the Japanese one is easier to run because the Sphinx does not shatter when you are dropping 3 of the same color and will not pressure you when you're up high.

Sphinx (this also applies to Mummy) has a tendency to build a chain, however knowing when that piece comes is key, bonus points if that color is droughted because the sphinx doesn't know what to do in that situation other than do a breakdown of the stack, however it's easy just to spike if you have another chain setup pre-emptively because the last 2 stack far right and far left quite often at the start which makes them extremely vulnerable for spiking, 60 points should be enough to spike them no problem, but 80 is optimal because they seem to get above 10 points before you can get the chance to lock them out.

Not gonna lie, I'm pretty much considered a GOAT of the series by many although I don't really consider myself one to be quite honest.

Thanks for the breakdown on this, however I must point out that there is a difference between both versions of Columns 3 (Japanese and English)
Sphinx will knock out monocolors in the English version opposed to the Japanese version where Sphinx will not knock them out.

I just need like a consensus of what could be an official category, because I don't see Time Trial often being used (Original game Time Trial)
Essentially a 3 minute blitz to get a high of score possible. Any takers?
The leaderboard will work similarly of Arcade, your final score is based on what score you got when the clock hits 0:00