Sega Genesis Collection - Columns Gameplay Hints (PSP)

The game takes place inside a tall well-shaped playing area, as in Tetris. Columns of three different symbols (such as differently-colored jewels) appear, one at a time, at the top of the well and fall to the bottom, landing either on the floor or on top of previously-fallen columns. Whilst a column is falling, the player can move it left and right, and can also cycle the positions of the symbols within it.

If, after a column has fallen, there are three or more of the same symbols connected in a straight line horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, those symbols disappear. The pile of columns then settles under gravity. If this causes three or more other symbols to become aligned, they also disappear and the pile settles again. This process repeats as many times as necessary. It is not uncommon for this to happen three or four times in a row - it often happens by accident when the well is becoming crowded.

Occasionally, a special column called the Magic Jewel appears. The Magic Jewel flashes with different colors and when it lands, it destroys all the jewels with the same color as the one underneath it. Like Tetris, the columns fall at a faster rate as the player progresses. The goal of the game is to play for as long as possible before the well fills up with symbols. (Wikipedia)

Gameplay Hints

Second magic jewel:
Create one row of normal jewels stacked almost to the top of the playfield. Allow a vertical space for only two of the three jewels in the next block to fit.. Watch the preview window for the next magic jewel block. When it appears, quickly move it to the top of the prepared stack. The magic jewel will eliminate the "touching" color jewels, and all of the remaining jewels will drop down, as will the single magic jewel that was off the playfield. This single magic jewel will drop down and eliminate another group of colored jewels.

10,000 bonus points:
Create one vertical column that is empty all the way to the bottom of the playfield. Watch the preview window for the next magic jewel block. Position it in a way so it falls down this column to the bottom.

Create magic jewel:
Begin game play in easy arcade mode. Fill the two columns on the far left or far right as high as possible with jewels to create a magic jewel.


Gameplay footage below: