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Columns (USA, Europe) (1990-06-21) (Sega Channel) Sega Mega Drive game

Columns is a tile-matching puzzle video game developed and published by Sega for the Mega Drive/Genesis. Released in 1990, it quickly became a classic in the puzzle genre. The game is set in an ancient Greek and Roman-inspired world, featuring colorful jewels that fall in vertical columns of three. Players must rotate and move these columns to align three or more jewels of the same color horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. When matched, the jewels disappear, allowing more jewels to fall from above. The goal is to prevent the columns from stacking up to the top of the screen, which would end the game.


Instructions

Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Controller
D-Pad (Directional Pad):

Left/Right: Move the falling column left or right.
Down: Accelerate the falling speed of the column.
A Button: Rotate the jewels within the column (changes the order of the three jewels).

B Button: Rotate the jewels within the column (identical to the A button).

C Button: Rotate the jewels within the column (identical to the A and B buttons).

These simple controls make the game easy to pick up, but mastering the strategy and speed required for higher levels presents a significant challenge.

 

 

 

Game category: Sega Mega Drive games

Columns and Candy Crush are both match-three puzzle games, but they differ significantly in their mechanics, aesthetics, and platform origins. Here's a detailed comparison:



Comparison

Game Mechanics:

  • Columns: Focuses on manipulating falling columns of jewels in real-time.
  • Candy Crush: Involves swapping adjacent candies on a static grid with no time pressure per move.

Pacing:

  • Columns: Fast-paced and reflex-oriented, with increasing difficulty based on speed.
  • Candy Crush: More strategic and turn-based, with varying objectives and complexity per level.

Platforms and Accessibility:

  • Columns: Originally a console game, limited to Sega hardware and later re-releases.
  • Candy Crush: Widely accessible across multiple platforms including mobile devices and social media, contributing to its massive popularity.

Graphics and Aesthetics:

  • Columns: Classic 16-bit aesthetics, simpler and more abstract.
  • Candy Crush: Modern, vibrant, and detailed with an emphasis on visual appeal and animations.

Sound:

  • Columns: Classical-inspired, more subdued sound design.
  • Candy Crush: Upbeat, whimsical sound effects and music that complement the playful visual style.

In summary, Columns is a classic, reflex-based puzzle game with a simpler design, while Candy Crush offers a more strategic, level-based experience with modern graphics and widespread accessibility. Both games have contributed significantly to the puzzle genre, each in its unique way.

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