Columns III (Mega Play)

Columns III is a two-player puzzle game released by Sega in 1993 and running on the company’s Mega Play hardware. Players strategically drop colored blocks to create lines, vertical stacks, or diagonal formations of three or more matching pieces. Successfully clearing these combinations increases your score; failure to manage the falling blocks results in a steadily rising stack that eventually ends the game. This iteration builds upon the established Columns formula, offering a familiar yet engaging experience for returning players while remaining accessible to newcomers. Unique gameplay elements include options to rotate falling blocks and utilize an attack feature. The US version of Columns III includes public service announcements promoting drug awareness and recycling initiatives. The game is part of a larger series that began with the original Columns in 1990, and continued through several arcade and console releases; it was later ported to the Sega Mega Drive.