Columns
A landmark puzzle game for the Sega Master System, Columns combines tight controls with engaging gameplay. Its enduring appeal lies in the perfect balance of challenge and reward.
- Developer
- SEGA
- Platform
- Master System
- Genre
- Puzzle
- Players
- 2P
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 (2.4K)
- Last updated
Columns Controls — Master System Keyboard Keys
Default keyboard bindings for Columns on our in-browser Master System emulator. Plug in a USB or Bluetooth gamepad to auto-detect mappings, or rebind any key from the emulator settings menu.
| Keyboard | Console button | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| ↑ | D-Pad Up | Move up |
| ↓ | D-Pad Down | Move down |
| ← | D-Pad Left | Move left |
| → | D-Pad Right | Move right |
| X | 1 | Primary action (jump / confirm) |
| Z | 2 | Secondary action (attack / cancel) |
| Enter | Pause | Start / Pause |
Rebind any key from the EmulatorJS in-game settings menu (gear icon → Controls). A connected gamepad auto-maps to the same buttons.
Columns Longplay & Gameplay Videos
Watch a full playthrough of Columns on Master System before you dive in — recommended for getting a feel for the game's pacing, story beats, and difficulty curve.
Watch longplay on YouTube
"Columns" Master System longplay
Columns Cheat Codes
1 community-curated cheats for Columns. Tick any to activate them automatically when you click "Play with cheats" — or copy a code into your own emulator.
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Level Select
00C6-99XX
External references
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Columns?
Columns was developed by SEGA, available to play in your browser on RetroGameSpace.
How many players does Columns support?
Columns supports up to 2 players, ideal for couch co-op or competitive sessions on the Master System.
What type of game is Columns?
Columns is a Puzzle game for the Master System, playable instantly in your browser — no downloads, no installs.
How can I play Columns for free?
Open this page and click "Play Now" — Columns runs free in your browser via WebAssembly emulation. No account, no payment, no installer.
Do I need to download anything to play Columns in the browser?
No. Columns streams from a public archive into a browser-side Master System emulator. Nothing is installed on your computer.
Can I save my progress in Columns?
Yes. Save states are stored in your browser (IndexedDB) per game, and you can also use any in-game save the original Master System cartridge supported.
Does Columns work on mobile devices?
Yes — the Master System emulator runs on iOS Safari and Android Chrome. Touch controls overlay the game; landscape mode is recommended.
Is it legal to play Columns this way?
RetroGameSpace is a transient caching reverse-proxy and does not host first-party copies of Columns. Game files are fetched on demand from publicly-accessible archives. You are responsible for compliance with your local laws and the bring-your-own-ROM principle.
