Columns began in 1989 as a personal project by Jay Geertsen, a Hewlett-Packard software engineer who wanted to learn X11 programming on HP-UX. Colleagues ported it to the Macintosh and MS-DOS, the ports became popular, and Sega took notice. HP sold Sega non-exclusive rights and donated the money to the United Way.
Sega launched Columns in Japanese arcades in March 1990 on its System C board and brought it to the Mega Drive in Japan on 30 June 1990. Columns of three jewels fall into a tall well, and three or more matching jewels in a line, including diagonals, disappear; a rare Magic Jewel clears every jewel of one colour. The game was the first pack-in title for the Game Gear, and three Mega Drive tracks, Clotho, Atropos and Lathesis, are named after the Moirai of Greek mythology.
Japan also got MSX2, PC Engine, X68000 and Super Famicom versions. The game spawned many unofficial clones, among them Magic Jewelry for the NES.1
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | ColumnsJay Geertsen's original for HP-UX (X11); Macintosh and MS-DOS ports by HP colleagues also 1989 | Other | 1989 | — | 1 |
| NA | Columns | Arcade | June 1990 | Sega | 1 |
| NA | Columns | Genesis | September 1990 | Sega | 1 |
| NA | Columns | Game Gear | Apr 26, 1991 | Sega | 1 |
| JP | コラムスKoramusuSega System C | Arcade | March 1990 | Sega | 1 |
| JP | コラムスKoramusu | Genesis | Jun 30, 1990 | Sega | 1 |
| EU | Columns | Arcade | August 1990 | Sega | 1 |
| JP | コラムスKoramusuPack-in game for the Game Gear | Game Gear | Oct 6, 1990 | Sega | 1 |
| JP | コラムスKoramusuDeveloped by Compile and Telenet Japan | MSX2 | Dec 25, 1990 | Telenet Japan | 1 |
| EU | Columns | Genesis | 1990 | Sega | 1 |
| JP | コラムスKoramusu | TurboGrafx-16 | Mar 29, 1991 | — | 1 |
| JP | コラムスKoramusu | X68000 | Oct 16, 1991 | — | 1 |
| JP | コラムスKoramusuSuper Famicom, via the Nintendo Power service | SNES | Aug 1, 1999 | — | 1 |
| WW | ColumnsVirtual Console (Genesis version) | Wii | Dec 4, 2006 | Sega | 1 |
| WW | Sega Genesis ClassicsCompilation; also Linux, macOS, PS4, Xbox One and Switch | Windows | 2018 | Sega | 1 |
| WW | ColumnsGenesis version added to Nintendo Classics | Switch | December 2022 | Nintendo | 1 |
Also known as: コラムス JP1Koramusu JP1
Box art by region
NA Columns 
EU Columns 
JP コラムス
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
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GraphicsArcadeMega Drive/Genesis
The arcade and Mega Drive/Genesis versions are nearly identical; the home version just updates the look of the falling columns.1
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AudioGame Gear
On Game Gear the soundtrack was transposed and rearranged for the handheld's sound chip, and the visuals are more artistic and less cartoonish.1
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GameplayGame Gear
The Game Gear version lets players replace the jewels with fruit, squares, dice or playing-card suits.1
Where to play legally today
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Nintendo Switch Online Subscription
Columns (SEGA Mega Drive - Nintendo Switch Online)
Mega Drive/Genesis version
Checked: 2026-10-132nintendo.com
Reception
Game Machine listed Columns as Japan's fourth highest-grossing arcade game of 1990. Computer and Video Games gave the arcade game 87%, Mega ranked it 34th among the best Mega Drive games, and GamesRadar placed it 40th on its 2017 list of the best Genesis/Mega Drive games.1
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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