Columns

This is a homebrew port of Columns, the classic match-three puzzle game, to the Neo Geo system. The original Columns was designed by Jay Geertsen back in 1989, running on HP 9000 workstations before Sega picked it up for arcades and consoles. This particular version brings that same addictive puzzle action to SNK's hardware, likely created by a fan or enthusiast who wanted to see the game on the Neo Geo. It's a faithful conversion of the commercial game rather than a new spin, so if you've played Columns before, you'll know exactly what you're getting into here. You're presented with a vertical playing field where columns of three colored gems drop from the top one at a time. Your job is to rearrange the order of the gems in each falling column and move it left or right so that when it lands, you form groups of three or more matching gems in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Clearing gems makes room and keeps the stack from reaching the top. The game speeds up as you go, and a special 'Magic' gem can wipe out all gems of a single color when matched. It's straightforward but gets frantic quickly, especially in the later rounds. For Neo Geo collectors and puzzle fans, this homebrew fills a gap since the system didn't get an official Columns release. It's a simple, no-frills port that runs well and captures the original arcade feel. If you enjoy games like Puyo Puyo or Tetris and want to try something a little different on the Neo Geo, this is worth a spin. Just don't expect any extras or fancy presentation - it's Columns, pure and simple, and that's exactly what makes it fun.