Columns , released on the PC Engine in 1991, is a puzzle game that challenges players to arrange falling blocks of varying colors into sequences of three or more. These blocks can be aligned horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, and certain combinations score higher rewards.
The game's main objective is to create 'combos' by clearing lines, which in turn causes other blocks to drop and create new opportunities for scoring. In addition to the standard gameplay mode, there is also a 'flash' mode where players must remove a specific block from a pre-formed pile of bricks, with increasing difficulty levels determined by the number of complete rows already present.