![Columns [Model SHVC-BCLJ] screenshot](images/game/47624_1.png "Columns [Model SHVC-BCLJ]")
Columns © 1999 Media Factory.
Columns is a late release of Sega’s classic tile-matching puzzle game, published for the Super Famicom by Media Factory in 1999. The game retains the original arcade-style gameplay in which players drop vertical columns of three colored jewels into a grid. The goal is to align three or more matching jewels horizontally or vertically to clear them from the board, creating chain reactions and maximizing score while preventing the screen from filling up.
GAME ID SHVC-BCLJ
Columns for Super Famicom was released on August 1, 1999 (Sunday) in Japan. This title is highly notable for its release date; 1999 was extremely late in the Super Famicom's lifespan, making it one of the final official releases for the hardware.
Gameplay Core: The game faithfully reproduces Sega’s original puzzle gameplay, featuring single-player modes including endless play and time-based challenge variants where players must clear specific target jewels.
Visuals & Audio: While visually simple compared to mid-90s releases, the game maintains a clean presentation adapted to the Super Famicom’s hardware capabilities. It includes music themes associated with the Columns series, inspired by classical references such as “Clotho,” “Lachesis,” and “Atropos.”
Late-Lifecycle Context: Releasing a 2D puzzle game on the Super Famicom in 1999 highlights its niche status during the transition to newer console generations.