View source for Columns (video game)

{{more footnotes needed|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Columns
| image = Columns.jpeg
| image_size = 
| caption = 
| developer = Jay Geertsen<ref name="RG"/>
| publisher = [[Sega]] (arcade and Sega consoles)
| designer = Jay Geertsen<ref name="RG"/>
| composer = Tokuhiko Uwabo
| series = ''Columns''
| platforms = {{collapsible list
 | title = [[HP-UX|HP-UX m68k]]
 | [[HP-UX|HP-UX m68k]], [[Classic Mac OS]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]], [[Master System|Mark III/Master System]], [[Sega CD|Mega-CD/Sega CD]], [[Game Gear]], [[Atari ST]], [[TurboGrafx-16|PC-Engine]], [[FM Towns]], [[NEC PC-8801]], [[NEC PC-9801]], [[X68000]], [[MSX2]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]], [[Game Boy Color]], [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Virtual Console]], [[iOS]], [[ZX Spectrum]]
 }}
| released = {{collapsible list
 | title = {{nobold|1989}}
 | '''HP-UX''' {{vgrelease|WW|1989}} '''Classic Mac OS''' {{vgrelease|WW|1989}} '''MS-DOS''' {{vgrelease|WW|1989}} '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|JP|March 1990<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Overseas Readers Column: "SF II", "Exhaust Note" Top Videos '92 |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]] |issue=441 |publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]] |date=1–15 January 1993 |page=36 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19930101p.pdf#page=19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Columns |url=https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M729027 |website=Media Arts Database |publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]] |access-date=5 July 2021}}</ref>|NA|June 1990<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Machine Catalog: Video Games |magazine=RePlay |date=October 1990 |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=78–85 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-16-issue-no.-1-october-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2016%2C%20Issue%20No.%201%20-%20October%201990/page/84/mode/2up}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |pages=130–1 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n131/mode/2up}}</ref>|EU|August 1990<ref name="SU103"/>}} '''Mega Drive/Genesis''' {{vgrelease|JP|June 30, 1990<ref name="Sega titles - Sega JP">{{cite web |title=Software List (Sega Release) |url=https://www.sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html |website=Sega Hard Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Sega|Sega Corporation]] |access-date=May 15, 2023 |language=ja}}</ref>|NA|September 1990<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/mega-play-february-1991/page/n39/mode/2up|title=MEGA REVIEWS!! The Sega Genesis/Master System Resource|magazine=Mega Play|issue=2|date=February 1991|pages=40-45|access-date=April 10, 2022}}</ref>|EU|1990}} '''Game Gear''' {{vgrelease|JP|October 6, 1990|EU/NA|April 26, 1991}} '''MSX2'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 25, 1990}}'''PC Engine'''{{vgrelease|JP|March 29, 1991}}'''X68000'''{{vgrelease|JP|October 16, 1991<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/sharp-x68000/columns|title = Columns for Sharp X68000 (1991)}}</ref>}} '''Super Famicom''' {{vgrelease|JP|August 1, 1999}}
 }}
| genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[List of Sega arcade system boards#Sega System C|Sega System C]]
}}

{{nihongo|'''''Columns'''''|コラムス|Koramusu|lead=yes}} is a [[match-three]] [[puzzle video game]] designed and developed by Jay Geertsen and shared in 1989. Originally developed for the [[Motorola 68000]]-based [[HP 9000]] running [[HP-UX]],<ref name="RG"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBDcpkqZpaY|title=Columns for HP-UX (1989) {{!}} First Ever Release, Before Sega Bought The Rights|date=May 2024 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/05/the-original-version-of-columns-for-the-hp-ux-has-just-been-found|title=The Original Version of Columns for the HP-UX Has Just Been Found|website=Time Extension|date=2 May 2024 |publisher=[[Gamer Network]]}}</ref> it was [[porting|ported]] to [[Classic Mac OS|Mac]] and [[MS-DOS]]<ref name="RG" /> before being released commercially by [[Sega]] who ported it to [[Arcade video game|arcades]] and then to several [[List of Sega video game consoles|Sega consoles]]. The game was subsequently ported to other [[home computer]]s, including the [[Atari ST]].

==History==
Columns was originally developed in 1989 by Jay Geertsen, a software engineer at [[Hewlett-Packard|Hewlett-Packard (HP)]], as a personal project to learn [[X Window System|X11]] programming on the [[HP-UX]] operating system. After completing the game, Geertsen shared it with colleagues at HP, which led to interest in porting it to other platforms. Two of his colleagues took the initiative to create ports for the Macintosh and MS-DOS.

As these ports gained popularity, Sega became aware of Columns and expressed interest in acquiring the commercial rights to the game. They reached out to Geertsen through an independent lawyer to initiate discussions. Recognising the implications of this interest, Geertsen informed HP of the situation, given that he had utilised corporate resources during the game's development.  Escalating the matter to his management, a review of the potential deal with Sega was prompted. HP took approximately six months to deliberate on the request, ultimately deciding to sell non-exclusive rights to Sega. Meanwhile, HP retained the rights to distribute Geertsen's original X11 version of Columns alongside HP-UX.<ref name="RG" />

==Gameplay==
''Columns'' was one of the many [[Tile-matching video game|tile-matching puzzle games]] to appear after the great success of ''[[Tetris]]'' in the late 1980s.<ref name="cgw19900708">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1990&pub=2&id=73|title=The Maturation of Computer Entertainment: Warming The Global Village|magazine=Computer Gaming World|date=1990-07-08|access-date=16 November 2013|pages=11}}</ref> The game itself is enclosed within a tall, rectangular playing area. 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". While a column is falling, the player can move it left and right, and can also cycle the positions of the symbols within it. After a column lands, if three or more of the same symbols are connected in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line, those symbols disappear. The pile of columns then settles under gravity. If this resettlement causes three or more other symbols to align, they too disappear and the cycle repeats. Occasionally, a special column with a multicolor Magic Jewel appears. It destroys all the jewels with the same color as the one underneath it. The columns fall at a faster rate as the player progresses. The goal of the game is to play for as long as possible before the well fills up with jewels, which ends the game. Players can score up to 99,999,999 points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/highest-points-total-on-columns-(mega-drive-version)/|title=Highest points total on Columns (Mega Drive version)|website=Guinness World Records|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref>

Some ports of the game offer alternate game modes as well. "Flash columns" involves mining through a set number of lines to get to a flashing jewel at the bottom. "Doubles" allows two players to work together in the same well. "Time trial" involves racking up as many points as possible within the time limit.

==Ports==
In 1990, Sega ported Columns to the arcade, and then to the [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]] console. These two versions were nearly identical.<ref name="RG">{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Adam |title=The Making Of: Columns |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/retro-gamer/20190711/281599537055264 |access-date=5 July 2021 |work=[[Retro Gamer]] |via=[[PressReader]] |date=11 July 2019}}</ref>

''Columns'' was the first [[pack-in game]] for the [[Game Gear]]. This version was slightly different from the Mega Drive/Genesis version and its soundtrack was transposed and rearranged due to limitations of the handheld's sound chip. While the columns themselves were updated for the Mega Drive/Genesis version, the overall decoration was less like a cartoon in the Game Gear version and instead more artistically designed. Lastly, the Game Gear version had a feature that let the player change the jewels to fruit, squares, dice, or [[playing card suit]]s (clubs, diamonds, spades, and hearts).

In 1990, [[Compile (company)|Compile]] and [[Telenet Japan]] developed and published an [[MSX2]] version.

In November 2006, ''Columns'' was released as part of the game ''[[Sega Genesis Collection]]'' for the PlayStation 2, and later on another release of the above compilation for [[PlayStation Portable]]. The same year on December 4, it was released on [[Nintendo]]'s [[Virtual Console]] for 800 [[Nintendo Points|Wii Points]]. It is also included on ''[[Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection]]'' for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/news/virtual-console-lineup-unveiled|title=Wii Virtual Console Lineup Unveiled |access-date=2006-11-01|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|date=2006-10-31|publisher=[[1UP.com]]}}</ref> It was included as one of the games in the [[Sega Genesis Mini]]. It was also included as one of the games in the 2018 releases of [[Sega Genesis Classics]] for [[Windows]], [[Linux]], [[macOS]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Nintendo Switch]]. Most recently, the game was ported to [[iOS]], but the port was subsequently withdrawn by [[Sega]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/5/18/8622645/sega-pulls-games-from-itunes-app-store-google-play|title=Sega pulls more than a dozen games from iTunes App Store, Google Play|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=2015-05-18|access-date=2021-07-04}}</ref> The game was re-released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service in December 2022.

==Music==
Tokuhiko Uwabo composed the music for ''Columns''. The tracks "[[Clotho]]", "[[Atropos]]" and "[[Lachesis (mythology)|Lathesis]]" are named after the [[Moirai]] from [[Greek mythology]].

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| ARC = true
| SMD = true
| SMS = true
| GR_SMD = 56.3% (retrospective)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586114-columns/index.html|title=Columns review score|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901152721/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586114-columns/index.html|archive-date=2016-09-01}}</ref>
| CVG_ARC = 87%<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Rignall |first1=Julian |author1-link=Julian Rignall |title=Arcade Action |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 September 1990 |issue=107 (October 1990) |pages=98–100 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/200/81}}</ref>
| CVG_SMS = 88%<ref name="CVG">{{cite journal |title=Guide: Sega |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=November 1990 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles: Volume IV |pages=89–110 |url=https://archive.org/details/Complete_Guide_to_Consoles_Volume_IV_1990_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n88}}</ref>
| GamePro_SMS = 18/25<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/90/GamePro_US_017.pdf |title=Sega ProView: ''Columns'' |last=Lang |first=Chip |magazine=[[GamePro]] |date=December 1990 |page=136}}</ref>
| SUser_ARC = 79%<ref name="SU103">{{cite magazine |title=Coin Ops |magazine=[[Sinclair User]] |date=18 August 1990 |issue=103 (September 1990) |publisher=[[EMAP]] |location=United Kingdom |pages=56–7 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/132/81}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Console XS]]''
| rev1_SMS = 91%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Software A-Z: Master System |magazine=[[Console XS]] |date=23 April 1992 |issue=1 (June/July 1992) |publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]] |location=United Kingdom |pages=137–47 |url=https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/137}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[MegaTech]]''
| rev2_SMD = 88%<ref>MegaTech rating, ''[[MegaTech]]'', [[EMAP]], issue 5, page 78, May 1992</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Sega Power]]''
| rev3_SMS = 93%<ref>{{cite magazine|date=May 1991|title=Readers top 10 – Master System|magazine=[[Sega Power]]|issue=18|page=7|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ASegaPower_UK_18.pdf&page=7}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]''
| rev4_SMD = B+ ([[Sega CD]])<ref name="Wizard"/>
| Allgame_SMD = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=302&tab=review |title=Columns (Sega Genesis) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114183731/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=302&tab=review |archive-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev1_SMD = 84%<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 1992 |title=A-Z Software |url=https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/128/mode/2up |magazine=Console XS |issue=1 |pages=128 |access-date=March 31, 2022}}</ref>
}}

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Columns'' on their April 15, 1990 issue as being the eighth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=378|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 April 1990|page=25|lang=ja}}</ref> It went on to be Japan's fourth highest-grossing arcade game of 1990 (below [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Final Fight (video game)|Final Fight]]'' and [[List of Tetris variants|Sega's ''Tetris'']] and ''[[Super Monaco GP]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=第４回ゲーメスト大賞 〜 インカム部門ベスト10 |trans-title=4th Gamest Awards – Income Category: Best 10 |magazine=[[Gamest]] |date=December 27, 1990 |volume=54 (February 1991) |url=https://archive.org/details/gamest0054/page/24 |pages=6–24 (24) |language=ja}} [http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~dummy/gamest/magazine/gamest/v054.html alternate url]</ref> and third highest-grossing arcade conversion kit of 1991 (below Capcom's ''[[Street Fighter II]]'' and Sega's ''Tetris'').<ref name="GM419">{{cite magazine |title="Final Fight II" and "Final Lap 2" Top Videos: Video Games of The Year '91 |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]] |issue=419 |publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]] |date=1 February 1992 |page=26 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19920201p.pdf#page=14}}</ref>

Reviewing the game's appearance in ''Sega Arcade Classics'' for the [[Sega CD]], [[Glenn Rubenstein]] gave it a B+ rating in ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' magazine, describing it as "like ''[[Tetris]]'' but a bit better".<ref name="Wizard">{{cite journal|last=Rubenstein|first=Glenn|date=January 1993|title=At the Controls|journal=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]|issue=17|pages=21–24|publisher=[[Wizard Entertainment]]}}</ref> ''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]'' placed the game at number 34 in their "Top Mega Drive Games of All Time".<ref>Mega magazine issue 1, page 76, [[Future Publishing]], Oct 1992</ref> In 2017, [[GamesRadar+|Gamesradar]] ranked the game 40th on its "Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time".<ref>{{Cite web|last=GamesRadar Staff|date=2017-06-21|title=Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-sega-genesis-games-all-time/|access-date=2022-02-21|website=gamesradar}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Many [[sequel]]s and spin-offs were produced: ''[[Columns II|Columns II: The Voyage Through Time]]'', ''[[Columns III|Columns III: Revenge of Columns]]'', ''Columns '97'', ''[[Sakura Taisen: Hanagumi Taisen Columns]] 1 & 2'', and many compilations and re-releases (''Columns Arcade Collection'', ''[[Sega Ages#Sega Ages (Sega Saturn)|Sega Ages Vol. 07: Columns]]'') as well. Since ''Columns'' was created by [[Sega]], versions were made available on the [[Master System]], [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]], [[Sega CD]], [[Game Gear]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]], and [[Dreamcast]]. Additional versions of the game have also been made available on [[TurboGrafx-16|PC-Engine]], [[Game Boy Advance]], and [[PlayStation 2]]. A [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] version was released in Japan via the [[Nintendo Power (cartridge)|Nintendo Power]] service.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n03/sf/npnew/pdf/bclj.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2004-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040406031312/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n03/sf/npnew/pdf/bclj.pdf |archive-date=2004-04-06 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Game Boy Color]] version was specifically called ''Columns GB: [[Osamu Tezuka]] Characters'', where it featured many of his characters such as [[Kimba the White Lion|Kimba]] and [[Astroboy]], but also featured slightly less known characters like [[Unico]].

''Columns'' has also been [[Video game clone|cloned]] many times across different platforms:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Platform !! Release date !! Developer !! Publisher !! Notes
|-
| ''[[Coloris]]'' || [[Amiga]] || rowspan="2"|1990 || Signum Victoriae || Avesoft ||
|-
| ''Magic Jewelry'' || [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] || [[Hwang Shinwei]] || RCM Group || Released on unlicensed [[multicart]]s.
|-
| ''Columns'' || [[ZX Spectrum]] || rowspan="2"|1991 || Piter Ltd. || Piter Ltd. || 
|-
| ''Magic Jewelry II'' || [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] || [[Hwang Shinwei]] || RCM Group || With the addition of new features, it is the sequel to ''Magic Jewelry''.
|-
| ''[[Jewelbox (video game)|Jewelbox]]'' || [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]] || 1992 || Rodney and Brenda Jacks || Varcon Systems ||
|-
| ''Xixit'' || [[MS-DOS]] || 1995 ||  John Hood, Tomasz Pytel; music by [[Andrew Sega]] || Optik Software ||
|-
| ''Yahoo! Towers'' || [[Java (programming language)|Java]] || 1999/2000 || [[Yahoo! Games]] || Yahoo! Games || This clone allows up to eight players to compete against each other.
|-
| ''BREF Columns'' || rowspan="3"|[[IOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]] || 2013 || Mumblecore || Mumblecore || 
|-
| ''Magic Jewelry 3'' || 2015 || Guolin Ou || Guolin Ou || A magic column appears when a level is cleared, with which a player can clear all the jewels in same color.
|-
| ''Molums'' || 2018 || Antonelli Francisco || Wisefox ||
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|id=7369|name=Columns}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/columns}}
* [http://vc.sega.jp/vc_columns/ ''Columns'' for Virtual Console] {{in lang|ja}}

{{Columns series}}
{{Franchises owned by Sega Sammy Holdings}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Columns (Video Game)}}
[[Category:1989 video games]]
[[Category:Articles contradicting other articles]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Falling block puzzle games]]
[[Category:FM Towns games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Game Gear games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Color games]]
[[Category:MSX2 games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-8801 games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-9801 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Pack-in video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 3 games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Master System games]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:Sega video game franchises]]
[[Category:Sega CD games]]
[[Category:Sega arcade games]]
[[Category:Sega Meganet games]]
[[Category:X68000 games]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-16 games]]
[[Category:Unix games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]