Columns (video game)
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{{Infobox Arcade Game |title = Columns |image = Image:Columns.png |developer = Sega |publisher = Sega |designer = |release = 1990 |genre = Retro/Puzzle |modes = Up to 2 players, simultaneously |cabinet = Standard |arcade system = |monitor = Raster, standard resolution (320X224) 32 Colors |input = Joystick |ports = }} Columns (also called Jewels) is a puzzle arcade game and console game with many similarities to Tetris, which was released by Sega in 1990.
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Description
The game takes place inside a tall well-shaped playing area, as in Tetris. Columns of three different symbols (such as differently-colored jewels) appear, one at a time, at the top of the well and fall to the bottom, landing either on the floor or on top of previously-fallen columns.
Whilst a column is falling, the player can move it left and right, and can also cycle the positions of the symbols within it.
If, after a column has fallen, there are three or more of the same symbols connected in a straight line horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, those symbols disappear. The pile of columns then settles under gravity. If this causes three or more other systems to become aligned, they also disappear and the pile settles again. This process repeats as many times as necessary. It is not uncommon for this to happen three or four times in a row - it often happens by accident when the well is becoming crowded.
Occasionally, a special column called the Magic Jewel appears. The Magic Jewel flashes with different colours and when it lands, it destroys all the jewels with the same colour as the one underneath it.
Like Tetris, the columns fall faster and faster as the player progresses. The goal of the game is to play for as long as possible before the well fills up with symbols.
Other game modes
Some ports of the game offer alternate game modes. These include:
Flash columns: The player must mine their way through a set number of lines to get to a flashing jewel at the bottom. It is scored by the time it takes to achieve this.
Doubles: Where two players work together in the same well.
Time trial : Three minutes to get the highest score.
Ports and sequels
Many sequels and spinoffs were produced: Columns II: The Voyage Through Time (arcade), Columns III: Revenge of Columns (Megadrive), Columns 97' (Arcade and Saturn), Sakura Taisen Hanagumi Taisen Columns 1 and 2 (Saturn and Dreamcast), and many compilations and re-releases (Columns Arcade Collection on the Saturn, Sega Ages vol 07: Columns on the PS2) as well. Because Columns was made by Sega, versions were made available on the Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Game Gear, Saturn, and Dreamcast. Additional versions of the game have also been made available on TurboGrafx-16, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation 2.
As with Tetris, Columns has been cloned many times on different computers. There was an Amiga clone called Squigs, and there is also an online Java game heavily based on it called Yahoo! towers, which allows up to eight players to compete against each other.
Music
One of the most recognizable songs in Columns is called Clotho, presumably after the Greek Moira of the same name, related to the Greek flavor of some of the game's art. The other main songs include Atropos and Lathesis, other Moirae.
See also
- Magic Jewelry - the precursor of Columns.
External links
Categories: 1990 computer and video games | Arcade games | 1990 arcade games | Puzzle computer and video games | Sega Genesis games | Game Gear games | Sega Master System games | Sega games | PlayStation 2 games | Sega CD games | Sega Saturn games | Dreamcast games | Game Boy Color games | Game Boy Advance games