Lost In Translation/Columns

This page is a stub for arcade games that are part of the Lost In Translation series using information based on MAME (version 0.113u2).
For an example of preferred content and layout please refer to Out Run or The Ninja Warriors.

Columns
Manufacturer	Sega
Released	1990
Control Method	8-way Joystick 1 Button(s)
Main CPU	68000 (@ 8.949 MHz)
Sound CPU	Mono YM3438 (@ 7.670 MHz) SN76496 (@ 3.580 MHz)
Video Details	Raster (Horizontal) 320 x 224 pixels 60.00 Hz 2,048 Palette colours
Screens	1
ROM Info	2 ROMs 262,144 bytes (256.00 KiB)
MAME ID	columns · columnsj · columnsu

About The Game

Columns is Sega's answer to the legendary "Tetris", the rules of Columns are simple : a column of 3 square pieces - stacked one on top of the other - drops from the top of the screen into the play area. As with 'Tetris', the column puzzle pieces can be moved left and right as they fall, but unlike "Tetris", they cannot be rotated. Instead, pressing a button will cause the order of the colored blocks in a column to shift by one position.

The object of the game is to place columns at the bottom of the pit in such a way that lines of 3 or more like-colored blocks are created (either horizontally, vertically or diagonally). When this happens, these blocks disappear, and any blocks resting upon them immediately fall onto the recently vacated space. This will often cause additional lines to be arranged, producing a 'cascade' effect. The key to a long game (and, ultimately, a high score) is to set up these cascades wherever possible.

While not achieving the same legendary status as the mighty "Tetris" (something that no puzzle game can realistically hope to achieve), the 'Columns' series has managed to garner a dedicated following of its own and is a respected example of the genre.

Trivia

Released in June 1990.

Updates

The US version is slightly different :

• 'Winners Don't Use Drugs' screen added.
• Sega logo screen during the attract mode added.
• Cocktail mode dip-switch.
• Different music.

Series

1. Columns (1990)
2. Columns II - The Voyage Through Time (1990)
3. Columns III - Revenge of Columns (1993)
4. Stack Columns (1994)
5. Super Columns (1995, Sega Game Gear)
6. Columns '97 (1997)
7. Hanagumi Taisen Columns - Sakura Wars (1998)
8. Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2 (2000, Sega Dreamcast)
9. Columns Crown (2002, Nintendo Game Boy Advance)

Cabinet and Artwork

• 

  Columns arcade cabinet.

• 

  Columns flyer.

Ports

Consoles

Sega Mega Drive (1990)

Sega Game Gear (1990)

Sega Master System (1990)

NEC PC-Engine (1991)

Sega Mega Drive (1994, "MegaGames 3in1 Vol 1")

Sega Mega Drive (1995, "6-PAK")

Sega Saturn (1997, "Columns Arcade Collection")

Nintendo Super Famicom (1999)

Sony PlayStation 2 (2003, "Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol.7")

Sony PlayStation 2 (2006, "Genesis Collection")

Sony PSP (2006, "Genesis Collection")

FM Towns Marty

Computers

MSX2 (1990)

Sharp X68000 (1991)

PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (1999, "Sega Smash Pack")

Soundtrack Releases

Album Name	Catalogue No.	Released	Publisher	Comments
COLUMNS	PCCB-00057	1991-03-21	Pony Canyon/Scitron	CD version.
Beep! Sega Megadrive Best Selection	PSCX-1018	1991-04-25	DATAM Polystar	CD version.

References

The contents of this page are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
The sources used include MAME (version 0.113u2) and history.dat (revision 1.28 - 2008-10-18).
Please see http://www.arcade-history.com for credits.