Columns (SMD)
Released June 29, 1990
Developed and published by SEGA
Also on SEGA Master System, Super Nintendo, Arcade, FM Towns Marty, MSX, TurboGrafx-16, Sharp X68000, Game Gear, NEC PC88, PC as well as the Wii and 3DS Virtual Consoles.
Drift back to ancient Phoenicia and challenge yourself with Columns, a game favoured by middle eastern merchants. In this mesmerising pastime, tinker with your riches to align glittering jewels across, down, or diagonally. As you line up colours, the gems vanish and more sparklers drop from above. The challenge increases as the jewels fall more rapidly. You must quickly align them before the columns reach the top. You don’t have to be a joystick whiz to excel, even at the hardest levels. Try Flash Columns and make a flashing jewel disappear before time runs out. Enjoy solitary games, or play with a friend. Imagine yourself on the warm Mediterranean coast, or drifting over a languid sea. Forget the passage of time, and tickle your mind with Columns, the brilliant game of strategy and skill.