Screenshots
Columns 97
宝石方块：97
Columns 97 is a puzzle game released by Sega in 1996 for arcades. Players control columns of three colored gems falling from the top of the screen, rearranging them vertically before they land. Matching three or more gems of the same color in a row, column, or diagonal causes them to disappear. The game supports two-player simultaneous competition, allowing opponents to send disrupting blocks to each other's playfield when clearing gems. Difficulty increases as gems fall faster over time. Sega updated the formula from earlier Columns entries with refined visuals and competitive mechanics suited to the arcade environment, making it a direct and accessible gem-matching experience.
- Developer
- Sega
- Released
- 1996
- Platform
- Arcade
- Genre
- Puzzle
- Players
- 2P
- Rating
- 4.4 / 5 (3.1K)
- Last updated
Columns 97 Controls — Arcade Keyboard Keys
Default keyboard bindings for Columns 97 on our in-browser Arcade 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 |
|---|---|---|
| ↑ | Joystick Up | Move up |
| ↓ | Joystick Down | Move down |
| ← | Joystick Left | Move left |
| → | Joystick Right | Move right |
| X | Button 1 | Primary action (jump / confirm) |
| Z | Button 2 | Secondary action (attack / cancel) |
| S | Button 3 | Tertiary action |
| A | Button 4 | Quaternary action |
| Q | Button 5 | Fifth button |
| W | Button 6 | Sixth button |
| 5 | Insert Coin | Insert coin |
| 1 | 1P Start | Start / Pause |
Coin and Start are convention "Insert Coin: 5" and "1P Start: 1". Some arcade boards expect specific button mappings — check the in-game prompts on coin-up.
Rebind any key from the EmulatorJS in-game settings menu (gear icon → Controls). A connected gamepad auto-maps to the same buttons.
Columns 97 Longplay & Gameplay Videos
Watch a full playthrough of Columns 97 on Arcade before you dive in — recommended for getting a feel for the game's pacing, story beats, and difficulty curve.
Watch longplay on YouTube
"Columns 97" Arcade longplay 1996
External references
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Columns 97 released?
Columns 97 was released in 1996 for the Arcade.
Who developed Columns 97?
Columns 97 was developed by Sega, available to play in your browser on RetroGameSpace.
How many players does Columns 97 support?
Columns 97 supports up to 2 players, ideal for couch co-op or competitive sessions on the Arcade.
What type of game is Columns 97?
Columns 97 is a Puzzle game for the Arcade, playable instantly in your browser — no downloads, no installs.
How can I play Columns 97 for free?
Open this page and click "Play Now" — Columns 97 runs free in your browser via WebAssembly emulation. No account, no payment, no installer.
Do I need to download anything to play Columns 97 in the browser?
No. Columns 97 streams from a public archive into a browser-side Arcade emulator. Nothing is installed on your computer.
Can I save my progress in Columns 97?
Yes. Save states are stored in your browser (IndexedDB) per game, and you can also use any in-game save the original Arcade cartridge supported.
Does Columns 97 work on mobile devices?
Yes — the Arcade emulator runs on iOS Safari and Android Chrome. Touch controls overlay the game; landscape mode is recommended.
Is it legal to play Columns 97 this way?
RetroGameSpace is a transient caching reverse-proxy and does not host first-party copies of Columns 97. 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.
