The Sega puzzler turned classic, where you line up three coloured gems. Simple, elegant, perfect for short sessions : a must in the genre.
Your verdict
Category
Puzzle4 players3+
Description
The player aligns coloured gems to create chains in this Sega Mega Drive cult puzzle. Published by Sega, released in Japan in November 1990. Puzzle game aligning three identical gems vertically or horizontally, progressive levels and solo and versus modes.
Columns review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Lining up three gems of the same colour, horizontally, vertically or diagonally, and watching them vanish in a sparkling cascade: the mechanic clicks in seconds. The tension climbs as the fall speeds up and chains become vital. Hypnotic and inexhaustible, this arcade-born puzzle grabs you for endless sessions.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Lining up three gems of the same color to make them vanish, vertically or diagonally, sets a soothing tempo that insidiously spirals out of control. Watching the heap climb, chasing the saving combo and beating your score push you to restart the instant game over hits. The concept is minimal and a touch repetitive, yet this cascade of precious stones keeps an immediate, lasting grip.
The Japanese edition of Columns is the original pressing of Sega/HAES's puzzle via Sega Japan with a specific domestic sleeve. Collector value comes from the JP version being the original before Western localisation adjustments.
Better with friends
A column puzzler where you line up gems in threes to clear them before the stack buries you. In versus the competition turns snappy: a single well-placed combo dumps extra blocks onto your opponent. Simple to grasp yet tricky to dominate, it sparks last-second reversals and restarts with a flick for an instant rematch between two players.
Is Columns still worth playing in 2026?
A puzzle by Sega often compared to Tetris, Columns offers an original system where you align three symbols of the same colour to make them disappear. The cascade effect system brings real satisfaction and the two player versus mode remains excellent for local evenings. Visually minimalist but with perfect readability, the title keeps obvious charm and remains an excellent competitive puzzle on Mega Drive. For anyone wanting a classic pad puzzle or to challenge a friend, a warm recommendation still valid today indeed truly.
