If you've been gaming as long as we have, you know that
Columns is one of
Sega's great puzzle games. Like most puzzle games, the object is simply to line up four same-colored gems -- horizontally, vertically or diagonally -- and watch them explode. Whether you're familiar with the game or not, we've got some good news: Sega is giving away the iPhone version of
Columns for free in celebration of USA's Independence Day. The app will be free starting midnight, Friday, July 3, all the way through Monday, July 6. Sega didn't specify a timezone, so we suggest you avoid downloading it if the price reads anything other than free.
Granted,
Columns Deluxe -- which includes ports of
Columns and
Puyo Pop -- is only $1.99 normally. It hasn't received terrific reviews either. But hey, it's hard to argue with
free.
{ Jul 3rd 2009 at 2:00AM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ecco6t9 @ Jul 3rd 2009 2:07AM
Now if only I could get my hands on an iphone.
Donalds5 @ Jul 3rd 2009 8:47PM
ITS FREE!!!!!!!!
Mitsuo @ Jul 3rd 2009 2:07AM
we still have this for the Sega Master System along with Outrun and Blackbelt. I also bought columns in the VC for my mom. Granted she rarely plays it, but only because she keeps forgetting about it.
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 3rd 2009 2:54AM
Yeah, I use to have this for my GameGear, that thing was sweet.
Trondheim @ Jul 3rd 2009 11:03AM
I still have my Mega Drive Genesis copy. Never played it much, but it was pretty fun.
LAZoftheTamarinds @ Jul 3rd 2009 2:13AM
Free is good!
Shiaoran @ Jul 3rd 2009 2:15AM
... How about stuff for core gamers? Or at least on platforms core gamers use.
Free Sonic 3 & Knuckles on XBLA, PSN and VC anyone?
Veras Gunn @ Jul 3rd 2009 2:28AM
Simple math, a free two dollar game hurts less than a free 5 dollar game.
Shiaoran @ Jul 3rd 2009 2:58AM
I was just kidding...
But having S3&K on XBLA, PSN and VC would already be a prize itself.
Though I wouldn't buy it. *pats his Genesis, which was being used 2 mins before this post* (my previous post made me want to play it :P)
Snowblind @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:26AM
Sonic & Knuckles is coming to XBLA soon, but you need to buy Sonic 3 seperatly to lock them on, so it'll be 800 points in total.
Bradwart @ Jul 3rd 2009 10:49AM
That's what a Genesis is for. It'll be the tallest thing ever if you stack a Sega CD, Genesis, 32X, S&K and Sonic 3, though.
whylekat @ Jul 3rd 2009 12:53PM
Yeah too bad it's impossible to find the stackable sega cd now. All you'll come across is the weak sidecar version =/
Alexander @ Jul 3rd 2009 2:25AM
so far still 1.99
WINterfang @ Jul 3rd 2009 2:47AM
Thanks SEGA, I need an Iphone but I appreciated the gesture.
Shagittarius @ Jul 3rd 2009 3:18AM
It's not free yet...
Slayer @ Jul 3rd 2009 4:01AM
Brings back memories. I can still hear that odd music playing inside my head. :)
J SizzL @ Jul 3rd 2009 4:42AM
Columns Deluxe is the only game that pops up and yeah, that's not free :(
Donalds5 @ Jul 3rd 2009 11:46AM
they kind of worded it wrong, deluxe is going to be the free one, there is no normal one, i looked high and low for it, so the Deluxe one is going to be free =D
whylekat @ Jul 3rd 2009 12:56PM
It start Friday @ midnight. So I assume they mean Saturday morning. Check tomorrow.
David @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:51AM
j
koehler83 @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:35AM
Apparently not in Canada. But thanks for celebrating Canada Day Sega!
...dicks
whylekat @ Jul 3rd 2009 1:05PM
It's a 4th of July celebration. You know.. America's independence. What does that have to do Canada??
Kogen @ Jul 3rd 2009 2:21PM
Canada Day was July 1st, that is what he is referring to.
But the company is known as 'SEGA of America' for a reason. There is no SEGA of Canada anymore.
Bonqueesha @ Jul 3rd 2009 10:39AM
Is this the same crappy port they released when iPhone 2.0 came out? If so, free isn't going to make this game any less of a cleveland steamer. It was very difficult to play with that pseudo-dpad nonsense.
TrumpetDan @ Jul 3rd 2009 12:02PM
Hey Sega, how about us G1 phone folks? Where's my friggin' free Columns? :P
whymog @ Jul 3rd 2009 12:29PM
What, you mean all 12 of you? :D
I'm kidding. I hope Android gets more love from major game devs; it's an awesome platform.
Shagittarius @ Jul 3rd 2009 12:19PM
Still not free.
Flippy Floppies @ Jul 14th 2009 12:17AM
I just checked on my Ipod touch and it isn't free yet
white_mog @ Jul 3rd 2009 1:10PM
12 midnight 7/3 was 12 hours ago. They shouldve said 12 midnight 7/4
thepenismightier @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:42PM
line up three gems
Shagittarius @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:51PM
Now when you perform the search it says free, but when you click on the search it still costs 1.99.
Donalds5 @ Jul 3rd 2009 8:46PM
ITS FREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kevin @ Jul 3rd 2009 10:27PM
Like others, on my iPhone when I search it says Free but when I select the app it says $1.99. Hmm.
Shagittarius @ Jul 3rd 2009 10:30PM
Still not free. See above.
Shagittarius @ Jul 4th 2009 2:37AM
It's FREE now!
Covarr @ Jul 4th 2009 10:06AM
Dear Joystiq: You only line up 3 in a row in Columns. Four in a row would be Dr. Mario.
funkyellowmonkey(ps3 id) @ Jul 6th 2009 5:52PM
Great stuff!
thx Sega, now hows about a port of Shenmue on the ipod touch then? :p