Columns vs Trip'd
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Travel back to the ancient world of Phoenicia where sparkling, rainbow‑coloured jewels cascade down the screen. Align three or more identical jewels horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to perform miracles and clear the board. The game blends simple puzzle mechanics with a fantasy setting, offering both single‑player challenges and competitive split‑screen multiplayer. Designed for all ages, Columns delivers timeless strategy fun on modern platforms.
Trip'd is a falling‑block puzzle game where colorful alien eggs cascade from the top of the screen. Players must line up four eggs of the same color to clear them, while avoiding the dreaded 2×2 square that triggers an instant game‑over hatch. The game offers both solo play against AI and head‑to‑head matches against a friend, all under a strict time limit that adds pressure and excitement to each stage.
- Easy to learn, hard to master puzzle mechanics
- Rich ancient Phoenician visual theme
- Supports both solo and split‑screen multiplayer
- Available on Linux, PC, and Mac
- Simple yet deep gameplay
- High replayability with time‑attack mode
- Local multiplayer adds social fun
- Retro aesthetic appeals to classic gamers
- Limited visual variety beyond jewel colors
- No online multiplayer or leaderboards
- Audio may feel dated for modern players
- Limited platform availability
- No online multiplayer support
- Difficulty spikes can be frustrating for newcomers
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataColumns offers broader platform support and split‑screen multiplayer, making it the safer default; Trip'd provides a tighter, high‑pressure puzzle experience but fewer platforms.
Key differences
- •Columns runs on Linux, PC, and Mac; Trip'd platform availability not specified
- •Columns includes split‑screen multiplayer; Trip'd only local two‑player head‑to‑head
- •Columns uses a match‑3 jewel mechanic with ancient Phoenician theme; Trip'd uses a match‑4 egg mechanic with a timer‑driven loss condition
- •Columns has a PEGI 3/ESRB E rating for all ages; Trip'd’s age rating not specified
- •Columns was released in 1990, Trip'd in 1994, indicating different retro eras
Gameplay & fun factor
Trip'd adds a timer and instant‑loss squares, creating higher tension than Columns' classic match‑3.
Platform availability
Columns runs natively on Linux, PC, and Mac; Trip'd’s platform list is not provided.
Price & value
Both are paid one‑time purchases; no price differences given.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Columns supports split‑screen multiplayer; Trip'd only offers local two‑player head‑to‑head.
Content & replayability
Trip'd includes multiple difficulty levels, stage themes, and time‑attack objectives, boosting replay value.
Difficulty & accessibility
Columns is rated PEGI 3/ESRB E, indicating easy accessibility; Trip'd’s rating is unknown and has noted difficulty spikes.
Graphics & performance
No specific graphics or performance data provided for either game.
Choose Columns if…
Buyers who want cross‑platform play, easy access for all ages, and split‑screen multiplayer.
Choose Trip'd if…
Buyers seeking fast, high‑pressure puzzles with varied stages and local competitive play.
Common questions
Do either of these games support online multiplayer?
No; both only support local multiplayer (Columns split‑screen, Trip'd two‑player head‑to‑head).
Which game is more suitable for young children?
Columns, with a PEGI 3 / ESRB E rating, is explicitly rated for young players; Trip'd’s rating is not specified.
Are there any platform restrictions I should know about?
Columns runs on Linux, PC, and Mac; Trip'd’s platform availability is not listed, so it may be more limited.