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Columns
Developer(s)	Sega
Publisher(s)	Sega
Release date(s)	1994
Genre(s)	Retro/Puzzle
Mode(s)	Up to 5 players, simultaneously
Platform(s)	Arcade
Input	Joystick
Arcade cabinet	Upright
Arcade display	Raster, standard resolution (320X224) 32 Colors

Columns 3 (also called Revenge of Columns) is a puzzle arcade game and console game with many similarities to Tetris, which was released by Sega in 1994. It is a sequel to Columns

Contents 1 Description 2 Game Modes 3 Ports and sequels 4 See also

The game is very similar to the first game but with minor changes, the most major one is that you now no longer can play on your own, you have to be against another opponent and cause the other player to lose. Here are the new features:-

• Action Player - 'See text above'
• Story Mode - You can go through levels fighting harder and harder enemies.
• 2 Extra Magical Jewels - There are 2 extra magical jewels as well as making a type of jewel vanish. (1. Lower your crash bar, 2. Raise your enemy crush bar, 3. Destroy all jewels of a similar colour)
• Flashing Jewels - You may get these when you have done a good combo move. Match one of these to put a curse on your enemy.
• 1 to 5 Players - You can now play multiplayer with up to 5 players simultaneously.

and many more...

Some ports of the game offer alternate game modes. These include:

Story: The player must fight the enemy opponents in oder to receive the treasure in the pyramid.

2 Players: Where two players fight for victory.

3 Players: Where three players fight for victory.

2 vs 1 Players: Where two players fight on one other player for victory.

4 Players: Where four players fight for victory.

5 Players: Where five players fight for victory.

Many sequels and spinoffs were produced: Columns II: The Voyage Through Time (arcade), Columns 97' (Arcade and Saturn), Sakura Taisen Hanagumi Taisen Columns 1 and 2 (Saturn and Dreamcast), and many compilations and re-releases (Columns Arcade Collection on the Saturn, Sega Ages vol 07: Columns on the PS2) as well. Because Columns was made by Sega, versions were made available on the Sega Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega CD, Game Gear, Saturn, and Dreamcast. Additional versions of the game have also been made available on TurboGrafx-16, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation 2.

As with Tetris, Columns has been cloned many times on different computers. There was an Amiga clone called Squigs, and there is also an online Java game heavily based on it called Yahoo! towers, which allows up to eight players to compete against each other.

• Columns (video game) - Columns 1
• Magic Jewelry - the precursor of Columns.