Columns III

Columns III
Developer(s)	Sega
Publisher(s)	Sega
Platform(s)	Arcade, Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console, Playstation Network, Xbox Live Arcade
Release date(s)	Mega Drive JP October 15, 1993 NA December 17, 1993 Virtual Console JP December 11, 2007 NA February 4, 2008 PAL May 2, 2008
Genre(s)	Retro/Puzzle
Mode(s)	Up to 5 players, simultaneously
Cabinet	Upright
Arcade system	Sega Mega Play
Display	Raster, standard resolution (320X224) 32 Colors

Columns III is a puzzle arcade game and console game. Columns III was released by Sega in 1993 and is a sequel to Columns.

Description

The game is very similar to the first game; however it features minor changes. The most notable one is that one cannot longer play by themselves, as they have to be against another opponent and win against them. New features include:

• Action Player - 'See text above'
• Story Mode a.k.a. Pyramid Columns- The player goes through levels fighting progressively harder enemies.
• 2 Extra Magical Jewels - There are 2 extra magical jewels as well as making a type of jewel vanish. (1. Lower the player's crash bar. 2. Raise the enemy's crush bar. 3. Destroy all jewels of a similar colour.)
• Flashing Jewels - Appear when the player makes a 3 or higher chain. Clearing this piece will "curse" the enemy, distorting their screen.
• 1 to 5 Players - The game has several multiplayer game modes. Five players can fight against each other in a free for all.

Game modes

Story: The player must fight the enemy opponents in order 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.

Ports

In 2002, Columns III was one of the first Sega titles launched under Sega's short-lived agreement with the RealOne Arcade download service.^[1] The Mega Drive version was released on the Wii's Virtual Console download service in Japan on December 11, 2007, in North America on February 4, 2008, and in Europe/Australia on May 2, 2008 (the first ever PAL release of the game).,The Game Will Be Release For Playstation Network And Xbox Live Arcade,Late 2011 And Early 2012 On Sega Genesis Version.

References

1. ^ Justin Calvert, “Classic Sega games coming to the PC - News at GameSpot,” GameSpot, http://www.gamespot.com/news/2897808.html.