Play Columns Iii Online

Columns III came out for the Sega Genesis in 1993, developed and published by Sega. It was part of that era where puzzle games were a solid presence on the console, a straightforward alternative to the action and platforming titles that dominated the shelves. This was the third entry, so it built on what the earlier games had established.

You control the falling trios of colored jewels, rotating them to align three or more of the same color either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to make them vanish. The main goal is to keep the playfield from filling to the top, which ends your game. Two mechanics stand out: the Flash Columns, which clear entire rows when matched, and the special jewels that appear and cause large chain reactions if you can set them off. The game starts at a gentle pace but the speed increases steadily, demanding quicker decisions. It feels satisfying to set up a big combo and watch the screen clear in a cascade of popping gems.