If you’ve only played the Genesis version of Columns, then you need to track down a Game Gear and play the portable edition. It offers different options and a whole other feel to the gameplay that makes it more than just a watered-down port of its 16-bit sibling. It’s one of the best puzzle games on the Game Gear and arguably the best version of Columns overall.
Tag: Sega Enterprises
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (Game Gear)
Mickey Mouse debuted on the Game Gear in spectacular fashion, as Sega’s Castle of Illusion gave the machine a stellar platformer at launch. It also marked the start of a great handheld franchise that sparked two sequels. The original is still a great game to play and one that should be in every Game Gear owner’s library.
Global Defense
Sega wowed arcade gamers with SDI, a trackball-based shooter that had them defending the planet from enemy attack. The game was soon ported to the Master System, and while several compromises had to be made for it to work on the less-powerful hardware (and with a controller), the conversion turned out surprisingly well. It’s one that’s worth checking out.
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
Sega’s early mascot returns for his final Master System outing, released a year after his Genesis debut (and finale). A funny spoof on another Sega franchise, Shinobi World is still a fun game to play. It’s a bit on the easy side, but it’s worth checking out… if you’re willing to pay the prices it goes for nowadays.
Space Harrier (Master System)
Sega’s classic shooter Space Harrier has graced virtually every hardware platform the company made, starting with a port on the Master System. While it isn’t as good as some of the later versions because of hardware limitations, it’s still worth spending some time with. Welcome to the Fantasy Zone!