Columns - Sega Master System

Review comments

On no! Funny-coloured jewels are falling into a box! Okay, so it's not the most exciting scenario ever, but this is a game of the "classic simplicity" type, such as Tetris and Klax.
The jewels descend in assorted blocks of three, the order of which can be changed as they fall down. When a minimum of three jewels of the same colour are placed together, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, they disappear - and the jewels above fall down to fill the gaps.
The two-player option means that the players take it in turns to lay jewels in the box, meaning that they inadvertently help each other half of the time. Of course, teamwork is important when the screen is nearly full!
Other options let you change the jewels into alternative shapes such as dice or even fruit. All this is set to a tune similar to the Hallowe'en film theme, for added atmosphere.

Staff comments

After playing this game on the Megadrive, I've become a fan: and the Master System version is excellent too. This game manages to be both soothing and completely addictive at the same time! It's easier to get to grips with than Tetris (although not quite as good overall), and offers the sort of challenge that makes me wonder why beat 'em ups are so popular. The music goes a long way to adding atmosphere, and there's nothing as satisfying as watching a carefully-planned chain reaction take place. Make sure Columns has a place in your collection - you'll be surprised how often you play it.

Although Columns sounds rather dull, it's the sort of game that you keep on coming back to time and time again because it's simple, playable and very addictive indeed. It starts off easy, but when you get to high levels the jewels fall at very high speed, and your hand-to-eye co-ordination is given a really good work-out. A special mention must go to the sound, which is one of the best tunes I've heard on the Sega. Columns might not be the most exciting game in the world, but it's a great way to unwind after you've just dispatched some big baddie with your lasers, or have kicked the heads of endless street gangs in the latest beat 'em up! Try it out - you'll be surprised at just how much fun it is!