3RRGG Columns

The original columns for the Sega game gear is not only my favorite
game gear game, but one of my favorite hand held games of all time.
There are some Sega fans out there that will say this game is even
better than the king of all puzzle games "Tetris". Hmm, while both very
good games, I still can't place one over another. Both deliver the
goods in spades. This is one of the earliest game gear releases (it may
have been a launch game not sure), but it has stood the test of time.
Now then let's see what makes this puzzler tick.

As with most other classic puzzle games, columns does not feature a
story to go along with the "action". Instead, Sega has concentrated all
their thoughts into what would be Sega's answer to tetris, on the
handheld that was Sega's answer to the game boy. Although the Game
gear and columns may never have reached the same height of
popularity as their rivals, they still are a fine example of classic video
gaming.

Once you pop columns in, and after the Sega logo, you get to the title
screen. You can choose either single player or 2 player. 2 players
requires that you have another friend with a game gear and columns.
But upon choosing 1 player, you than have the choice of normal mode,
or flash mode. But before we begin let's go over the columns basics.

In columns the rules are simple. You drop a series of 3 blocks all
stacked in a column. You can change the order of the colors in the
column, but it will always be in the shape of a column. Match up 3 or
more colors to make them disappear. Then just see how long you can
last before the blocks reach the top and you lose. Simple to learn, and
fun to master.

Ok so lets say you picked normal mode now. Here you can chose from
10 difficulty levels starting from 0 going up to 9, which affect the speed
of the columns falling down. You can also select if you want to play
easy, normal, or hard. In easy you have 4 different colors of blocks,
normal has 5, and hard has 6. Also available is the ability to choose
from 3 different music tracks, and the ability to change the graphics of
the blocks. Originally they start out looking like shiny jewels, but can
be changed to fruits, normal blocks, card symbols, and more. As you
play, the more levels you pass the background will change behind the
playing field. Originally it starts out in the morning showing a town
behind it, but get to level 9 and it will get dark out. Cool touch. Also the
higher the level the faster the music will play.

If you choose from the main menu flash mode, you are now given an
objective. You can touch up the options to suit you liking and skill just
like in the previous mode, but now when you start you notice the
screen is already filled (higher level more rows filled) with blocks. One
block at the bottom is flashing. You have to make your way through
the other blocks by clearing them and eventually making it to the
bottom to clear the flashing piece. Once you do that you win, and you
go back to the title screen. A fun and challenging addition when played
on Hard mode, on higher difficulty levels.

Graphics wise, the game resembles columns from the genesis. Bright
colors and shiny shapes. Nothing to complain about. The game gear
version does not have artwork on the title screen like the genesis one
did, but hey it's still good.

The sound also resembles the genesis one very closely. The theme is
very classical music sounding nothing to fast, (well until you get on the
higher levels!) and overall enjoyable.

To my knowledge, there are no unlockable features to obtain. The
replay value exists in the mere fact that this is a puzzle game,
something that can honestly never be beaten. One time, I did play this
game for 5 hours straight. (I have the gg adaptor that plugs in the
wall). I also find myself playing out at least 3 nights a week before I go
to bed for about a half hour to an hour.

So there you have it, game gear's most golden treasure. I was
interested in getting the newer columns remake on that game boy
advance, but I found that this (pardon the pun) "Gem" doesn't need
(here comes another one) any "flash" to make it good. No the
gameplay is (grr another one?) "rock solid" and columns is the puzzler
of kings. There is nothing wrong with this game or specifically this
game gear version. (which because of the ability to play it anywhere,
sorry no nomad, I prefer this one to the genesis one). But is it better
than tetris? This puzzler says after much consideration... YES!

Review by: Orochi Sonic