Columns (c) 1990 Sega.
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.

>>> TECHNICAL DETAILS
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Sega System C hardware
Main CPU : 68000 (@ 8.948862 Mhz)
Sound Chips : YM3438 (@ 7.670453 Mhz), SN76496 (@ 3.579545 Mhz)
Screen orientation : Horizontal
Video resolution : 320 x 224 pixels
Screen refresh : 60.00 Hz
Palette colors : 2048
Players : 2
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 1

>>> TRIVIA
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Released in June 1990.
April Simmonds of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada holds the official record for this game with 267,360 points on November 13, 2006.

>>> GAME UPDATES
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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.

>>> GAME SERIES
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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)

>>> GAME PORTS TO OTHER SYSTEMS
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* Consoles :
Sega Mega Drive (1990)
Sega Game Gear (1990)
Sega Master System (1990)
NEC PC-Engine (1991)
Sega Mega-CD (1992, 'Sega Classics Arcade Collection 4-in-1')
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')
Nintendo Wii (2006, 'Virtual Console' - Mega Drive version)
* Computers :
FM Towns PC (1990)
MSX2 (1990)
Sharp X68000 (1991)
FM-7 (Jun.1991)
PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (1999, 'Sega Smash Pack')

>>> OTHER GAME RESOURCES
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Game's rom.
Machine's picture.