Sega Genesis: Columns
January 24, 2009 - 10:50 am - Posted by Sean
In the late 1980′s Tetris was “the game”, and every reputable game console had to have a version. Not wanting to miss out on the puzzle-game frenzy, Sega introduced Columns, a Tetris clone with its own twist for the Genesis.
Columns of three gems descend from the top of the screen and you need to line up three or more of the same color to make them disappear.
Sadly you can’t turn the stack of colorful gems sideways, but you can rotate the order of the gems.
It sounds simple, but once you get going, quick and strategic thinking is required. Unpredictable chain reactions inject excitement into the game.
Unlike Nintendo’s cartoonish incarnations of Tetris, Sega’s Columns has an Egyptian theme.
There isn’t much to see graphics-wise, but the soft, soothing organ music makes the game feel like a religious experience.
There are plenty of options including a nice two-player simultaneous mode.
The controls are a little too responsive, making the columns tricky to line up precisely. But the relaxing, addictive quality of this game cannot be denied.
I’ve always preferred the normal Tetris on my NES, so I never really got into Columns.
I loved this game and its music… it really did feel different. The sound effects were very pleasing in this title as well.
I agree with Bitmaster, I love the sound effects when clearing lines in this game.
Ah, Columns, the first version of a game so simple it can even be played on my cell phone. Well, my old one, at least; apparently my current one is even weaker.
Anyway, I always liked this game for the Game Gear version. My cousins and I would pass it around when it was too hot to go outside. I liked the sound, but the Tetris music is far more enduring.
Like Luke, I played Columns on my cell phone. From what I remember it wasn’t an exact port, but it was still a lot of fun to play.