Columns

Columns is a falling-block puzzle game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Mega Drive in 1990, originally created by Jay Geertsen in 1989. The objective is simple yet addictive: colored columns composed of three jewels fall from the top of the screen, and players must rearrange the jewels within the column to form horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines of three or more matching colors, which then disappear and award points. As the game progresses, the falling speed increases. A special "Magic Column" removes all jewels of the color upon which it lands. The game features multiple modes including a two-player competitive mode.

Game Gear

Released as the first pack-in game for the Game Gear in Japan on October 6, 1990, in North America in September 1990, and in Europe in 1991. This version featured a soundtrack transposed and rearranged due to the handheld's sound chip limitations, while the decoration was more artistically designed. A unique feature allowed players to change jewels into fruit, squares, dice, or playing card suits. A "Flash" mode tasks the player with eliminating a specific flashing jewel from a pre-formed pile. Contemporary critical reception was positive, with reviewers praising the game as a perfect showcase for the Game Gear's color screen and an addictive puzzle experience. However, some critics noted that the more laid-back pacing failed to match Tetris in compulsive engagement. The game's inclusion as a pack-in helped establish the Game Gear as a competitor to the Game Boy.