was digitally re-released for the <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a>, <a href="/mac/3045-17/" data-ref-id="3045-17">Mac</a>, and <a href="/linux/3045-152/" data-ref-id="3045-152">Linux</a> on September 13, 2010, which was later included in the <a href="/sega-genesis-classics/3030-67193/" data-ref-id="3030-67193">Sega Genesis Classics</a> compilation (for the <a href="/xbox-one/3045-145/" data-ref-id="3045-145">Xbox One</a>, <a href="/playstation-4/3045-146/" data-ref-id="3045-146">PlayStation 4</a>, <a href="/nintendo-switch/3045-157/" data-ref-id="3045-157">Nintendo Switch</a>, and <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a>).</p><p>The arcade version was included in the 1997 Japan-exclusive <a href="/saturn/3045-42/" data-ref-id="3045-42">Sega Saturn</a> compilation <a href="/sega-ages-columns-arcade-collection/3030-43279/" data-ref-id="3030-43279">Columns Arcade Collection</a>. A modified version was later included in the <a href="/nintendo-switch/3045-157/" data-ref-id="3045-157">Switch</a> port of <a href="/columns-ii-the-voyage-through-time/3030-29108/" data-ref-id="3030-29108">Columns II: The Voyage Through Time</a>.</p><p>The Genesis version was included in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Genesis_Mini" data-target="true" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Sega Genesis Mini</a> micro-console, while the Game Gear version was included in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Genesis_Mini" data-target="true" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Game Gear Micro</a> micro-console.</p>