A Columns spin in the Sakura Taisen universe blending puzzle play and cult characters. Classic gameplay, adorable presentation. Pleasant for series fans.
Your verdict
Category
Puzzle2 players7+
Description
Sakura Taisen characters play a Columns board game in this Sega Dreamcast puzzle game. Published by Sega, released in Japan in April 1999. Columns-style puzzle game with Sakura Taisen characters, gem alignments, versus mode between heroines. Japanese edition.
Sakura Taisen - Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2 review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Columns-style puzzling meets the Sakura Wars universe: lining up three gems to trigger chains takes on the air of a duel between characters dear to fans. The clear mechanic is grasped at once, and the versus mode spices up every game. Charming, colourful and snappy, an endearing spin-off that weds reflection and affectionate nods.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Dropping and matching gems in threes while rubbing shoulders with the heroines of Sakura Wars weds reflexes to fan pleasure in matches that string together fast. Triggering a cascade and aiming for the bigger combo immediately relaunches the round. A Columns spin-off deeply rooted in its license, it targets a specific crowd, but its catchy tempo and its fondness for its cast hold you willingly.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
Compare prices
Loading eBay listings…
Alert active — budget
$
Is Sakura Taisen - Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2 still worth playing in 2026?
A festive offshoot of the Sakura Taisen licence, this title grafts the series heroines onto Sega's Columns matching puzzle. The result is a colourful, snappy versus, punctuated by character specific special attacks and a polished production. The play remains the proven Columns formula, with no revolution, but the crossover is here perfectly integrated. For a fan of the series or a competitive puzzle player fond of crossovers, the title offers a joyful and tidy interlude.
