Console: Game Gear Micro (Red)
Game: Columns
Genre: Puzzle
(Sega, 1990 / 2020)
(*Cartridge and gems not included.) 😉
Columns released in the arcade, and for the Sega Mega Drive and Game Gear in 1990 in Japan, and also released in 1991 as a pack-in title with the Game Gear in North America. Since its original release, Columns has since gone on to become a beloved puzzle gaming classic.
Creating a cascading gem-zapping combo in Columns, together with its Ancient Greece inspired atmosphere, and incredibly catchy chip-tunes (by famed Sega composer Tokuhiko Uwabo), provides a rewarding, fun, and timeless gaming experience.
Aside from a slightly different title screen (light blue on the Game Gear version, as opposed to a black background title screen with statues on the SMS), and the option for 2 Players on the SMS, the GG version has much in common with the Master System port of the game.
In both versions, there are 2 game modes (Original, and Flash), 3 difficulty settings (Easy, Normal, Hard), 9 levels, 3 classic chip-tunes to choose from, and the choice of block type (classic gems, blocks, shapes, dice, and fruit).
This revered retro-classic makes its latest appearance on the Game Gear Micro Red, and despite the scrumptiously bite-sized proportions of the Micro, Columns still plays wonderfully, which is a real testament to the engineering, and emulation behind the Game Gear Micro (handled by Sega and M2 respectively).
What are your memories with Columns, and which mode is your favorite?
*Bonus Stage: The Game Gear Micro Red launched on 10/06/2020 in Japan for ¥4,980, and along with Columns, comes preloaded with 3 other classic Japanese Game Gear games: Last Bible, Last Bible S, and The GG Shinobi.